PART 1: WHY SIDING MATTERS
Siding, also known as wall or exterior cladding, is material applied to the exterior walls of a home. While those made with solid brickwork or masonry veneer will not require the use of siding, the average American home will typically feature it, taking advantage of the benefits siding has to offer. What are these benefits? What can siding do for you? PROTECTION FROM THE ELEMENTS Siding forms part of your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Along with other parts of your home, it creates a barrier that protects your home from rain, snow, hail, and ice, among other things. When siding is not present or damaged, water penetration is a common problem that arises. Over time, not having siding can lead to the formation of mold, as well as damage to your home’s foundation and and structure due to exposure to moisture.
PART 1: WHY SIDING MATTERS
INSULATION Your home’s cladding also plays a part in keeping your home warm and cozy, especially during the cold months. Just as siding serves to protect your home from rain and snow, it also helps keep the wind from penetrating through the walls of your home. If you’re finding that gusts of wind are managing to enter your home despite keeping the windows and doors properly closed, then chances are that you need siding or yours need repairing or replacing.
AESTHETICS Your siding can contribute a lot to your home’s visual impact and appeal. Whether you want to blend in better with your neighborhood or are keener on standing out and expressing your personal style, you can easily achieve your goal by making the most out of the range of choices available to you and picking out the right kind of siding for your home. oooooo
A part of choosing the right kind of siding is choosing the right kind of material it is made from. Get to know your options in the next part of this blog series.
PART 2: WHAT’S THAT SIDING MADE OF?
There are a number of material options you can take into consideration when choosing siding. Your home may have already siding installed but knowing what options are available to you will aid you in choosing the right material when the time for a replacement comes. Popular siding options include: VINYL Vinyl is the most popular siding material in the United States today. It’s the least expensive of the materials listed here, and also possibly the simplest to install, allowing quick work of a home improvement project involving siding. Weather-proof, insect-proof, and not subject to rot, vinyl also requires little in the way of maintenance. Though mold or grime can accumulate on vinyl, they can easily be cleaned off with some soap and water. FIBER CEMENT Made from cement, sand, and cellulose, fiber cement offers the look of stone, stucco, or wood at a lower cost. Fiber cement siding may need the occasional repainting but it is also impact-resistant, fire- and insect-proof, does not rot, and will not deteriorate from exposure to the elements.
PART 2: WHAT’S THAT SIDING MADE OF?
WOOD Wood siding remains a popular choice, despite its overall higher cost, because of how well it works to complement more traditional home styles. Aside from being more expensive than vinyl or fiber cement, wood also needs regular maintenance, possibly making it a handful for the busy homeowner. But because it is still extensively used in older, more traditional homes, wood siding is available in a large number of styles. STUCCO Made from a mix of sand, cement, lime, and water, stucco can be shaped and textured to match a range of siding styles. Its biggest draw, however, is its ability to “breathe,” allowing air to pass through so moisture can evaporate quickly and working with moisture barriers to prevent water that gets behind the material from causing damage to a home. BRICK AND STONE Brick and stone are on the higher end of the scale, with durability matched only by the price of the siding. They can be applied as veneers, not included in the home’s main structure, and can last a lifetime, sometimes even outlasting the home itself with little more than occasional washing as maintenance.
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Now that you know your material options, it’s now time to get to know what siding styles are available to you. Head on over to the next part to learn more!
PART 2: WHAT’S THAT SIDING MADE OF?
Siding can come in a variety of styles, sometimes influenced by the kind of material it’s made from. Certain styles go well with certain architectural designs but that doesn’t mean that your choice of siding should be dictated by the kind of home style you have. Instead, use the associations as starting points to help you find siding that perfectly suits your wants and needs. HORIZONTAL LAP SIDING Also known as bevel or clapboard siding, lap siding is an option available to materials like vinyl, fiber cement and wood. Installed horizontally, with upper rows overlapping with the lower ones, this style of siding is most common in colonial and traditional home styles, such as the Cape Cod, as well as homes that are generally boxy and symmetrical.
BOARD AND BATTEN Also known as barn siding, board and batten runs vertically, instead of horizontally like lap siding, and can be made of fiber cement and wood. This siding lends itself well to a more rural- or traditional-looking property, but the lack of a standard width allows for innovation and freedom in expressing the final look of a home. SHINGLES AND SHAKES Shingles and shakes are siding styles for vinyl, fiber cement, and wood. Functionally identical, shingles are generally machine-sawed, while shakes are, instead, hand-split. Both go well, however, with a Craftsman style of home.
PART 2: WHAT’S THAT SIDING MADE OF?
SPLIT LOGS The split logs style of siding is available for wood only, and is responsible for giving cabin-styled homes with their unique charm. Common wood species used for this siding style are cedar, cypress, redwood, and pine, all of which can be stained or painted, depending on preferences. Split log siding, however, is most commonly in its natural state, complemented by a clear-coat sealer which helps protect the wood without hiding the material’s natural beauty.
FIBER CEMENT PANELS Fiber cement panels come in large sheets, most commonly 4 feet by 8 feet in size, resulting in flat, uniform surfaces with shadow lines where panels meet. While more generally suited to contemporary-style homes, this siding style also works a Prairie-styled houses, when combined with battens placed over the panel joints. oooooo
Siding can do a lot for your home and come in a range of options to address whatever you want and need. To help you choose the right siding for your home, don’t hesitate to give your local contractor a call.
DryTech Roofing Company Inc. 3435 Walnut Road Aberdeen, MD 21001
(877) 7700-DRY DryTechRoofingCompany.com