Siding: What Are the Benefits?

Having siding installed on a home averages around $10,000, from start to finish, for the most common choices of siding material. Remodeling Magazine rates installing siding as “ranked first in this [midrange project] category and second overall, with a cost-value ratio of 87.4%.” Replacing or adding siding to a home can instantly make the house look brand new from the exterior.

People commonly opt for a non-wood siding that will last longer and be lower-maintenance than wood. Of course, a good siding contractor can fix and replace the current wood siding on your home. But with so many benefits for other siding materials, most people decide against wood. New siding is unique in its ability to give your home such a dramatic face-lift. Since the outside of your home is unavoidably what people see first, it makes that all-important first impression.

Home siding design versatility

Siding comes in any style, texture, shade, or material you could ask for, these days. You can drastically change the look of your home by installing new siding. With both natural options and synthetic options that simulate everything from brick to shake siding, the choices are nearly limitless. You can even mix and match different styles of siding as well as different types of trim. From a larger diversity of color pallets throughout your home’s exterior to a mix of clapboard-style siding with shake singles between the peaks, you can create whatever design you prefer.

Siding does not have to come with any insulation added to it. This is the least expensive option. Though it will still add a layer to your home, and therefore provide some level of insulation, it will not do too much in the way of saving you money on your utility bills. If you can spend a little more for insulation-lined siding then your will definitely make a dent in your heating and cooling costs.

Cement fiber siding is the up-and-comer in the siding world. It often comes made with recycled materials and costs less than stucco or wood. It is resistant to fire, termites, and rot and gets the most bang for your buck, as far as insulation goes. It does not need to include a layer of insulation as the material it is made of has a superior insulating quality.

Many vinyl siding does have an insulation-backed option. This option, as well as the cement fiber siding, serve to keep heat or air conditioning inside your home and the undesirable temperatures out. These year-round savings on heating and cooling contribute to the return you will get when replacing your siding.

Any siding other than wood means never having to paint again. Non-wood siding is low-maintenance and weather resistant. Depending on the type of siding, it generally comes with a warranty that covers anywhere from 25-50 years. These durable options are appealing when selling a home. For starters, you will not have to repaint or clear off mold. There is no work required to increase curb-appeal while getting ready to sell, and potential home buyers will see the house looking sharp and know that they too will not have to do anything to maintain that look.

Wood and synthetic siding options offer durability

Siding is built to be more durable than it has ever been in the past. With new materials and technologies, both the natural wood siding and synthetic sidings are tougher. Synthetic siding, like vinyl and fiber-cement siding are nearly impervious to the elements. They are water resistant, are not moved by winds— generally up to 120 miles per hour—and are unappealing to insects that have no ability to eat away at or bore into the materials.

In addition to stronger materials and a better protective coating on siding, the design of siding planks has been improved on. They have fewer seams and overlapping nail hems, specifically designed to reduce vulnerability and increased strength and protection.

This type of exterior strength will keep the materials of your home safe and protected for decades. You greatly reduce your risk of damage due to termites, harsh weather, rot, or mold, making siding a great investment.

Siding warranties

Depending on the brand and type of siding you decide on, you can get warranties that last up to a lifetime. Most types of siding are guaranteed for at least 10 years, many more are guaranteed from 20 to 30 years. You will want to check with your siding contractor on which options have the longest lasting warranties and factor that into your decision-making process.

There are few home improvement projects that hold the option of a lifetime guarantee, making new siding a better way to get the most for your money.

Environmental Impact

Siding has a beneficial impact on the environment from several angles. The increase in energy efficiency to a home decreases energy usage, which lowers its carbon footprint. Another way it is environmentally friendly is its ability to last. Not needing to be replaced for many decades means less waste to go in the landfills. Lastly, the low maintenance necessary to maintain most types of siding reduces its chemical impact on the earth. There is no need to paint, seal, use caulking, or chemicals for cleansers to maintain most kinds of siding.

Repairing your home’s exterior damage

If there are sections of your home’s exterior that have rot, water damage, or other types of damage, they can be removed and replaced with more durable siding. Water damage and mold are likely to continue to spread, once they take hold. Having these damaged sections of the exterior removed and replaced will halt the damage from spreading deeper into the house’s building materials, saving you money on additional repair work down the road. Of course, replacing a damaged exterior also improves the look and value of a house.

Change your home’s appearance with new siding

There are many ways you can remodel a home and increase its value. Whether you spend a little or spend a lot in these home-improvement measures, there are few possibilities that increase your return like replacing the siding on your house. You begin getting your money back when you save on energy, but it doesn’t stop there. You decrease the damage termites can do and lower the ability of pests to get in. Your home becomes weather-resistant and fire retardant, and, your house will look brand new for decades to come. Couple that with the versatility and protective value of siding and you can really feel good about this particular home improvement project!

For questions about siding in your area, feel free to call Dr. Roof Inc and talk to our siding services in Vancouver, WA. We have lived and worked in the area for years and understand the needs of Southwest Washington residents. Our service area spans from Highway 14 to State Route 500. Projects include metal roofs on residential buildings in marinas along the Columbia River as well as single-family homes in Fisher’s Landing.