Vinyl siding is a great choice for your home, but it’s not the only one. If you want to make some changes to your house and explore other more durable and authentic options, then you are in the right place.
Our team at Clear Cut Xteriors LLC has years of experience in installing and replacing siding in the Minnesota area for years and is well-versed in the latest trends in the siding industry. Keeping all these things in mind, we have curated a list of seven alternative options to vinyl siding that can improve your home.
What Is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is a type of wall covering made from Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC). This plastic-based siding is known for its versatility and style options. Vinyl siding is one of the most popular types of siding with homeowners because it’s affordable, easy to work with, and durable. It also comes in many colors and designs, so you can pick something that fits your style.
Our team can install high-quality Ply Gem Vinyl Sidings on your home’s exterior. Some popular vinyl siding colors include shades of blue, brown, tan, and classic white.
Are There Any Cons Of Vinyl Siding
Most homeowners have a home with vinyl siding, but this trend has been shifting. This is due to certain issues such as warping or buckling which occasionally affect this type of plastic siding.
What Are Some Good Vinyl Siding Options?
With new advancements in technology and the increasing importance of your home’s curb appeal, you may also want to consider some other siding options. In the following section, we will discuss these options.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is a combination of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. This relatively new material came to the forefront of the industry in the 1990s as a replacement for asbestos. Fiber cement board is gaining the attention of homeowners as the material is more durable and weather resistant than vinyl siding.
Fiber cement siding also has many advantages over other types of sidings. It is durable and fire resistant, resistant to insects and rot, and can be painted or stained. This siding also comes in many colors and styles similar to vinyl which can help you improve your home’s curb appeal. There is a wide variety of color choices available, and this type of siding can even be made to look like other pricier materials, such as stucco and stone siding.
On the downside, despite being able to withstand harsh weather conditions, fiber cement siding will require regular maintenance. The installation process is also complicated, and you will need to hire a professional siding contractor. The most popular fiber cement siding on the market is James Hardie plank sidings.
Stucco Siding
In recent times, stucco siding has seen a dramatic rise in popularity. Over the years, stucco has overtaken vinyl siding as the most popular siding material used in new homes. Stucco is especially preferred in the Southwestern region, where the climate is relatively dry and warm compared to other areas. Stucco, also referred to as plaster, is made by combining cement, water, and other aggregates, making it a bit different from the usual siding materials used on houses.
A stucco siding is extremely durable and can easily last for up to 50-80 years in your home with low maintenance. It’s also fire-resistant, so it can withstand high temperatures without catching on fire or melting away like other types of siding such as vinyl.
Stucco material comes in various finishes, including smooth, rough, and even raised textures which resemble other finishes.
Aluminum Metal Siding
Aluminum siding is a type of metal siding that’s lightweight, durable, and easy to install. It’s also cost-effective since it can last for decades without needing maintenance or repairs.
Aluminum siding was first introduced in the 1930s and has since become one of the most popular types of exterior covering. Since aluminum is an abundant natural resource, it’s relatively inexpensive compared to other materials like wood and vinyl siding. Aluminum metal is also recyclable and therefore is a more eco-friendly option than other types of siding.
An additional highlight of aluminum siding, other than its price, is that this type of metal is resistant to corrosion from moisture, and damage caused by termites. If you live in an area where high humidity is common, aluminum is a good siding option considering its resistance to rot and is often used on houses in this type of climate for this exact reason.
However, one concern around aluminum siding is that it’s prone to dents and easily damaged by storms and hail. This type of siding also tends to lack the curb appeal that other house sidings provide. But if you’re looking to create modern architecture, aluminum gives you the option to explore various siding color combinations for a metal roof.
Wood Siding
Wood is one of the oldest types of siding material available on the market and has been used as a building material for thousands of years. One of the major advantages of natural wood siding is its exceptional aesthetic value. With its brown shade and rustic tone, your home will look great as the wood siding gives it a classic look. Real wood can give your home a cabin-like appearance, and the added curb appeal may add value to your property if you sell it someday.
Despite a good lifespan and a classic, beautiful look, there are a few problems with choosing a natural wood siding option. The first concern is that wood siding requires a high amount of maintenance, just like wood shingles would. You may need to paint and restain your wood siding every couple of years, and real wood can get dusty and will need additional cleaning. Wood siding is also highly absorbent, and can be susceptible to rot. All of this can be costly in the long run, so make sure to look for wood siding that will be suitable for the area that you live in.
Brick Siding
Brick siding is a popular, durable, and aesthetically pleasing material that is often used on the exterior of homes. Brick siding has been around for a long time and still looks great on many houses today. Many homeowners still prefer brick for their home exterior as it remains one of the most durable materials available. What is great about brick siding is that it can withstand snowy, cold weather or harsh thunderstorm conditions, and it protects the interior of your home better than other materials available.
Bricks are known as natural insulators, which is a great benefit of this choice in siding. It will help keep your home cooler when the temperatures rise in the summer. This material can help improve the energy efficiency of your home, as a cooler interior will enable you to spend less money on energy bills.
Installation of brick siding on your house may be more expensive than other options, as the material is heavy and may take longer to install. There are many benefits that make brick siding one of the best options for your home.
Stone Siding
If you want to install a premium type of siding on your house, consider a stone siding option. Natural stone siding offers a unique look that you can customize to your taste. It’s durable, long-lasting, and available in various colors and styles. Stone siding is an excellent option for those who want their home to stand out from the crowd but are looking for something that does not require too much maintenance.
Stone siding, also known as rock or natural stone veneer, comes from quarries around the world and is used on buildings’ exteriors for protection against weathering and erosion. Stone siding is by far one of the best materials for siding and can last a lifetime with virtually no maintenance. However, it is the most expensive option out of all the ones we have listed above. If you want a luxury option and have money to spare, then you should consider this siding.
Another option to consider if you want to add stone siding to your house without spending a fortune on natural stone siding is to consider faux stone siding. This is a low-maintenance siding that is manufactured instead of quarrying natural stone.
These materials come in various shapes, such as blocks or slabs, that are cut into pre-measured pieces of stone before installation.
Engineered Wood
As we have seen in the above section wood siding looks beautiful and can improve the curb appeal of your house, but needs to be regularly maintained. To remove these problems manufacturers came up with siding that is made of engineered wood. Unlike natural wood, engineered siding is manufactured from wood fibers and slivers. These fibers are then combined with exterior-grade resins to add durability to the product.
Engineered wood siding enhances regular siding in more ways than one way. A siding made of engineered wood is more durable and offers better resistance against termites. It is available in a variety of colors and styles, such as panels and lap siding. It costs much less than natural wood, and will not need as much maintenance as its natural counterpart.
However, experts say that despite its ability, it cannot match the look of natural wood siding.
Which Siding Should You Install?
All the options we have listed in this blog are some of the most popular ones on the market. They all have a good lifespan and offer great resistance against harsh weather conditions. Whether you’re looking for a traditional, timeless look, or something that will stand out in your neighborhood, you will be able to find an option that will work for you.
Your choice of siding will depend on various factors, such as the cost of the siding, the weather conditions of the area, and, more importantly, your preference.
The Best Siding Installation Services In Your Area
We hope that this information will help you to find the best siding material for your home.
If you are looking for a professional siding installation company that can install premium sidings on your home exteriors, contact the Clear Cut Xteriors LLC expert team. We have years of experience and take pride in our work.
We hope that you now know more about the different types of siding materials. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us at (651) 340-3410 and we will be happy to help you!
