Different siding materials require different levels of maintenance, and in order to know how to care for your home exterior, you need to be aware of what it is covered with.
Whether you are in the market for a home and need to know what type of siding material is protecting it, or you bought a home without knowing what siding material covers it, read on to discover the distinct differences between siding types so you can know what your home is covered with and maintain it accordingly.
Discover Your Home’s Siding Material by How It Looks and Feels
Vinyl Siding
- Feel – Vinyl siding is made of PVC, so it feels like durable plastic and has some “give” to it when you push on it.
- Looks – Highly customizable vinyl siding comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. It can fade over time, so a lighter color looks best for its long-term appearance.
- Features – This is a lightweight siding material that is a cost-effective and popular option for starter homes, rental properties, and quick upgrades. Vinyl is a good insulator and will help lower utilities. It also increases your home’s value and has a solid return on investment.
- Maintenance Needs – Vinyl is known for its low maintenance. It should be washed once or twice a year to maintain a crisp look. If it becomes damaged, it’s easier to replace a panel rather than trying to repair a vinyl siding panel.
Fiber Cement Siding
- Feel – Fiber cement feels dense and sturdy. It doesn’t have any “give” to it if you push on it. This sturdy siding material is made of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, creating a strong, durable siding that withstands weather and is known to last up to 50 years when it is installed correctly and maintained well over the years.
- Looks – Fiber cement comes in a variety of styles. It may look like board and batten, or simply vertical siding. It could also look like horizontal lap siding, vertical siding, or cedar shakes or shingles. This thick siding material is able to mimic the look of wood without wood’s high maintenance. Its beauty is stunning, and it lasts.
- Features – It is non-combustible, water resistant, weather resistant, pest resistant, and won’t rot or warp. James Hardie is the most popular kind of fiber cement siding. It comes with a hefty 30-year transferable warranty and is installed by manufacturer-trained pros (like us!), ensuring homeowners get the high performance they deserve.
- Maintenance Needs – Fiber cement siding is super low maintenance because it is made so well. Wash it twice a year with a garden hose (not a power washer) and use mild soap on any stains. Keep an eye on its caulking as that can deteriorate over time, and you’ll need to replace it.
Wood Siding
- Feel – Wood feels like a strong, resilient siding material because it is! You’ll notice the classic wood patterns and imperfections that have depth and give it character.
- Looks – Wood siding has obvious “knots” as you would expect on real wood planks. It comes in horizontal and vertical panels, traditional cedar shakes, and shingles. It may be either painted or stained.
- Features – Classic wood siding is made from cedar or redwood because they resist decay. It is a natural insulator and lasts 20-40 years based on how well it is maintained.
- Maintenance Needs – Wood siding has the most tedious upkeep, as it must be painted or sealed frequently to safeguard it from moisture penetration or rotting.
Composite Wood Siding
- Feel – Composite wood is made of scrap wood that is compressed and bonded together with resins. It feels sturdy, and it is.
- Looks – Composite wood siding is designed to mimic the look of real wood, but it doesn’t look exactly like real wood.
- Features – Treated with chemicals to keep fungi and pests away, it comes pre-primed and ready to paint. It is also available already finished with many styles.
- Maintenance Needs – Unlike natural wood, composite wood siding only needs to be painted every 5-10 years. It can last up to 30 years when it is well-maintained.
Aluminum Siding
- Feel – If you have aluminum siding, you’ll know it by its look and feel. It dents easily and has a metallic sound when you knock on it. Aluminum is resilient and can last up to 50 years when it is installed properly and maintained over the years.
- Looks – Aluminum siding comes in various colors, can be painted, and it is easy to distinguish because it looks like metal.
- Features – Aluminum siding is weather resistant, rot and pest resistant, and it resists moisture infiltration.
- Maintenance Needs – Wash aluminum siding annually with warm water, a garden hose, some all-purpose cleaners, and a long-handled, soft-bristled brush. Skip the temptation to power wash it, as that could harm your siding. If the siding looks chalky, that is because oxidation can occur on it. If you don’t remove the chalky build-up, it will affect how well paint will adhere to your siding. Make a spray bottle of one part bleach and four parts water. Spray the mixture on the chalky build-up. This also removes mold and mildew.
Get Precision Siding Installation for Your Greater Indianapolis Area Home
Faulty siding can compromise your home’s protective layer, making it vulnerable to water penetration, pest infestation, and costly wood rot.
At Craftsman Exterior, we install Hardie siding and vinyl siding with great attention to detail. We offer the “Craftsman Warranty” on all our workmanship, giving homeowners confidence in their investment. Take a moment to learn more about our siding services.
