Pros & Cons For All Of Our Siding Options

Long used in commercial buildings, cement board siding is gaining popularity with homeowners, too. Here are some pros and cons of each type.

Durability. It tends to last a long time. Some brands come with a 50-year warranty.

Resistance. Cement board siding offers great protection from fire, insects, and strong storms. Hailstorms have nothing on this siding.

Versatility. This class of siding can be made to look like many other kinds of siding materials. Additionally, you can select virtually any color.

Cost. Cement board siding is expensive to install. It is very heavy – almost five times what vinyl siding weighs – and thus demands a more intensive installation process.

Maintenance. This is not maintenance-free siding. You’ll have to repaint it occasionally, likely around every 15 years.

Installation. Vinyl siding has a lower labor cost as it is easier to install.

Color. This is a no-fuss option for those who want to change the external appearance of their house, and keep it that way for years. There is no paint, so there is no chipping or flaking.

Fading. The sun and elements are punishing forces, and over time, they may dull the color of your vinyl siding. However, in recent years there have been great improvements in color retention.

Dents and cracks. Severe cold, like we experience in Minnesota, can cause vinyl siding to become brittle. This, in turn, makes cracking more prevalent. And heat from your grill could cause the siding to warp or melt, so don’t keep it too close to the house.

Water. Vinyl siding is water-resistant, not watertight. Make sure that your home is wrapped in a waterproof material that goes behind the siding. This should protect your home from the elements.

Metal Siding

Pros

Low maintenance. Once the metal siding is installed, it requires very little maintenance, especially in harsh winter climates like ours.

Moisture control. Metal does not absorb moisture, so you won’t have any problems with mold or fungi.

Insect-resistant. You won’t find any termites eating away at your metal siding. In fact, you won’t find any insects residing in your metal siding.

Fire resistance. This is especially important in areas with frequent forest fires or lightning strikes.

Cons

Dents. With aluminum siding, dents are a potential issue. Even a stone thrown from a lawnmower can cause a dent that is difficult to repair.

Color matching. If you ever have to replace a piece of metal siding, color matching can be very difficult. Steel generally holds its color better than aluminum, but if steel is scratched, you have to make sure to fix it right away to avoid rust.

Cost. Metal siding – especially steel – is heavy and more difficult to install, which results in higher labor costs. However, the long life expectancy helps to offset the initial cost.

Cedar Siding

Pros

Insulation. Cedar siding is a great insulator and can help to protect your home from thermal heat loss.

Beauty. This is an attractive material that works on a wide range of architectural styles.

Ease of work. Cedar siding is easy to cut, glue, and stain, making small repairs easier than other types of siding.

Cons

Discoloration. Both water and iron can cause undesirable stains on your cedar siding.

Mildew. Cedar siding is susceptible to mildew. Cleaning, however, is fairly easy.

Regardless of what kind of siding you choose, be sure to consult a professional siding contractor before undertaking the job. All American Restoration can partner with you through the process.

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