What kind of siding should i put on my house

Stone is among the most durable of all building materials. Granite, limestone, slate, and other types of stone are beautiful and nearly impervious to the weather.

Because stone is a natural material, stone siding is environmentally friendly and comes with longlasting advantages. In most cases, the initial material costs of stone are more than other types of siding—often considerably more.

The level of difficulty in adding stone siding to an existing structure is high, and work should be done by a professional, which further increases costs. As time passes, however, the upside of the investment becomes clear. Stone as an exterior siding will be as natural and attractive decades later as when first installed, with little in the way of maintenance. The durability, light maintenance, and classic appearance of brick siding make it popular with homeowners.

Made of fired clay, brick comes in different colors , textures, and sizes. Brick siding is generally not a structural part of a house but rather a veneer that is constructed on the outside of the wood frame structure. The brick veneer is held together with mortar, a mixture of cement or lime and sand and water. Water can penetrate brick veneers, so it is important that a water membrane is installed between the wood and brick layers to protect the home.

Due to the cost of installation and materials, brick is at the higher end of the siding cost scale. Under normal conditions, brick siding will last the life of the building, with nothing more than the occasional washing needed. The brick veneers and fabricated brick sidings manufactured today are generally molded from actual clay, brick, or other natural materials or polyurethane. These siding options are durable, realistic-looking, lightweight, and easy to install.

Since no footings or foundations are necessary, do-it-yourself homeowners can generally install the siding panels themselves for a fraction of the money and time actual brick requires. Application generally involves a framework that is attached to a backing material such as plywood, but many products on the market today have simple instructions: Glue in place and caulk the seams.

Like fabricated brick, the stone veneers and fabricated stone sidings manufactured today are also molded from real rock, stone, or other natural materials, and are just as durable, realistic, lightweight, and easy to install.

Fabricated stone siding panels can typically be DIY installed, as no footings or foundations are necessary. The application process is generally quicker and more cost-effective than that of real stone or rock. It usually involves a framework that is attached to a backing material such as plywood. For other stone veneer products on the market today, you can simply glue in place and caulk the seams.

Fiber cement siding comes in an array of textures that give the appearance of actual types of wood. It is more durable than wood siding since it is termite-resistant, water-resistant, nonflammable, and typically guaranteed to last 50 years depending on the manufacturer. Fiber cement siding is composed of cement, sand or fly ash, and cellulose fiber. You will find that fiber cement siding is typically more expensive than vinyl siding but less than wood siding. It is installed over studs or exterior wall sheathing on a moisture barrier.

Factory painting is highly recommended and generally warranted for 25 years. Depending on the aggregate used, it can be smooth or textured, and it works well in areas with high moisture content in the air, such as the Southern U. You need a highly qualified professional to install it, and since each type of stucco is unique, even if you find someone who can install the smooth variety, that person may not know how to apply rock dash or pebble dash siding.

Stucco also has a tendency to crack when the house settles, which means repair not only to that area, but also repainting of the entire structure to ensure that the repair matches. Fiber cement comes in a wide range of architectural panels that can help give you the appearance of stucco, without the installation drawbacks or the worry about house settling. Of all these different types of siding, only fiber cement delivers on appearance, maintenance, durability, and cost.

It comes in a wide range of attractive styles and can be installed in many applications. Related Posts. Visit the Blog. Some siding is far less resistant to cracking from impacts in warm and cold weather, and some is less likely to stay put in a windstorm, based on the simulated mph winds in our testing.

Use this guide to determine which material—vinyl, wood, or an alternative siding, such as fiber cement or plastic—best suits your taste and budget. We evaluated 10 vinyl siding products made of polyvinyl chloride PVC and five alternative siding products made of fiber cement, polymer, or a combination of PVC foam and other materials.

Color change: We subject light-colored siding samples to 1, hours of ultraviolet light, about twice the strength of sunlight. These accelerated weathering tests mimic the exposure siding would encounter on an actual house.

We then compare the color change with original, unexposed panels. Then we evaluate any damage. The best products stay attached at simulated winds exceeding mph. Get the Most for Your Money You might be tempted to save money by placing a new layer of siding over an old one, but removing old siding and starting from scratch is generally a better approach.

He adds that putting a new layer over an old one might make your house look strange. You can save, though, by keeping your siding choices simple. Details such as scalloped edges, cedarlike shake, and barnlike board and batten can be more expensive than traditional straight-edged panels.

Mixing patterns can also cost more; abutting two different styles so that they remain watertight can require extra labor. So we recommend having a professional install your siding. To increase the chances of finding a capable contractor who will do the job right—and be available to fix any problems that might arise—look for siding installers who have been working in your area for at least five years, and check their references.

Contractors certified by the Vinyl Siding Institute have been trained in the best installation practices and can be found through the VSI website. The websites of some vinyl siding manufacturers also have search engines to help you find reputable local installers. As with any contractor, check local and state licenses, Better Business Bureau ratings, and certificates of insurance.

Be a Smart Shopper When you interview contractors—CR recommends that you speak to at least three—request all-inclusive price estimates. Even if the installation price is firm, you can ask a siding company to offer an upgrade or other enticements, such as free gutters and leaders. You might find better terms from a bank or credit union. Brick Brick is another timeless choice for siding, both because it looks fantastic and lasts a very long time.

It is made from clay and the market has genuine bricks to offer, which come in many textures and sizes. Brick is quite common in English, Colonial, and Tudor regions, offering that fantastic look that has managed to stand the test of time.

Brick siding is loved because the maintenance requirements are very low. Washing it every now and then is usually enough. However, even though brick masonry has many functional advantages, the look is simply not for everyone. Water can also penetrate the bricks, especially if you do not have a membrane installed between the brick and the house.

Installing brick is also a labor-intensive and time-consuming project. This means that you will pay more to install brick siding than you would when installing another type of siding. Made from polyvinyl chloride plastic vinyl is definitely among the cheapest options for residential siding. It is important to keep in mind, however, that vinyl siding has made considerable strides in recent years while remaining very low cost.

Homeowners are now able to achieve a wide range of designs and appearances using this versatile siding. It also stands up to the elements very well and has almost no maintenance requirements. Vinyl siding is also quite easy to install and you can do the task as a DIY project, as long as you have the right tools needed for the job. Severe weather can, however, damage vinyl siding. If this happens, professional repair may be necessary. Another issue is that unlike cedar or wood, vinyl does not rot but it can melt.

It can also crack, fade, and give off an old and dingy look after some time. Vinyl is also a controversial material due to environmental concerns during its manufacturing. However, some of these problems can be solved by hiring a professional painter to spray on a liquid PVC coating on the siding. This paint is made from resins and polymers and adds an extra layer to the siding, protecting it from the elements. Aluminum siding has many benefits, making it quite a common material in the home improvement space.

This siding offers a wide array of colors and designs to choose from. It is also quite durable compared to other siding materials in the industry. This feature makes aluminum relatively low maintenance as opposed to other siding materials like wood.

Aluminum is offered as a great alternative to other siding materials like vinyl since it offers the same insulation properties. Also, it does not crack or dent but vinyl can. Another advantage it has over vinyl is that it is not considered very harmful.