Home Siding Choices

Siding Alternatives

Introductions:

Vinyl, composite wood, brick veneer, stucco, wood and aluminum are among the different types of house siding that’s used in home construction. When considering which type of siding you want to put on your home you should be familiar with all the choices. Each type of siding has its good and bad points and they vary greatly in price.

Vinyl Siding:

Vinyl siding is the most popular siding option because it is inexpensive and easy to maintain. It is made of polyvinyl chloride and comes in a variety of colors. Because of its fire and weather resistance it is considered safe. It is also economical and durable.  It costs on average $3 to $4 per square foot. It will never need to be re-painted unless you live in a sandy abrasive climate.

Composite Wood Siding:

Composite wood siding (cement siding) is a man-made siding that is made from compressed wood fibers and cement. It does not rot, termites cannot eat it, and it maintains the look of natural wood. It is about 30 percent cheaper than wood siding. It is fire and weather resistant and comes pre-finished for easy installation. The finish will peel over time and it will need to be re-painted. This siding choice costs $4 to $5 per square foot.

Brick Veneer:

Brick Veneer is a method of constructing walls by attaching bricks to the wood framework of a house using brick ties. Brick ties are accordion-style metal fasteners which hold the veneer to the wood. Brick is weather resistant, termites cannot eat it and it is easy to maintain. Maintenance is limited to patching the mortar if it cracks. Brick veneer can last for many decades if maintained. It costs $12 to $16 per square foot.

Stucco:

Stucco is a water resistant, plaster siding material. It is made out of cement, sand and water. Sometimes it is finished with an acrylic wash or includes latex. Stucco is easy to apply and holds up well in humid climates because of its water resistant qualities but it does have to be painted and needs more maintenance than other options. It costs $5 to $11 per square foot.

Wood Siding:

Wood siding is one of the oldest siding options. Many historic homes and buildings have wood siding.  It is more maintenance intensive than other options. It must be painted frequently depending on many factors including how much direct sunlight the siding receives and how extreme the weather is. If maintained properly wood siding will last for decades. Wood siding costs $4 to $7 per square foot and is vulnerable to termites, warping and splitting.

Aluminum Siding:

Aluminum siding does not have the look of natural wood, but it does come in a variety of colors and designs. Termites cannot eat it, it holds up in extreme climates and it is relatively inexpensive. It cost $3 to $4 per square foot. Aluminum siding can last a lifetime but does need to be repainted from time to time. The frequency of painting depends on the climate. If you live in an area with extreme cold or heat you will need to paint it more often than if you live in a moderate climate area.

These are the home siding choices that are commonly used in home construction. Your choice will depend on where you live and what you are willing to pay.

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