A look at siding materials?

A Look At 4 House Siding Materials Which Is The Best Choice For Your New Home?

Choosing a house siding material is a very important task, as the exterior of the home will determine the street value and can make or break a homebuyer’s decision to look at your home when it comes time to sell. In choosing a house siding material, you will want to consider both cost and maintenance. You will also want to consider popular house color combinations in considering pairing the siding material with the base color and accent colors of the home. In addition to color and accent details, consider exterior window trim styles to ensure that the window trim complements the siding, whether it’s light or dark. 

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement siding is manmade and mimics the look of wood siding, making it a popular option for many homeowners. It is less expensive and requires less upkeep than wood, and it is also more resistant to fire and insect damage. It does not have to mimic wood, though, it can also look like brick or stone. It is, however, a little bit more expensive than a vinyl siding because of its heavier weight. 

Metal

Metal siding is strong and durable, which initially made it a popular choice for factories. However, more homeowners are starting to opt for metal board and batten siding because it’s incredibly resistant. It’s also very low maintenance and will require regular washing but not any painting. Interestingly, the main draw to metal siding is that it can decrease air cooling costs in the summer, as the material reflects sunlight and will help keep the house cool. If you live in a very cold region, a darker metal color siding will absorb the sun’s rays and keep your house warm, decreasing heating costs. 

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is a popular choice because it's rather inexpensive, quick to install, and easy to maintain when compared to other materials. The main cost-saving property of vinyl is that the siding will never need to be painted because the color is baked in, meaning that maintenance is slim to none. This also makes vinyl the most expensive of these four options. You can also opt to install this type of siding yourself to save even further, although this is not recommended and will not ensure that the siding lasts as long as possible. It is also somewhat customizable, as there are different colors and textures that you can choose from to make sure your house stands out, as vinyl is such a popular choice that you will want to make sure your home doesn’t look like everyone else’s. 

Stucco

Stucco is crafted from a mixture of cement, sand, lime, and water and can bring Spanish inspired architectural style to your home. Stucco is in an earth tone, and it is quite long-lasting since it is not usually painted. It is somewhat costly because of the layering look that you’re trying to achieve. However, this cost is in terms of time rather than money. When installed correctly, stucco siding can last up to 50 years, but the initial time to install the siding can be longer than expected. The material also gives the house strong protection against the elements. 

When it comes to choosing a house siding material, cost, maintenance, and customizability are all important considerations. Fiber cement, metal, vinyl, and stucco are all great options, each with their own pros and cons. 

Mandy Lee is a contributor to Innovative Construction Materials. She is a blogger and content writer for the building materials industry. Mandy is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that increase property value, maximize energy savings, and turn houses into homes.