Siding is your home’s front line of defense against the elements. It protects from extreme sun and heat, heavy storms and strong winds. It also defends against pests and makes your house more energy-efficient.
A new siding can also make your house look more appealing. The key is to find a material that will suit your style and budget requirements. Contact Siding Columbia MO now!
Real wood siding gives your home a classic, rustic look that is very popular. It can be used to complement a variety of home styles from country to contemporary. It looks great with brick or stone accents, but also pairs well with other materials like glass and steel. Wood is a renewable resource that comes in many different varieties and can be painted or stained any color.
Cedar is a common type of wood siding because it is durable and attractive. It resists swelling and bending, and can be treated with chemicals to prevent rot or insect infestation. It is also a green option, as it is sustainable and biodegradable. Pine wood is another popular choice, as it is inexpensive and easy to work with. It can be painted or stained, and it is a good choice for homeowners who want to add a pop of color to their home exterior.
Oak is another popular wood siding choice because it has a beautiful, rich appearance. However, it can be heavy and may fade in direct sunlight. It is also susceptible to insect damage and rotting, so it must be protected with chemicals or regular staining.
Spruce is a softwood that is often used in the construction of shingled roofs, but it can be used as a siding material too. It is affordable and incredibly versatile, allowing homeowners to add a pop of color or even match it with other types of home siding. Spruce isn’t resistant to rot or insects, so it must be regularly stained or painted to protect it.
Almost every other type of siding on the market attempts to imitate the look of natural wood, because it is timeless and classic. The look of natural wood is something that is imprinted on the human brain, and it makes us feel safe and grounded.
Engineered wood is a newer type of siding that is made of wood fibers and durable resins. It’s less expensive than real wood and fiber cement, and it holds up better against severe weather. It can be purchased with a factory finish or painted, and it comes in a variety of simulated finishes (beaded lap, clapboard, wood shingles). You can find manufacturers that offer a lifetime warranty on this product, which is a good sign that it is built to last.
Engineered/Composite Wood
Often called manufactured, synthetic or composite wood, this type of siding is a lower-cost option that offers a range of customization options. It is also less susceptible to damage than real wood and can last for years with little maintenance.
This type of siding is made from a mix of wood strands, sawdust, resins, and wax that are heated and then combined in the lab to create a durable product that’s visually indistinguishable from classic cedar or pine wood. The process also allows for a variety of color and texture options, granting homeowners plenty of flexibility to realize their design vision.
Engineered wood is incredibly durable and able to stand up to harsh weather conditions such as scorching Texas summers, icy winters, and torrential downpours. It is resistant to rot, mildew, termite infestations, and warping, which makes it an ideal alternative to traditional wood siding. In fact, the lifespan of engineered wood is 20-30 years with very little need for maintenance.
Another benefit of engineered wood is its ability to withstand impact damage. This is important since the exterior of your home is often subject to impact from things such as hail, windblown branches, and even baseballs. Engineered wood, such as KWP’s Eco-Side, is designed to withstand these impacts better than other cladding materials like vinyl and fiber cement.
Because it is made from recycled lumber, engineered wood is also environmentally friendly. Additionally, it is free of the toxins found in some other cladding products, such as zinc borate, which can cause lung, eye, and skin irritation.
This type of siding is also highly versatile and available in a wide variety of style choices, including lap siding and shingles. You can even choose from different textures, colors, and finishes to ensure that your new siding is in perfect harmony with the rest of your home’s exterior. Plus, if you work with a reputable contractor that’s an approved installer for a reputable brand, your engineered wood siding will come with a generous warranty. This is a great bonus to consider when making your final decision.
Metal
Metal siding is a modern construction material that’s growing in popularity with homeowners and builders alike. It’s durable enough to resist the harsh weather conditions that age and wear down other types of siding. It also has an inherent energy-saving benefit: Unlike wood, it doesn’t absorb or release heat as easily, so your home maintains a comfortable indoor temperature with less work from your heating and cooling systems.
Whether you’re building an urban loft in the city or a rustic countryside villa, you can find metal siding that suits your design style. Its versatile palette—from earthy brown and chestnut brown to leaf green, desert beige, and terra-cotta colonial red—gives you the flexibility to complement your unique architectural features and add the final touch that completes your home.
A popular choice for commercial buildings, metal wall panels are nonflammable and don’t warp in changing humidity. They’re also resistant to mildew, pests, and other infestations that might threaten other types of construction materials. Because they’re a sturdy and reliable alternative to traditional siding, many companies offer long-term warranties on their products.
In addition to the durability and longevity that make metal siding a smart option for your home, it’s easy to keep clean and requires less maintenance than other materials. Aside from routine washing, your metal siding will probably only need re-painting every few years—which makes it a cost-effective investment for your property.
The price of metal siding can vary, depending on the thickness and size of the panels as well as any coatings or treatments. Some manufacturers sell their products directly to homeowners; others partner with contractors to handle the sales and installation. In most instances, a contractor will help you determine your needs and order your siding from the manufacturer based on your materials list. This saves you the hassle of doing the research yourself, but it also carries a markup.
Some of the more notable manufacturers of metal siding include McElroy Metal, Flexospan, and Quality Edge. Each offers a variety of panel sizes, including wavy corrugated panels and standing seams. Their website also features a useful visualizer tool, which helps you imagine what your finished project will look like before you commit to purchasing it.
Vinyl
Vinyl has been around since the 1950s and is one of the most popular siding options for homeowners. Many people like its low cost and ease of installation combined with the fact that it’s relatively maintenance-free. Others love the way modern vinyl panels look. However, there are some drawbacks to consider before committing to this type of siding. For instance, it can easily be dented by an errant baseball or power wash, and once it’s been dinged up, that’s pretty much it. It can also crack in extremely cold weather and color fade over time.
The good news is that these issues don’t have to be deal-breakers for homeowners, especially if they’re willing to choose darker shades of vinyl and take the necessary steps to protect their investment. To prevent fading, vinyl should be covered with a UV-protection coating. This will help keep harmful rays from fading the material, and it can add an extra layer of durability to the siding as well.
Another downside to vinyl is that it’s not as environmentally friendly as some other types of siding. PVC, which is the material that vinyl is made from, releases greenhouse gases and carcinogens into the atmosphere during manufacturing and is difficult to recycle. If you choose this option for your home, it’s important to work with a company that cares about the environment as much as you do.
Because vinyl is moisture-resistant, it’s a less attractive choice for pests that typically seek out damp or decaying wood. However, regular inspections and cleaning should still be done to ensure that pests don’t make their way inside your home.
Due to the float that is created by expansion and contraction of vinyl siding, it cannot be butted tight against trim pieces. Quality-conscious installers will leave about 1/4 inch of clearance (3/8 inch in temperatures below 40 degrees F) at the end of panel courses and at corners and door and window openings. This allows for a more customized look and minimizes the potential of water seepage or heat loss.
Another drawback to vinyl is that it can become brittle with age, and may require replacement within 10-15 years in certain climates. However, this doesn’t mean that vinyl is a poor choice for your home; if you’re able to find a trustworthy contractor, the product can last a very long time.