With all the options for siding for your home, and can be incredibly hard to decide which will work best for you. Vinyl siding and aluminum siding tend to be some of the most popular choices. It is important that you understand the key differences between both of these types of siding so that you are able to choose which one will work best for your home.
Consider the Cost and Value
The cost value of siding for either a business or a residential structure is important. When it comes to the difference between aluminum siding and vinyl siding, vinyl tends to cost less. In addition, vinyl siding tends to be much easier to maintain. Given the cost and value of vinyl siding, it tends to be one of the most preferred siding options in the United States. In comparison, aluminum siding tends to be more expensive.
When selecting a siding, many people appreciate that the vinyl option has so many color options available. The colors are also designed to be resistant to various weather elements, such as extreme temperatures and wind.
What Are the Maintenance Requirements?
When selecting an option for siding for your home, maintenance tends to be a major deciding factor. Both vinyl siding and aluminum siding do need support in order to last. Both sidings require periodic washing with a hose. You should also periodically wipe down the siding with soft towels. By taking these steps to remove accumulated stains and mud, you can prolong the life of each siding type.
When either siding option is exposed to adverse weather conditions, such as extreme heat or storms, they can lose their original color. As a result, you may want to apply a coat of paint periodically in order to allow them to keep their vibrant colors.
If you ever find that you have to replace the siding of your home, vinyl siding will be cheaper to use.
Which Type of Siding Is More Energy Efficient?
When purchasing siding for the home, many people look for an option that will help to increase energy efficiency. Having a home that is energy-efficient ensures that it is airtight and keeps the cool air in during the warm summer days in the hot air out. When it comes to both vinyl siding and aluminum siding, these two types of siding generally provide the same amount of insulation. With that being said, there is always room for improvement.
Which Siding Is More Durable?
Durability tends to be one of the most common factors that people take into consideration when choosing siding for their homes. When it comes to vinyl siding versus aluminum siding, it is important to consider that both sidings will last longer due to their thickness and gauge. A thicker siding will generally mean that it is stronger. With that being said, each type of siding has its own weaknesses.
If the structure is located in an area that is exposed to a lot of salt, such as near a busy highway that is frequently salted in the winter or near a body of saltwater, aluminum siding may not be the best option. This is due to the fact that salt tends to be incredibly corrosive and can cause damage to aluminum siding. Vinyl siding is typically not threatened by any type of salt content.
In colder climates, aluminum tends to be the most preferred option for siding. This is due to the fact that metal can stand up better to cold and will not crack easily. When the siding cracks, it allows moisture into the home, which can cause significant damage.
Which Siding Is More Versatile?
When purchasing siding, many people take into consideration whether or not it is versatile. There are several styles that aluminum siding comes in. They can be purchased in a board, batten, horizontal, or vertical style. This type of siding can include a woodlike texture. However, the fact that it has a metallic appearance makes it much harder to mimic the actual look of wood siding.
Both types of siding come prepainted. When vinyl siding is made, the color is added to the liquid mix. As a result, the color is all the way through the entire product. On the other hand, metal is generally enameled at the factory, and then paint is bonded to the finished product. The size, layout, and texture of both sidings have a level of versatility that tends to make most homeowners happy.
Which Option Is More Friendly to the Environment?
Given the push to go green on nearly every product offered on the market, many people consider which one is more friendly to the environment. When it comes to producing aluminum siding, very little energy is actually used. Aluminum siding is also able to be recycled, which means that it does not end up polluting the environment. Instead, it can be melted down and it can be reused for various purposes.
Vinyl siding is not as easy to recycle. When a person removes vinyl siding from their home, usually ends up everywhere. As a result, vinyl siding can contribute to pollution in our environment. In addition, it takes a lot of energy in order to make vinyl siding. With that being said, vinyl siding can last up to 50 years on the side of the home due to the fact that it has PVC in it and it does not break down as easily as other products. If the impact on the environment is a driving factor for you, then aluminum siding will be the best option.
Let Freeman Exteriors Help You Decide
If you are torn between deciding which type of siding you want for your home, feel free to reach out to our professionals at Freeman Exteriors. Our team can meet with you at your earliest convenience to discuss the pros and cons of each type of siding. We will help you determine which option is better for you so that you can have your home cited in the material that you truly love.
Whether you live in Illinois or Indiana, you can depend on our team to provide you with quality services that you can trust. Feel free to reach out to our team at your earliest convenience for a free estimate.
