Examining Home Siding Choices
House Exterior Options of Cedar, Vinyl, and Fiber Cement
© 2008 by Kelly Smith all rights reserved
House siding choices are made depending on homeowner preference, climate conditions, and home
maintenance needs.
Which Type of Residential Siding is Right for Your Home?
All homes have some type of exterior covering. While some homes have brick veneer exteriors,
many homeowners opt for siding. There are several choices and choosing one over the others means
balancing wants and needs.
With these in mind, the homeowner making this decision must go through the process of examining
home siding choices. It’s a classic case of needs VS wants.
- The homeowner's needs? The home's exterior is utilitarian; that is, it protects the home
from the elements. Depending on where the home is located, it may be subjected to high wind,
snow, ice, termite damage, humidity, hail, or harsh sunlight.
- The homeowner’s wants? The exterior is decorative and should be appealing. For a rustic
look, cedar siding is a good choice. For a particular permanent color, vinyl siding tops the
list. For sheer strength, a fiber cement siding is the way to go. Let’s examine these home
siding choices in detail.
Cedar Siding for the Home
Western Red Cedar siding is the type most commonly used. It’s a natural product and known for its
beauty and durability. For energy efficiency, rigid foam sheathing may be applied prior to installing
the siding. If this option is taken, kiln-dried cedar siding should be used because of its stability.
This warm wood siding can be finished in a variety of attractive ways. For a natural wood look, a
penetrating stain or a clear repellant finish are good choices; varnish and shellac have fallen out
of favor because of their short life span.
Painting this type of building material is an alternative to a natural finish. Before painting the
it, it should be coated with a water repellant preservative and then primed with a stain blocking primer.
Only then should it be finished with a quality, 100 percent acrylic paint.
Protecting the Home with Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding has many qualities to recommend it. It comes in a myriad of colors, which most
manufacturers guarantee not to need repainting. Most simply recommend washing once a year.
This house siding does a good job of standing up to the elements and doesn’t have the permeability
characteristics of wooden siding, making it a good choice where altering humidity and dryness are an
issue.
Insulated vinyl siding raises the energy efficiency of the home as well as providing a more
rigid surface. With respect to rigidity, in all circumstances, thicker vinyl is preferable. It will
stand up to the weather better, not to mention out-of-control baseballs!
In the long run, this extra exterior wall insulation
will pay for itself
Matching trim and soffit material is also available, ensuring an exact match with the
siding color.
Fiber Cement, A Brutally Strong Construction Material
Fiber cement siding (usually referred to as Hardi board or Hardiplank siding since that brand
name is synonymous with the product) is the strongest of all three home siding materials reviewed.
When painted, it is indistinguishable from wood siding.
This is also an excellent choice in high humidity areas. Due to its makeup, it is extremely
mildew resistant.
One of its strongest features is its immunity to the problems of termites and water damage. It
generally comes pre-primed from the manufacturer so all that’s left for the homeowner or siding
contractor to do is paint it. A high quality acrylic paint is recommended.
Summary of Exterior Residential Siding Material Features
- Cedar siding: rustic look, durability.
- Vinyl siding: no need to paint, available with insulation, no humidity issues.
- Fiber cement siding: avoids termite problems, long lasting strength, no humidity or mildew
issues.
Ready to get started? Do it yourself or Need A Contractor? Ask Angie! Let AngiesList.com Help You Find The Best Contractor In Your Town!
Recommended Related Articles
|
