When it comes to remodeling the exterior of a home, most homeowners know that siding is the number one choice for giving a house a dramatically new appearance. From among half a dozen choices, installing vinyl siding is one of the most common and popular options among homeowners, but before you decide to take this route, it’s a good idea to weigh the pros and cons against each other to see if vinyl siding is right for you. We’ve enlisted the vinyl siding experts at Cavalry Roofing in Raleigh North Carolina to assist us in providing a list for homeowners that will help them determine if vinyl siding is a good choice for their home.
Pros of Vinyl Siding
- Inexpensive
The cost of producing and installing vinyl siding is lower than other siding materials like wood, metal, or cement. It simply means that vinyl siding can change the look of your home without breaking your bank. It is among the least expensive siding that you will find in the market today.
- Strong and Durable
This is surely the key feature that everyone wants from the siding. The weather can be highly brutal for the exterior of your home- sunlight, rain, wind, and snow. Vinyl comes in three thickness options dictating how long it can last. The heavier the gauge, the more durable it will be. Regardless of the thickness you choose, it can protect your home well for years to come.
- Low Maintenance
Once the vinyl siding is correctly installed, there’s very little maintenance for the next 30 to 40 years with the exception of cleaning. Once a year, it will require a good power washing to keep it fresh, and over time, the colors will most probably begin to fade, and you need to repaint them every 10-15 years to maintain the vibrant colors.
- Versatile Color Palette
Vinyl siding has come a long way since their discovery, and today’s siding comes in versatile, gorgeous colors and alluring texture palettes. You can easily find hundreds of options as compared to wood or cement siding to mimic a luxurious look.
Cons of Vinyl Siding
- Weather Resistance
In extremely cold weather, the vinyl siding is prone to get cracks that allow the water and snow to penetrate inwards where rot, mold, moisture, and damage can seriously harm the framing of your home’s exterior.
- Poor Insulator
Vinyl siding isn’t a good option as an insulator, and you need heavy-duty insulation, which can be out of your budget. In addition to these, in extremely hot weather, vinyl siding have been known to meltdown, causing different problems.
- Dents
It is a fact that most of the vinyl siding are manufactured in a way to withstand significant weather conditions, but some of them can get dents or damage in severe weather situations such as hail or windstorms where debris can strike the siding with extreme force. Even the heavier gauges are also prone to dents from objects like stones or a misthrown ball. Dents are hard to pop out, and the panel needs to be replaced with a new one, which can be time-consuming due to the interlocking system.
Final Verdict
Whether you choose vinyl siding for durability or appearance, it is crucial to research for all the options and look for a professional installer who can answer all your questions. Weigh the pros and cons of all the other types of siding and choose the one which fits in your budget and lifestyle.
