13 December 2007

5 Distinct Characteristics of Vinyl Siding Compared with Other Siding Materials that Beautify Your Home

A vinyl siding is mostly preferred by many homeowners for certain reasons.  Compared to other siding materials, it is cheaper in cost, it has lots of varieties to choose from, it is durable depending on quality type, it is cheap and easy to maintain, but it is prone to cracking and premature failure.

Choosing siding materials can be a headache.  There are always pros and cons for every siding material, but a vinyl siding has become popular despite its disadvantages as it presents a lot of benefits.  Here are some characteristics that differentiate a vinyl siding from other siding materials:

It is cheaper in cost

A vinyl siding is cheaper compared to other siding materials such as wood and cement fiber.  Though cheaper in general, vinyl sidings also come in different prices, depending on the specifications and quality of the vinyl.  There are really cheap vinyl sidings, but these are more prone to cracking and they require replacements more often.  The thicker ones, on the other hand, which are more expensive, are more durable and require less maintenance.  Although it is not very easy to install a vinyl siding, its installation by a siding contractor is not that expensive compared to other siding materials, especially brick and stone siding, which are a lot more complicated to put up.

It has lots of variety to choose from

Among the other siding materials, vinyl siding has the most variety you can choose from when  it comes to colors, sizes, thickness, types and even quality, making it popular to many homeowners.  Although other siding materials, such as cement siding, are catching up with variety availability, vinyl sidings are still preferred by most homeowners to match the color and theme of their houses.

It is durable depending on quality type

While the cheaper types of vinyl siding are not very dependable, there are more expensive types and brands that are more durable.  These vinyl sidings are usually less vulnerable compared to those of wood sidings.  Wood sidings easily rot, warp, and crack.  Cement sidings as well as brick and stone sidings are the more durable types of siding materials.  However, proper maintenance must be observed to prolong their functionality.

It is cheap and easy to maintain

All sidings need to be maintained to make it last longer and look great on your house all the time.  Although cement fiber siding does not almost need any maintenance, vinyl and also aluminum siding require lesser maintenance and are cheaper to maintain than wood, brick, and stone sidings.  Wood sidings require a lot of maintenance as they easily rot and they need constant repainting due to crackings caused by weather differences.  Brick and Stone sidings also need constant mortar repairs, which are expensive. Aluminum sidings need very minimal maintenance just like vinyl sidings.  They need to be repaired only when dented in case of aluminum sidings or when cracked in case of vinyl sidings.

It is prone to cracking and premature failure

Just like all other sidings, vinyl material also has its drawbacks.  It is prone to cracking and premature failure especially when exposed to different weather conditions.  This problem however, would likely occur only after some years if you buy the better quality vinyl type.  The cheaper the vinyl siding , the most likely it will crack easily.  Other siding materials have limited variety of styles, colors, and sizes to choose from, while others like wood and cement are sensitive to cold and wet weather conditions.

As a homeowner, you have the freedom to decide which one is best for your home, considering all other factors, such as your budget, the weather conditions, and aesthetics.  What is important is that you are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of these siding materials so you can make the best decision.

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