How to Choose the Right Siding Materials
Choosing the right siding material is an important part of keeping you, your family, and your home safe. The crazy mid-Missouri weather is no stranger to our homes. That means having siding that can handle all of it can make your life so much easier. Our experts are here to help walk you through the process of choosing the right siding and covering all of the information you need to know about what siding is available.
Vinyl Siding Materials
Vinyl siding is the most popular form of siding in the United States. It is popular for 3 main reasons. First, it’s typically the most cost effective option. Second, it lasts for a very long time. In fact, vinyl siding typically lasts around 60 years with little to no cleaning or maintenance.
Vinyl Variety
Another reason for the popularity of vinyl siding is the diveristy of the siding itself. Since the siding is a synthetic material it is available in a wide variety of colors and styles. The wide variety of this siding sets it apart from traditional siding materials. Plus, since the color is “baked” into the material, you never have to worry about it fading. And, if you decide you want a different color, a few coats of paint can easily be applied to the siding. Keep in mind that if you paint your siding, it may require additional maintenance to keep the paint vibrant over time.
Composition
Vinyl siding is most commonly manufactured with polyvinyl chloride (PVC). Around 80% of the siding is comprised of PVC while the other 20% is made up of a mixture of dyes, gloss, and other materials to provide impact resistance, color, texture, and flexibility. Another benefit of the synthetic composition of PVC is that is chlorine based which makes it inherently difficult to set on fire.
Wood Siding Materials
Cedar wood siding looks great on a home. But, cedar wood siding isn’t what it used to be. Over the past 40 years the way wood siding is sourced has changed. In an industry-wide effort to prevent deforestation most cedar siding manufacturers have started to adopt using young, fast growing cedar trees. These fast gowing trees produce a lower quality wood because of the speed of their growth. Since the wood quality isn’t as good as older cedar, using it as the siding on your home can cause a range of different issues.
Alternative Wood Siding Materials
Wood siding can make a house truly stand out and look fantastic. At Expert Roofing & Exteriors we know that. That’s why we’ve teamed up with CertainTeed. Our partnership with CertainTeed allows us to offer Cedar Impressions Sawmill Shingles. Cedar Impression Shingles are made of a high quality polymer and look like traditional wood siding. However, since they are made of a polymer, they don’t have the same negative impacts that wood siding materials typically have.
Wood Siding vs. Cedar Impressions Sawmill Shingles
At Expert Roofing & Exteriors it is part of our customer commitment to always be honest and up front with our customers. That’s why we want to address some of the concerns that can arise from using traditional wood siding. Modern cedar siding has 4 main issues that can lead to higher lifetime costs for the homeowner. Below is a outline of those issues, and how Cedar Impressions Sawmill Shingles compare.
Issue #1
One of the most frusturating problems with cedar siding is that the wood can rot. When wood comes into contact with water, or even moisture from humidity, it tends to shrink and swell. The shrinking and swelling causes peeling paint, rot, warp and cracking. Living in a climate that experiences the full spread of seasons and humidity, traditional wood can require a lot of maintenance.
Cedar Sawmill Shingles do not rot because of their polymer construction.
Issue #2
Painted wood will not hold is vibrancy for a long period of time. Due to shrinking and swelling from weather changes, the paint tends to begin to chip and peel faster. That means repainting the home will become more frequent. In fact, nearly all maintaince costs associated with wood siding tend to be higher than alternatives.
You will never have to paint your Cedar Impressions siding. It will look just as vibrant 10 years down the road as they do the day we put them on.
Issue #3
Since wood is a natural material some animals tend to be attracted to it. Pests that are often drawn to wood can cause some serious issues with your home. There are ways to combat these pests. But, those methods usually involve additional chemical treatments which can be hazardous to your health.
Cedar Sawmill Shingles are made of a polymer so they do not attract pests. Not only does that prevent pests in general, but it also prevents the need to treat the exterior of your home with dangerous chemicals.
Issue #4
Wood siding can introduce your home to a variety of chemicals. Many different treatments are required to keep cedar siding looking vibrant, repelling water, and prevent bug infestations. Those chemicals harm the land around you and can seep into your home.
Cedar Impressions are made with a blend of environmentally safe materials. No harmful chemicals are part of siding itself. And, because of the composition of the siding it needs no chemical treatment.
Stone Siding Materials
Stone siding can offer outstanding curb appeal and add character to almost any home. Not only does it look fantastic, but it is also a smart investment. According to a study done by Remodeling Magazine, stone has one of the highest returns on investment (92%) of all home remodeling projects. But, traditional natural stone is expensive. It’s also heavy and can add unnecessary strain to the structure of the home.
Introducing STONEfaçade – Stone Veneer from CertainTeed
Our partnership with CertainTeed allows us to offer their entire catalog of siding sloutions to our mid-Missouri customers. With that partnership, we are proud to offer STONEfaçade which is a stone veneer siding solution. CertainTeed’s stone veneer is molded from individually selected natural stones.
Using a patented process the stone vaneer panels are able to mimic the irregular patterns and varied colors of hand-laid stone. With a unique handapplied brushstroke technique the STONEfaçade components have infinite tonal variations just like natural stone. Plus, perhaps one of the best features of stone veneer is that it can be maintained easily. By simply using a soft bristle brush and a bucket of soapy water you can have your siding looking brand new for years to come. And, it requires no regular repainting, recaulking, tuckpointing or sealing.
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Free Resources
Picking the right siding is a big deal. It’s a large investment, can effect the value of your home, and protects your home from the outside elements. That’s why staying informed is so important. At Expert Roofing & Exterirors it is part of our customer commitment to help you make the best decision possible.
Our team of siding installation experts have put together some free resources to help you make the best siding decision possible. We cover the siding installation process, siding maintenance tips and tricks, and we answer some of the most frequently asked questions.
Have a question we haven’t already answered, or looking to get your risk-free quote? Simply give us a call at (573) 567-3177 or fill out our contact form by clicking here.
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(573) 567-3177
dblue@discoverere.com
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