As spring draws near, so does the ideal season for both installing new siding on your house and putting it up on the market. Even if you’re planning to stay for years, new siding increases your home’s value and protects it from the elements. Consider your options based on price, durability and attractiveness to settle on the right choice.
Wood Siding
For the best balance of cost and durability, try classic wood board and batten or shiplap siding. Wood is not as tough against insects or moisture compared to stone or vinyl, but it is durable as long as you keep it stained, sealed or painted. The need to paint and the readiness of the wood to hold a new coating layer makes it easy to change the color of your home on a regular basis. It does cost more than vinyl and fiber-cement products but lasts longer than both with proper care.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is the most inexpensive siding available today and offers a wide range of colors, patterns and styles. However, it’s also known for being one of the least durable siding materials. It is excellent at resisting termites and other home-damaging insects and won’t rot, making it a good choice in the south. It’s the best option if you’re trying to sell your home in a hurry this spring because the light weight helps installation go quickly.
Thin slices of real brick are attached to a durable backing board and the resulting siding is known as brick veneer. It’s a durable and somewhat costly way to get the look of brick without committing to a new home or a huge exterior remodeling project.
Brick Veneers
A single layer of brick is attached to a steel or wooden frame and the resulting siding is known as brick veneer. It’s a durable and more cost-efficient way to get the look of brick without committing to a new home or a huge exterior remodeling project. This option is also a better insulator than solid brick. It’s great for a luxury look that requires little maintenance.
Fiber-Cement Products
For a balance of the benefits of wood and vinyl, try fiber-cement siding and exterior boards. The flat and large panels are often used as modular siding to give homes a sleek and modern look that is very different from the usual vertical or horizontal lines of board siding. Fiber-cement is affordable, offers fire-resistance and doesn’t attract bugs, but it can still rot if it’s installed where moisture becomes trapped between it and the wall.
Still not sure which type of siding you prefer for your home? Start with your budget. Many homeowners underestimate the cost of labor and installation for siding, which can cost as much as the materials themselves or even more depending on the height and layout of your home. Get in touch with a professional roofing company in Atlanta here at Rosie’s Roofing for more help making the decision before spring comes.
