Siding Types

Published by: Nicole Kinsman
Published on: 2010-01-10 15:26:13

When deciding to renovate a home the exterior is a big concern for many home owners. There are many types of siding that can be placed on a home. The only restrictions on the home owner are price of the material as well as visual appeal. However, with the large variety of siding options there is something that will fit everyone's budget.

The first option is to choose a siding that is easy to install. Vinyl and aluminum siding are the easiest types of siding to install on a home. The cost for these materials will vary depending on style as well as manufacturer. However, these types of siding are the least expensive for the home owner. After choosing the right material, the next step is to attach foam board insulation to the exterior of the home. Then attach the siding directly to the insulation with the appropriate fasteners. Most of these materials will come with instructions on how to properly install the siding to the home. When choosing fasteners make sure that they have a protective coating that prevents rust or corrosion. Using fasteners without this coating can mean additional maintenance for the home owner.

The second option available to home owners is to coat the exterior with wood siding. The cost for this type of siding will vary depending on the type of wood that is chosen. The most common material to use is T-111 boards. These boards are precut pieces of plywood that attach to the insulation. They are the easiest to install, however they do require routine maintenance and must be painted often to retain their beauty. Another common type of wood siding is called clapboard siding. This material is wedge shaped pieces of wood that are installed in an overlapping pattern to the insulation. The benefit of using this material is that is can be painted or left as is. This type of siding is primarily made from red cedar and can therefore withstand the elements better than T-111 siding.

The last option that is available to home owners is cement fiber siding. This material offers home owners the look and feel of a wood siding without the maintenance associated with those products. Cement fiber siding is made from sand, cement and cellulose material. The materials are mixed and curved with pressurized steam, a process that is called autoclaving. This material is extremely durable and requires little to no work to keep it looking beautiful from the first day to ten years down the road. The only drawback to using this material is that is requires professional installation and can be quite costly. However, the benefit of having siding that requires little to no maintenance is what attracts home owners to this product.

The most important thing to remember is that the siding you choose will be on your home for quite some time. The cost of the product as well as the maintenance associated with the siding should be factors to consider. Take your time and choose the product that will best fit your needs.

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