What You Should Know About Vinyl Siding

Your home's siding helps protect it from the elements, so when yours starts showing signs of age, you'll need to replace it. You have many siding materials from which to choose, including wood, fiber cement, and stucco. However, many homeowners prefer the many benefits of vinyl siding. If you aren't sure whether vinyl siding is the right choice for your home, check out these facts.

Some homeowners shy away from vinyl because of the name, but vinyl has come a long way, so it no longer looks plastic, cheap, or fake. In actuality, vinyl siding can be used to re-create many styles of home because the vinyl can be molded into different shapes to look like various materials and can come in lap siding, vertical siding, shakes, and more.

Another choice you'll have to make is the color, and this choice is extremely important because vinyl doesn't hold paint well. Therefore, you'll probably want to choose a neutral color that you won't get sick of after only a few years. If you do need to repaint, you may want to hire a professional who can use special paint.

Vinyl siding is a great option if you want to save money, especially because it can be used to mimic more expensive styles. On average, you'll pay $4 to $5 per square foot for regular vinyl and $7 to $8 per square foot for premium vinyl, which offers more insulation and rigidity.

Other types of siding don't come close in terms of price. While aluminum siding is also affordable at $2.50 to $3.50 per square foot, it is no longer commonly used. Natural wood siding, on the other hand, may cost closer to $7 to $14 per square foot, depending on the type of wood. Fiber cement siding is another expensive option, with Cost Helper estimating the price at $4.50 to $9 per square foot.

Vinyl is also a durable choice for your siding needs because it is made from PVC plastic resin. Vinyl can crack, chip, or break if hit with something heavy, but unlike wood, vinyl isn't prone to rot, decay, warp, or attract bugs. It can withstand heavy winds and experience less expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.

Your vinyl siding may even hold its beauty for up to 40 years, depending on the quality of materials, installation, and care. Advanced UV coatings are also used to help reduce fading, keeping your colors vibrant. For added durability, consider insulated vinyl or premium vinyl.  

Any type of siding requires maintenance, but vinyl doesn't take much effort to keep looking great. A lot of maintaining your vinyl siding is keeping plants away so they can't scratch, puncture, or stain the vinyl. You don't need to worry about staining, painting, or protecting the vinyl, but you will need to clean it if dirt and debris appear.

Cleaning is as easy as using a mild detergent, water, and a stiff-bristle brush to clean the siding. If you live in an area that is moist or humid, and if you have a lot of shade, watch for moss and algae growth. You can clean either off yourself with special cleaning solution or a pressure washer.

Vinyl siding can stay looking great for years, and it requires little maintenance to do so. You will need to keep it clean, especially in dark, wet areas, but vinyl siding is an affordable option that can drastically improve the appearance of your home. For more information about vinyl siding, contact us at Mid-South Exteriors today.