What are the Pros and Cons of Fiber Cement Siding?
What is Cut Fiber Cement Siding and What are its Benefits? Fiber cement siding is a building material that has … Read More →
Many people prefer siding over other solutions when it comes to exterior wall protection. In fact, according to one source, vinyl siding alone accounted for 27% of new homes started in 2017. So if you need to carry out renovations to your current property and may be thinking about siding as a viable option, what factors do you need to take into account?
Siding will play a crucial role in helping protect your home from the elements. But it’s not just practical, as your choice of siding could have a particular effect on appearance. There are many different materials available in a range of colors and styles.
Siding is effectively a form of cladding. It can form the first line of defense against heavy rain, snow, strong wind, and that unrelenting sun. Additionally, it can protect your investment in unpredictable times of ever-changing climate.
Some forms of siding can also be great insulators that will help you maintain the interior temperature of your home through the various seasons. With this layer of insulation, you may be able to reduce some of your energy bills, thereby saving money on your household expenditure.
If you’re getting ready to sell your property and want to spruce it up for those would-be buyers, then upgrading your siding may be a great idea. Choose from a range of colors and textures to make your property stand out from its neighbors.
Further, certain types of siding require less maintenance than others. It pays to compare these types to see which will meet your requirements, especially if you’d rather not spend too much on ongoing upkeep.
When you think about installing siding, consider the various types available.
Vinyl siding panels are probably the most popular, as indicated by the above survey. It is made from a highly durable, synthetic plastic material known as PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and is easy to install.
Simply cut the siding to fit with tin snips and drive a nail through to the wood. Cut edges should be covered with corner posts, or the next panel, and a chalk line should be used to mark intervals every 16 inches.
As it is so popular, vinyl tends to be the most affordable solution for homeowners. It is also quite easy to maintain, and you can expect it to last a long time. Look for a wide range of styles, textures, and colors, and this should make it relatively easy to match your chosen decor or theme.
Metal siding is available in zinc, steel, or aluminum. It is very strong and does not require much maintenance. It is also resistant to fire, bugs, and termites and very flexible, so you can shape it according to your wishes or the unusual design of your property.
Wood siding can be found in two different types — natural or engineered. Natural wood siding is more costly and will require maintenance as time passes. Still, it’s probably the most environmentally friendly of all products and looks great.
Engineered wood is made from a wood composite. You may find fiber or plastic elements within this construction, making it more durable than the natural wood alternative. For this reason, it’s becoming quite popular, especially as it may require less maintenance.
Brick siding is highly durable and can be sourced from granite, slate, or limestone. It is resistant to harsh weather, relatively easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly. Still, it’s more challenging to install and on the expensive side.
Fiber cement siding is another composite made from cellulose or wood pulp materials. It can be made to mimic the appearance of stone or wood and is very durable.
Fiber cement siding is becoming increasingly popular due to its strengths and the fact that it does not rot. It looks good and is available in a variety of colors.
Stucco has been around for generations and remains popular. It’s made from aggregates, water, lime, or cement and is very resistant. Nevertheless, installing each piece of siding might take more effort, which may add to the cost.
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As you can see, there are many types of siding, each with advantages and disadvantages. As you figure out how to proceed, you will still need to think about certain factors.
If your home’s location is vulnerable to strong weather conditions, you must ensure that the material you choose can cope.
Some properties may be elevated and in the face of the prevailing wind or exposed to the noonday sun. This may rule out some types of siding, especially if you want to keep your maintenance costs as low as possible.
When you narrow down your choices, you need to get a quote from an experienced contractor so that you can compare costs side by side. If you have a specific budget for this work, you’ll be able to see which one is best suited.
It’s no secret that some types of siding will require a lot of maintenance, although they may have certain benefits that outweigh that downside.
Still, you need to ensure that your home looks good at all times and that your siding can always provide the first line of defense for its interior.
Certain types of siding cost a lot more than others, so you may want to calculate your value for money. How long do you intend to stay in the property, and will you be able to get the value of your investment back in any upcoming sale?
It may be more challenging to install certain types of siding when moisture levels are particularly high. So talk with your installer to see what they recommend first.
Many people want to reduce the size of their carbon footprint as much as possible, which may require significant effort to make their homes sustainable. In this case, certain types of siding are more ecologically friendly than others when it comes to the sourcing of materials.
Siding can also help with insulation to give your home a boost in terms of energy efficiency.
You may be interested in what it takes to install certain types of siding, such as vinyl. You will certainly need the correct tools, such as a utility knife and a snap lock punch.
Siding must always be installed over a flat surface, so you may need to line the walls with sheets of foam board to present a flat nailing surface. You can cut each piece of siding with tin slips and begin work with starter strips.
Vertical siding will contain various nail slots, where you should add your roof nails. When you nail into the center of the slot, this will take into account that it expands and contracts with weather conditions.
From there, you can attach each piece of siding, making sure that the bottom lip hooks under the top edge of the starter strips. Overlap the pieces of siding as you work, and when it comes to obstacles such as windows and doors, you will also have to deal with furring strips and other features.
Don’t underestimate the amount of time it may take to install this or any other type of siding. Unless you have experience, ability, patience, and a lot of time, call the experts instead.
Whether you want to replace existing siding or start from scratch with a completely new type of home protection, weigh up all the pros and cons before you begin. Then, when you’re ready to call in the experts, get in touch with JET Contracting, a highly experienced roofing contractor.
JET has been operating throughout Northeast Georgia for many years, we believe in delivering top-quality products at the highest level of service. No job is too big or too small for the experts at JET, so if you’re ready to install siding on your property, get in touch with our team of experts today for further advice.
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