Siding Colors and Materials

There once was a time when homeowners would adventure outside, every two to three years, and repaint the exterior of their home. Time after time they were noticing that the new paint just wasn’t lasting as long as they had hoped for. What could save these poor homeowners time and hard earned money? If you find yourself feeling like one of these homeowners, then home siding installation might be the answer for you.

Choosing the siding that is right for your home is like selecting a jacket that will protect you from wind, rain, and drastic temperatures. Siding refers to a material that is applied to the exterior of a structure as a finishing surface. Siding is also an important component of the design of your home. When selecting siding certain things must be reviewed. Understanding the architectural design of your home, characteristics of materials and the local weather and lifestyle differences are very crucial to selecting the proper siding.

Climate plays a serious role in home siding. For example, homes in the Northwest or Mid-Atlantic are faced with severe weather extremes, going from hot, humid summers to cold winters. In climates as such, stucco construction does not hold up well. To adjust to the local surroundings, homes there tend to have brick exteriors, or composite or vinyl siding, resistant to wood rot and easily maintainable.

Today there exist an assortment of siding materials in various designs and colors. The most commonly used materials include wood, aluminum, steel, vinyl, and masonry. Wood siding offers a very beautiful look to a home. With the proper surface treatment, the wood can be protected from warping, decay, and insect infestation. Masonry siding, on the other hand, tends to be relatively low in maintenance. Masonry siding includes brick, stone, cement and stucco materials. It is often a bit pricy, but the result is a long-lasting, non flammable exterior.

Aluminum and steel siding are the most common metal sidings used for homes. They come in a variety of colors and patterns and they are reasonably priced. Steel siding usually cost more then aluminum, but it is also more durable and it last longer. Homes that are faced with harsh hailstorms will benefit from steel siding.

Vinyl siding is very popular among residential housing. It doesn’t blister, peel, rot or rust, but it may fade. The coloring of vinyl goes all the through the piece of material. Vinyl is non-combustible, but high heat temperatures may cause the material to melt, bend or sag.