Compared with windows or roofing, not much attention is given to siding. Homeowners think of siding mostly in terms of the aesthetic value it can bring to the home. And without a doubt, siding can, and does help add character to a home’s exteriors – but that’s not all siding is good for.

In this e-book series, we discuss everything you need to know about siding: what it is, why your home needs it, and the different siding options available on the market.

Finally, we provide you with useful tips to help you choose what’ll work for you. We also narrow down our recommendations to make your job of choosing the right type of siding for your home (and your needs) so much easier.

First things first: What is siding?

Siding is the material used to cover the exterior of your home. Installed correctly, it can make quite an impact on your home’s exterior aesthetics, doing much to boost its overall visual appeal. When it comes to siding, however, looks aren’t the be-all and end-all. In fact, there are quite a number of important considerations that also ride on the type of siding that you get.

Why does siding matter?

A home, just like the human body, needs protection from the elements. Stripped of its outer armor, a home would be highly vulnerable to the impact of extreme weather – think snow, cold, heat, winds, storms, and hail, to name some. Without the protection often provided by the installation of appropriate siding, your home’s structural integrity is bound to suffer, leading to possibly disastrous results.

PART I - INTRODUCTION: WHY SIDING MATTERS

Other than protecting the home’s structural integrity, siding is also meant to provide excellent insulation. Most homeowners know how important insulation is in helping us save on energy costs. Siding plays a huge role in preventing heat and cold from entering the home – or escaping it – as the case may be. During summer, siding prevents heat from passing through the walls and turning the home into an oven. Good siding can eliminate or reduce the need for artificial means of cooling the home. The inverse is true during the winter, when siding can prevent heat from escaping.

On top of this, siding prevents moisture from building up and destroying your abode’s walls and foundation. Most problems that require immediate repairs are caused by moisture. As long as your siding is installed correctly and well maintained, there ought to be less repair work needed.

Now that you know why siding’s important, your brain could be running a mile a minute as you mull over what type of siding to use on your home. In the past, siding was made of only one material: wood. Today, a wide variety of materials are available – a fact which, unfortunately, can only make picking out just one material over the others a tad more complicated. In the next part of this series, we discuss further the most common siding material options, and provide a brief description of each type to help the uninitiated.

PART I - INTRODUCTION: WHY SIDING MATTERS

In Part I, we discussed the importance of siding. In essence, siding not only serves to boost your home’s appearance (and value), it also keeps your home structurally solid and saves you money on energy costs to boot.

However, with the different types of siding materials available on the market today, it can be difficult to decide which best suits your needs. In this post, we delve into the most common siding materials available today, and go over some of their pros and cons.

WOOD

Wood siding is typically the first choice among the majority of homeowners, especially options made of solid wood. Wood siding has good insulation properties and exudes quality. What’s more, many are treated with fire-retardant chemicals for additional protection.

However, solid wood siding is expensive and difficult to maintain. While some wood siding is available pre-finished, some isn’t – so you’ll need to cough up some serious cash to complete the finishing work. Keep in mind, too, that paint tends to fade, sometimes even in as little as a year, which means that you will need to repaint often. And, with sustainability being of primary concern these days, wood siding gets the thumbs-down for not being exactly environment friendly; dozens of trees need to be cut down annually just to manufacture wood siding.

FIBER-CEMENT

Fiber-cement siding enjoys high popularity mostly because it’s mainly manufactured to resemble masonry. A less expensive alternative to actual stone or brick, fiber-cement requires very little maintenance, and is fire- and termite-resistant.

The downside to this type of material is that it doesn’t handle moisture well. On top of that, the fiber component in this material can cause health problems if inhaled.

PART 2 - A RUNDOWN OF DIFFERENT SIDING MATERIALS

VINYL

Because of its affordability, versatility, and ease of maintainance, vinyl siding has become one of the most popular choices in the United States. However, while many choose it for their homes because of the wide variety of colors and styles available, some remain unconvinced by its “plastic look.” Vinyl siding is also prone to contracting and warping, compromising quality over time.

STEEL

Steel siding is arguably the best available material on the market today. Steel is highly durable – it can protect your home from all types of weather. Steel siding is competitively priced and comes in an amazing variety of designs. Apart from being fire- and termite-resistant, steel siding is treated to prevent rust.

PART 2 - A RUNDOWN OF DIFFERENT SIDING MATERIALS

The only downside to steel siding is the amount of energy it takes to manufacture. However, as the material can be recycled, steel is considered an environment-friendly material despite the demanding manufacturing process it undergoes.

There are other types of siding materials, but the ones discussed above are the most basic – the ones most commonly installed in US homes. Should you be interested in other materials, make sure to research on the pros and cons of each before making your decision. Siding is built to last, so siding replacement is not often necessary. Which is why, when you do have it replaced, it’s imperative that you make the right choice. What do we recommend? If it’s not yet obvious at this point, you’ll find out in last part of this series, so stay tuned!

PART 2 - A RUNDOWN OF DIFFERENT SIDING MATERIALS

In the previous part of this series, we introduced the most common siding materials and some of their pros and cons. If you’re still confused about what type of material is best for your home, some tips on factors to consider and a good recommendation will likely point you in the right direction.

COST

Siding is used to cover the entire exterior of a home. Because it’s meant to cover a large area, siding replacement (or a new installation) will certainly cost a lot. You’ll need to consider the amount of siding you’ll need, and include installation and finishing costs in your budget as well. Our tip? Go for siding that is already finished, such as steel siding.

DURABILITY

Because siding costs can eat up a huge chunk of money, you naturally want it to last as long as it possibly can. If you’d like to get the most mileage for your money, you’ll need to choose the material that is the most durable and yet, easy to maintain.

DESIGN

Everybody wants a beautiful home – and siding will definitely boost the home’s appearance. You’ll need to choose siding that’s available in a design that best suits your home’s architectural style and your personal preferences. Some materials, such as steel, can be manufactured so that they have a wood, brick, or stone design.

EASE OF MAINTENANCE

A certain siding may look beautiful, but if you’re constantly doing repairs, then you’ll end up spending more than you might have originally planned. The solution: pick a material that requires little to no maintenance to save yourself the grief.

PART 3 - TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHOOSING SIDING MATERIALS

What do we recommend?

Only one material meets all the above qualities – steel. Steel is durable, cost-effective, and is available in a wide variety of designs. Steel siding is easy to maintain. In fact, you won’t need to do any repair work unless the siding’s been scratched or damaged. If you’re looking for the most cost-effective material, it’ll be tough to find another material that can outdo steel.

PART 3 - TIPS & RECOMMENDATIONS FOR CHOOSING SIDING MATERIALS

Jones & Associates

3801 Globe Ave. Lubbock,TX 79404

806-686-1380(800) 658-2060

TheJonesBoys.com