When it comes time to choose a material for your home, we think you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the wide variety of materials, colors and textures now available. Here are some benefits of the most popular siding materials installed on today’s homes.
Vinyl Siding
Introduced to the market in the early 1960s, vinyl has grown in popularity due to its durability, versatility and ease of maintenance (though you still need to occasionally clean your vinyl siding). It is impact-resistant, strong and available in a broad palette of colors. Vinyl also is available in many profiles, including traditional lap, Dutch lap, horizontal and vertical panels, shakes, scallops, shingles, fish scales and beaded designs in various widths.
With the ability to withstand high winds of 110 mph or higher and a composition that resists heat, cold and moisture, vinyl siding retains its looks over time. And perhaps most importantly, vinyl siding never needs paint! The only maintenance it needs to look its best is an occasional wash with a garden hose.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding, such as James Hardie Siding, is composed of a mixture of cement, sand and wood fiber that is cured with pressurized steam to increase its strength and dimensional stability. It can be molded to look like genuine wood planks, yet is completely resistant to rot, fire, wind and insects.
Because fiber cement does not expand and contract like wood, it holds paint very well. Most fiber cement comes primed and ready to finish, and is also available with factory-finished paint backed by a warranty. Fiber cement siding may be painted using water-based acrylic paint, which typically lasts up to 15 years. Stains may also be applied to fiber cement.
Stucco
Because of the variety of ways to apply and formulate it, stucco siding has been utilized for hundreds of years. Typically seen in Mission or Spanish-style architecture, stucco can be smooth or coarse, raked or swirled. It can contain sand, lime or pebbles. Depending upon the climate and the desired texture, different types of cement are used in the stucco mix.
Advantages of natural stucco include fire resistance, a high degree of energy efficiency and low maintenance. It also expands and contracts with the temperature, which minimizes cracking.
Aluminum Siding
Once the leader in replacement siding, aluminum has rapidly lost ground to more modern materials. Though it can dent and fade, aluminum will not crack or rot — making it ideal for wet climates. Aluminum is low-maintenance, fireproof, and comes in a variety of styles and colors.
Wood Siding
Wood is a traditional material, either in shake or clapboard form. Because wood requires frequent maintenance, particularly in regions with extremes of moisture and temperature, it has lost ground to low-maintenance siding materials in recent decades.
Fiberglass Siding
An innovative and durable new option, fiberglass siding is among the fastest-growing in popularity across the country. Â Fiberglass gives your home the look of freshly-painted wood without the hassle of scraping and painting, and is virtually maintenance-free. Available in a variety of color options and produced in continuous lengths, fiberglass features clean, crisp lines with seams that butt tightly together instead of overlapping.
Contact Us Today
For siding in Pennsylvania, MHX Designs is your trusted home exterior contractor. We use many types of siding materials and use the best siding brands around. Contact us today at (888) 944-6493 to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation. Use our convenient online request form and we will get in touch with you.
