What are the best exterior siding options and costs?
The right siding material can dramatically improve the curb appeal and exterior appearance of your home. What’s more, updating or upgrading the siding on your home adds significant value and safeguards your family from normal to harsh weather conditions. Siding also protects the expensive materials used to build your home. In this article, we will review a few different types of siding and highlight what makes these siding materials ideal for your home. So, when you’re ready to invest in new siding for your home, you will be equipped to make an informed decision. Of course, our experts here at Bayview Roofing and Siding are always available to answer your questions and concerns about siding.
Vinyl Siding
Ninety percent of the siding we install on homes is made of strong, durable vinyl. Vinyl is made from a sturdy polyvinyl chloride plastic, also known as PVC. Unlike wood, this vinyl won't rot, fade or flake. In our industry, the thicker the vinyl, the better the vinyl. For this reason, we only use thicker levels of vinyl to ensure our customers’ homes are well protected. This is especially important here at the beach, where homes are exposed to strong winds.
Vinyl Siding from a Respected Name
When it comes to vinyl siding, the brand we generally recommend is CertainTeed. CertainTeed's vinyl siding stands out as a superior choice due to its unparalleled durability, exceptional weather resistance, and the vast array of colors it comes in, ensuring long-lasting beauty and protection. Vinyl siding can come in different styles such as horizontal or shingle. The most popular horizontal siding styles are Clapboard, Beaded, and Dutch Lap. Shingle vinyl siding is also very popular as it has that beach shack cedar look. The shingle vinyl siding that our clients most prefer is Cedar Impressions by CertainTeed. This siding features vertical lines in each individual shingle which are visually impressive when installed correctly.
Additional Benefits of Vinyl Siding
Another reason our vinyl siding is one of the best siding materials around is it can be insulated with a backing, giving it an R2 rating. R-value measures the thermal resistance of the siding, indicating its ability to resist heat flow; a higher R-value signifies better insulation and greater effectiveness in maintaining indoor temperature. Additionally, insulated siding has extra protection and will show less dents over time from the neighborhood kid’s wild curve balls.
Here are some other reasons you might want to consider investing in vinyl siding:
- Cost effectiveness – Vinyl siding is relatively inexpensive compared to other materials such as wood or cement siding that cost more.
- Long-lasting beauty – Vinyl siding never needs to be painted. Most other siding materials will need to be painted at some point.
- Low maintenance – Vinyl siding requires minimal upkeep. The slick nature of this material can be easily cleaned with water.
Fiber Cement Siding
The other type of siding material we recommend to homeowners is fiber cement siding from JamesHardie. This revolutionary siding, trim, and backer board material is made up of high-performance fiber cement. HardiePlank siding is flexible, durable, and offers the appearance of natural wood without any of the associated drawbacks.
When it comes to providing stylish siding, JamesHardie doesn’t disappoint. You can choose a home exterior color from their catalog or choose a Sherman Williams’ custom paint color for your home. These colors are baked right into the cement using a patented Baked-on ColorPlus Technology at the factory to produce a truly stunning home exterior. If you choose a custom color from Sherwin Williams, that will be applied as paint, not baked on. Because this renowned manufacturer offers so many incredible options, we recommend scheduling a no-obligation consultation with one of our team members for assistance.
How Does the Cost of Fiber Cement Siding Compare to Other Materials?
Fiber cement siding is a strong, high-quality product. You get what you pay for in this case. How does HardiePlank cement siding stack up against other materials you might be considering for the exterior of your home? HardiePlank is:
- Equal or less expensive than hardboard
- Equal or less expensive than composite siding
- Less expensive than synthetic stucco
- Less expensive than brick
- More expensive than vinyl
Cedar Siding
Last, but certainly not least, of the siding materials we at Bayview Roofing and Siding proudly offer is cedar siding. Cedar siding is inherently resistant to decay, insects, and rot, contributing to a longer lifespan and reduced maintenance requirements. The distinct and timeless beauty of cedar lends a warm and inviting aesthetic to any home, enhancing curb appeal. Additionally, cedar has excellent insulation properties, providing energy efficiency and potentially lowering heating and cooling costs.
Weighing the Cost of Cedar Siding Versus Other Materials
Cedar siding is often considered a premium option, and its cost tends to be higher compared to some other siding and exterior materials. Brick, synthetic stucco, and fiber cement siding generally fall into a similar price range as cedar, offering durability and aesthetic appeal but require professional installation, which can contribute to overall costs. Hardboard and composite siding may be more budget-friendly alternatives, but they can be susceptible to moisture-related issues over time. While the initial cost of cedar siding may be higher, its natural beauty and long-lasting qualities more than justifies the investment for homeowners seeking a timeless and durable exterior finish.
Learn More Today
Any of these top-notch siding products, when paired with expert installation, guarantee long-lasting beauty and protection for your home’s exterior. If you’d like to learn more regarding JamesHardie fiber cement siding, CertainTeed vinyl siding, cedar siding, and other siding options we at Bayview Roofing and Siding offer, get in touch with us today.
