Vinyl siding is one of the most popular home siding materials in the country — and for good reason! This type of siding provides a whole host of benefits while still remaining one of the least expensive options available. As a siding material, vinyl panels are durable and weather resistant, provide insulation for both heating and cooling, require minimal amounts of maintenance, and are highly variable in appearance. There’s no doubt that if you’re looking for a cost-effective home exterior, vinyl is a great solution.
Lower Cost Than Other Siding Options
On average, vinyl siding is a cheaper option than any other siding material. That includes stone, wood, brick, and even stucco. The only alternative siding material that’s as cheap as vinyl is aluminum, but that doesn’t come with many of the benefits you get from vinyl. While vinyl may be cheap in price, it’s not cheap in quality. As we go through the other benefits of this siding option, the significance of this lower cost will become more apparent.
Highly Durable and Resistant
Siding durability generally refers to how long the material is expected to last before needing to be replaced. Although vinyl isn’t the most durable siding material available, it still has a life expectancy of at least 20 years in most cases (can be up to 40). This durability is due to the various resistances that vinyl siding has from the environment. It’s weather-resistant, moisture-resistant, and even slightly impact-resistant.
Weather resistance is simply how well the material can withstand things like wind, rain, hail, etc. Unless there is extreme wind, such as during a hurricane, vinyl siding should be able to withstand any weather.
Moisture resistance is a bit different than weather resistance in that the wall system as a whole plays a bigger role. The outer vinyl material will protect against most moisture from entering the wall. But moisture that does enter the wall can flow and dry out if the siding is properly installed. This will protect against moisture buildup, which can lead to rot and corrosion.
And lastly, vinyl is strong and flexible enough to avoid damage from small impacts. It’s not as impact-resistant as some other materials but should withstand impacts from hail and small branches.
Heating and Cooling Insulation
Something you may not expect of vinyl is its surprisingly high insulative properties. Although vinyl appears to be much thinner than other types of siding, such as wood, it often comes with an insulating layer behind the outer layer you see. Together, these layers help keep the interior of your home at a stable temperature. In the winter, this saves money on heating. And in the summer, it saves money on air conditioning.
Low Maintenance
One of the nicest benefits of vinyl siding is the low maintenance associated with it. Some other materials, especially wood, require significantly more maintenance and care than vinyl does. For vinyl, the only maintenance you will likely have to do is rinsing the panels off with a garden hose if they get too dirty. And if the dirt is difficult to get off, you just need to add some soap. It’s as simple as that!
However, there is still the possibility that further damage could occur. If the moisture that gets behind the panels is unable to drain, you may notice mold or mildew begin to accumulate. And in some cases, insects can burrow into the panels themselves. If you spot any of these signs of damage, the affected areas should be repaired and replaced before the damage spreads.
Variable in Appearance
Of course, we can’t forget about the appearance of vinyl siding when going over all of its benefits. Vinyl is one of the most variable sidings as far as appearances go. It comes in virtually every color and texture profile you can imagine, which means that it shouldn’t be too hard to find something you like. This variability is a core feature of most non-natural sidings. However, if you keep in mind that siding is generally cheaper than those other options, you can see why all of this customizability is so impressive.
Conclusion
Vinyl is one of the most cost-effective home siding options available. Not only does it generally cost lower than other siding materials, but it still comes with a whole host of benefits. It’s durable and weather-resistant, provides insulation, is low maintenance, and comes in a wide variety of colors and textures.
Friel Exteriors
If you’re interested in vinyl siding, or any other siding for that matter, for your home, contact us today. At Friel Exteriors, our expert technicians have experience with all kinds of exterior building materials, including stucco, vinyl, stone and brick veneer, and more!
