When it comes to home siding, there have been many different options used over the years, but options like wood and vinyl have now been popular for generations. For the ease of installation and affordable price point, vinyl siding has become the most popular siding material in the country. Compared to older siding materials like wood, vinyl is an excellent alternative because of its low amount of required maintenance. Recently, another siding material, Fiber Cement, has emerged as a popular alternative siding material. Both materials are actually more affordable than wood siding and more durable overall.
Vinyl Siding
Since the 1960s, vinyl siding has been an extremely popular option for the exterior of American homes. It comes in many of the same colors and textures that you’d want from a painted wood siding material. You won’t need to repaint or perform advanced maintenance on vinyl siding like you’d have to wood. With vinyl, you can achieve the look that you want, no matter what it is. Vinyl even helps protect against impacts, pests, UV rays, and more. The textures and styles that vinyl comes in vary greatly; it can come in traditional horizontal lap siding and vertical options. Because vinyl siding has been around for so long, there are a tremendous amount of choices available to you. It’s relatively cheap and easy to install compared to other siding materials.
Vinyl siding options of the past have been criticized for their appearance and durability, being prone to impact damage. Today’s vinyl siding manufacturers like CertainTeed are extremely strong and impressive looking though, coming in every color and style imaginable.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is a newer siding material than vinyl that is made of concrete fibers that is designed to be incredibly weather-resistant and sturdy against debris. It’s naturally fire-resistant as well due to its cement-based construction. Rot and termite damage can’t happen with fiber cement either!
One of the biggest things to consider with fiber cement is that it requires very careful installation. The boards themselves can be easily damaged pre-installation, creating seams where water can enter and create mold. Fiber cement boards aren’t flexible so repairs and areas around vents need to be done with vinyl. If you’re interested in fiber cement siding, make absolutely sure that you’re working with a trusted contractor to avoid common issues with the material.
The Right Choice
Both siding materials have their strengths and weaknesses, but because vinyl has been around for so much longer, it’s typically more affordable overall. Vinyl is tried and true and a siding material that’s been innovated over the decades to become as advanced as it is today. If installed correctly, fiber cement will keep your home just as well protected as vinyl, just remember to make sure you work with a pro.
Our team at Bennett Contracting installs vinyl siding from CertainTeed because they’re one of the best manufacturers in the business. If you’re interested in having vinyl siding installed on your home, contact us today!