Siding is an important addition to your house exterior because it doesn’t only protect the exterior from elements, but also acts as a low-key sound proofing material for the interior of your house. But there are many siding materials to choose from. How do you know which one is better? Asking a siding and roofing contractors about the best materials is a good idea, but it’s better to research yourself. If you’re considering vinyl, here is everything you need to know about vinyl siding.
Pros Of Vinyl Siding
Low Maintenance
Vinyl is a great material to go for if you don’t want to worry about maintenance. Many siding materials have a handful of things that need to be maintained after some time.
Take wooden or metal siding, for instance. Wood is probably the most demanding material out of the lot because it needs to be sealed to protect against the weather. It also needs to be painted to ensure a layer of extra protection. Fungus and mold can be an issue with wooden siding and it can rot the material in no time.
As for metal siding, dents, and damages are very common, especially if something heavy impacts the siding. Metal sidings are also quite expensive to repair, so this makes vinyl a good choice because it doesn’t need any of these things and you can set it and forget about it for the next couple of years.
No Need To Paint It
A lot of siding materials can be painted to give it that extra layer of protection, and sometimes to cover up the surface of the siding because it’s not as appealing to the eye, but with vinyl there is no need to do all of that. Vinyl is a beautiful material and the siding surface looks like pretty good.
On top of that, it also doesn’t need to be painted because it can sustain all kinds of damage and still look stunning for a long time. Painting can be a pain in the neck for a lot of people and once you do it, you’re going to need it again after some time because a paint job can only last so long.
This is what gives vinyl siding extra brownie points for being extremely low maintenance so it’s a great option for busy people who just don’t want to deal with these kinds of things. So, if you’re in the same boat, then vinyl should be something that you should consider because it’s going to be a breeze to install and there won’t be any problems for a couple of years.
It’s Inexpensive
A quality that makes vinyl surpasses a lot of high-end siding materials is the price. The cost of vinyl siding is low and reasonable and that’s something not a lot of materials can top. Many people don’t care for expensive materials because they simply can’t afford them and the qualities are of no use to them if they can’t buy and use said materials.
This is why people flock over vinyl because it’s a material that has all of the qualities (granted that they’re mediocre) available at a reasonable price point.
Cons Of Vinyl Siding
Not Durable
As much as vinyl is an amazing material and it’s a good choice for a lot of people, it lacks in the durability department. There isn’t a lot of strength in vinyl and it can crack and chip if you’re not too careful. It’s not the weakest of materials, but it’s also not top-notch in strength either. It lies somewhere in the middle of the spectrum and it can be a hit or miss for some people.
Although it doesn’t crack super easily like plywood siding, it’s still not as strong as other siding materials and if you’re spending money on a siding material, then you might want to go for something that’s going to last you a decent amount of time. Vinyl can last up to 20 years, but it will start to show signs of damage at the 15-year mark and at that point, it’s a total loss.
There are going to be a lot of hiccups from this moment on, and it’s better to completely replace the siding instead of trying to stretch the last of its strength out. So, a lot of people have the opinion that if they need to change the siding frequently, then they should choose a material that’s already long-lasting.
It Can Fade
If you thought that vinyl was perfect, then let us disillusion you. It’s not a perfect siding material. There is also another major drawback to this material and it’s the fact that it can fade. Fading can be caused by daily sun exposure and it can ruin the appearance of the beautiful material.
Well, there’s not a lot you can do in this regard either because sidings are outdoor structures and they’re meant to be out in the sun and rain, but vinyl can get damaged by these agents.
Vinyl can also get damaged by water and moisture, especially if the installation is faulty and there are gaps in the surface. This can cause water and other fluids to seep deeper into the material and cause damage.
Primarily, fading of vinyl siding is a main issue and it’s one of the reasons why people tend to stay away from this material because it’s just not worth it if you’re installing a material that’s going to fade under the sunlight. It’s better to invest your money and effort in a material that’s at least going to endure the sunlight. This is what makes vinyl a bad choice for the outdoors.
Doesn’t Add Value To Your House
A lot of siding materials are really expensive like wood, composite, metal, concrete, etc., but one thing that all of these materials have in common is the fact that they can add value to your house or property when you go ahead and sell it in the future. The same can’t be said about vinyl, however.
Vinyl is a popular material, but it’s not up there with the above-mentioned stunning materials. It is not a sought-after material, like wood and metal siding, which is why it’s not as appealing to house buyers either. On the contrary, you will see a lot of interested buyers if a house has wooden, composite, or metal siding. It’s a huge marketing tactic and these materials are quite popular, whereas vinyl isn’t. Vinyl is more popular because it’s cheap and it can be installed easily.
So, if you’re looking for that return on investment on your house with vinyl siding, then it’s safe to say that you’re not going to get any, in fact, vinyl can cause a dip in the price of your property. So, it’s best that you don’t opt for it if your main concern is the value of your property.
Conclusion
Vinyl has some great qualities as well as some things that can make this material a no-go. So, it’s ultimately up to you what material you decide to go for. If you’re confused in deciding which material is better considering your requirements, discuss it with a siding contractor Hudson.
