5 Types of Siding For Your Home
Siding Dallas TX is one of the most important aspects of your home’s structure. It protects the house from harsh weather and helps lock in heat during winter and cool air during summer.
Siding also adds curb appeal and increases the value of a property. However, the type of siding you choose should be based on your needs.
Wood is a classic choice for siding. It is sturdy and durable, and can last for decades with the right care. It also adds a beautiful aesthetic to any home, and can complement other types of materials well. However, real wood requires regular maintenance and upkeep to keep it looking its best. If this is a concern, consider engineered wood instead. This material is a combination of real wood and bonding agents. It is available in a variety of colors and textures, and it can be designed to mimic the look of natural cedar or redwood siding.
Cedar is one of the most popular wood siding options for homes. It is known for its durability, and can be painted or stained in a variety of colors. It is resistant to insects and weather damage, and can last for many years if it is maintained correctly.
Firwood is another popular wood siding option for homes. It is a softwood that is typically sold in long sections. This makes it easy to mill and use in siding applications that require milling, including tongue-and-groove. It is also easy to stain and finish, and can be used for trim and molding.
Iroko is a type of wood that has become increasingly popular for siding because it is both durable and attractive. It has a light color and can be painted in a variety of colors. It is a good choice for warm climates, as it can resist moisture and insect damage.
Metal
Metal siding is a long-lasting and durable material that protects a home or building from damage. It is available in a variety of shapes, sizes and designs to fit any style of home. It also has the added benefit of energy efficiency, which helps lower utility bills. The siding can reflect the sun’s rays and keep the indoor temperature stable, so you won’t need to run your heating or cooling system overtime.
Steel is an excellent choice for metal siding, as it can withstand harsh weather conditions. It can be coated with a rust-resistant compound to prevent the paint from chipping or fading. However, it’s important to evaluate the type of weather in your area and choose a material that will be compatible. For example, homeowners living in coastal areas with salty air should avoid steel, as it can corrode quickly.
The metal can be painted any color you wish, and there are many different styles of panel profiles to choose from. Some of the more popular options include corrugated panels and standing seams, which can be installed in various patterns. Some are wavy and others have a crimped look. You can even find panel options that resemble stucco or wood.
Homeowners who want to save money on their utility bills should consider metal siding, as it can help cut costs. The material can also add an intriguing tone to a home’s exterior. Some people have used it to create a modern, contemporary design, while others have integrated it into ranch-style homes. It’s a great option for people who are looking to achieve a rustic or country feel on their property. The only maintenance that metal siding requires is routine cleaning and periodic inspections. This prevents minor issues from going unnoticed and developing into larger problems.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is a plastic exterior that’s used for houses and small apartment buildings. It’s available in a wide variety of colors and styles. It once had a bad reputation for sagging, cracking, and fading, but thanks to technological and chemical improvements, it’s now the number one choice for homeowners. It’s also less expensive than natural wood and can be made to look like clapboard or other styles.
In addition to its aesthetic appeal, vinyl is a good choice for homes in harsh weather conditions. It can withstand heat, strong winds, heavy rains, and hail. It also protects a house’s foundation and its contents from rain, snow, and cold temperatures. Other types of siding deteriorate over time, but vinyl can hold up to all the elements without sagging or breaking.
Some people don’t like the way vinyl looks, but it is a good option for some homes. It’s low-cost, easy to install, and resists scratches better than other materials. It’s also easier to replace individual pieces than many other cladding options.
However, it’s not the strongest material for a house. High winds and debris can rip vinyl planks from the walls. They may also get punctured by falling hail or tree branches.
Some manufacturers now use a process called co-extrusion to make vinyl siding. It has a thicker base layer that holds the color and weatherable coating. The top layer is a polymer capstock that includes UV-absorbing pigments and other additives to help protect the material from damage from the sun. These ingredients also reduce the rate at which the product ages. Vinyl’s color is prone to fading over time, but it fades much slower than other materials.
Fiber cement
Fiber cement is one of the most popular siding options among homeowners building their forever homes. This heavy-duty material is also known as Hardie board siding and offers more durability than brick or synthetic stucco. It costs less than wood or vinyl and more than brick or natural stone. Read on to learn how this durable siding can improve your home’s appearance, curb appeal and value.
While its name may suggest it looks like concrete or another flat surface with a raw cement finish, fiber cement siding actually resembles real wood. It can be made to look smooth or embossed with a rough-sawn texture, or tinted to any color you choose. It’s also easy to install, unlike some siding options that require specialized contractors to get the job done right.
Like many other siding options, fiber cement siding can be installed either vertically or horizontally, with or without trim, and in a wide range of widths. It can even be made to mimic shingle or plank siding. The wide variety of styles and color options make it possible for homeowners to find the perfect look for their homes, and it can be used in a way that’s complementary to other siding materials.
One of the most impressive things about fiber cement siding is how well it performs in different weather conditions. It’s noncombustible, meaning it won’t burn in a fire, and it can withstand high winds in coastal regions. It can also stand up to salt air, and it’s unaffected by UV rays. It’s also rot-resistant, and it can repel insects and fungus. It also won’t crack or swell, and it can withstand damage from hail.
Stucco
Stucco siding offers homeowners the opportunity to indulge their creativity without sacrificing durability. Unlike many other siding materials, stucco can be applied in a variety of textures to create unique, beautiful designs for homes. It is also rot and fungus resistant, making it a popular choice for exterior wall coatings. However, it requires regular maintenance to keep it looking its best and protecting the home from natural hazards.
To prevent the stucco from absorbing moisture, a concrete bonding agent must be used to prepare the surface of the wall. After the bonding agent has dried, a base coat is applied, followed by a scratch coat to roughen the surface of the stucco. This layer is typically misted periodically to slow its drying process. Once the scratch coat has hardened, a finish coat can be applied to the exterior walls of a building. This layer may be hand-troweled to create a variety of finishes, including smooth surfaces or textures like swirls and ridges. It may also be dyed by adding pigment to the stucco mixture before it is installed.
Once the finish coat has been applied, it is important that a vapor-permeable weather barrier be installed to protect the wood or light-gauge steel framing from water damage. This barrier is often made from asphalt-saturated paper or one of a variety of manufactured plastic-based sheets.
The ideal time to install stucco is in the fall, when temperatures are cooler and dry. The fall also gives stucco the time it needs to fully cure before the winter weather sets in. If your stucco does not dry fully, it can crack or break, leaving open spots that provide entry points for moisture, rot, insects, and rodents to enter the interior of your home.
