The Best Siding Materials for Extreme Weather | Big Easy Siding
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Weatherproof Your Home: The Best Siding Materials for Extreme Weather

As climate change continues to become more and more of an impending reality, it’s increasingly important to weatherproof your home against extreme weather conditions. Siding is often one of the first and most important factors – it protects your home from wind, rain, hail, snow, and the sun’s rays.

But what type of siding materials are the best for extreme weather circumstances?

Well, you’ve come to the right place to find out! In this blog post, we’ll discuss the best siding materials for extreme weather and explain how you can use them to weatherproof your home. So read on and prepare to arm your home against all that Mother Nature has to throw at it!

Benefits of Weatherproof Siding

Weatherproofing your home is an important means of protection against extreme weather and offers various benefits.

  • Weatherproof siding has a protective film that helps resist water and damage caused by the sun’s ultraviolet rays, as well as other types of debris.
  • It also provides an additional layer of insulation to your home, helping to keep indoor temperatures stable while significantly reducing energy costs.
  • Investing in weatherproof siding can also help increase a home’s curb appeal, improving its value and making it look attractive to potential buyers.

On the other hand, some may believe there are issues associated with the installation and maintenance of weatherproof siding that could make it an expensive choice compared to other materials. While more expensive initial costs may be a factor for some, the long-term return on investment for selecting weatherproof siding can outweigh the short-term concerns.

Overall, weatherproof siding can make a huge impact on protecting and beautifying your home, ensuring durability in extreme weather conditions year after year. With that said, the next section will focus on one specific option for this type of exterior material: vinyl siding.

Vinyl Siding

To weatherproof your home, you may consider vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is a popular choice in extreme weather climates because it has been used for more than 50 years and still remains one of the most popular options due to its affordability and low maintenance requirements. It also comes in many colors and styles that can match any home’s aesthetic.

insulated vinyl sidingOn the other hand, vinyl siding is not a good insulator, which means it cannot protect the house from collecting heat during hot summer days or losing heat in winter. Additionally, it tends to warp when exposed to too much sunlight — including discoloration. Even though it can withstand harsh weather conditions, its lifespan may be shorter than other materials such as stone, brick, or metal siding.

These pros and cons of vinyl siding must be considered when deciding whether this material is the best option for weatherproofing your home.

  • Vinyl siding is one of the most popular siding choices for its resistance to fading, warping, cracking, and other common damage caused by extreme weather conditions.
  • Steel siding is proof against severe hail and wind damage and has been proven in lab tests to withstand impact from a two-inch ball bearing traveling at 50 mph.
  • Brick veneer siding is highly resistant to fire, winds up to 110 miles per hour, extreme cold and heat, and moisture.

Aluminum Composite Metal (ACM) Siding

Aluminum Composite Material (ACM) siding is a popular option for those looking to weatherproof their homes from extreme weather. It is a cost-effective and low-maintenance material, as well as relatively lightweight. ACM siding features two sheets of aluminum bonded to a core layer of insulation, typically plastic or foam. Homeowners benefit from this lightweight construction because it makes installation easier than heavier materials such as steel or vinyl.

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On the pros side, ACM siding provides lasting protection from wind and other inclement weather. The aluminum is exceptionally resistant to damage caused by moisture, and its additional layers provide extra insulation that can help keep energy bills low during hot summer months. To top it off, ACM siding comes in a variety of colors and textures, so homeowners have ample options when it comes to finding a look that suits their style.

While there are several advantages to ACM siding, it also has some drawbacks. One of the biggest concerns is that rain gutters should be installed with an overhang on all sides of the ACM panels which can increase installation costs and time significantly. Additionally, if not properly insulated, ACM siding could let out more heat energy than more traditional materials like fiber cement or vinyl. This can result in higher energy bills during colder months and make the home less comfortable year-round. Lastly, since installation requires special tools, you’ll need to hire a siding professional who may charge premium rates for their services and experience with ACM panels.

Despite these potential drawbacks, ACM siding is often still seen as an attractive material for weatherproofing one’s home due to its overall strength and durability when very extreme weather threatens the exterior of your house. With this in mind, let’s turn our attention to uncovering the advantages of choosing ACM siding for your extreme weather needs.

Tyvek HomeWraps

Tyvek HomeWraps is the latest in weatherproofing technology and offers a wide range of benefits to homeowners. Unlike vinyl or metal sidings, Tyvek’s proprietary membrane can protect your home from extreme weather without sacrificing its breathability. This allows moisture buildup to escape your walls rather than accumulating and causing damage in other areas of the home. It’s also incredibly lightweight and easy to install, making it an ideal choice for those looking for low-maintenance solutions.

On the other hand, some people might worry about the costs associated with Tyvek HomeWraps. While the material often costs more initially compared to wood or vinyl siding, the long-term benefits may still outweigh it as they tend to last longer with minimum upkeep. Therefore, many believe that investing in a Tyvek wrap may be worth it when considering the need for weather protection.

Overall, Tyvek HomeWraps is an effective way to safeguard your home against energy loss or extreme weather conditions without compromising breathability. With its lightweight materials and low maintenance requirements, it’s no wonder why this type of siding has quickly become a popular option among homeowners around the world.

Building upon traditional techniques while offering enhanced durability, now let’s explore how wood and brick siding holds up to extreme weather conditions.

Wood and Brick Siding

Wood and Brick Siding are popular choices for homeowners when it comes to siding materials that can withstand extreme weather. Using wood and brick can give a house an elegant, rustic, or timeless appearance. Wood is a great insulator, meaning it helps to keep a house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Furthermore, it can be stained or painted in various ways to bring out its natural beauty. However, over time wooden siding can deteriorate if not properly maintained and repaired. Sealing the wood periodically may help reduce potential damage from harsh weather conditions.

Wood-SidingOn the other hand, brick siding can also provide protection from extreme weather events as brick essentially is composed of minerals held together by a strong cement-like mortar. Unlike other siding materials such as vinyl and aluminum, bricks are highly resistant to corrosion and rot due to their mineral composition.

Additionally, brick gives a home a traditional, classic look that can add significant value to your property should you choose to resell in the future. Although bricks are extremely durable, they may need to be repointed or replaced if they start to become loose or cracked due to long-term use or extreme weather events.

Both Wooden Siding and Brick Siding can provide essential protection for your home against adverse weather conditions, although proper maintenance and upkeep may be needed depending on which option you choose.

Metal and Stone Siding

Metal and stone siding can provide a strong and lasting solution to weather-proofing your home in extreme conditions. It’s an especially effective shield against hail, wind, and icy blasts of winter. Metal can be used in two ways: as solid panels of aluminum or steel, or as a lightweight composite coated with a thin layer of increasingly popular non-combustible stone materials.

house exterior with stone veneer sidingSolid metal sheets are usually the most affordable option, but because they expand and contract with temperature fluctuations, gaps between panels can form that reduce their effectiveness in some areas. Lightweight composite siding contains minerals and other components that widen its temperature range to better deal with variable temperatures and maintain even seams.

Many homeowners opt for the stone-coated route, as these products often come in visually appealing textures and colors to fit a variety of aesthetic preferences. The downside is that this siding could be more expensive than the others due to both its materials and installation costs.

While metal and stone siding offer protection from storms and temperatures, insulated vinyl or composite siding will keep the indoor environment just as sheltered. Insulated vinyl siding has become increasingly popular due to its durability, low maintenance requirements, affordability, insulation capability, and available textures and colors.

Additionally, it’s often easy to install on any type of structure regardless of age or design. Insulated composite wood options offer a similar range of benefits—the added strength of wood makes this choice perfect if you want extra protection during high-impact events like hail storms—but will likely require extra capital upfront. Now that we’ve explored the options of metal and stone siding, let’s move on next to consider how insulated vinyl or composite siding could be best used to weatherproof your home in extreme conditions.

Insulated Vinyl and Composite Siding

Insulated vinyl and composite siding are two of the most popular materials for weatherproofing the exterior shell of your home. Insulated vinyl siding is often made from a combination of materials, such as PVC, rigid foam insulation, and foam-back vinyl; all of which are designed to help increase the energy efficiency of your home by keeping the temperature at a comfortable level inside.

The rigid foam insulation also helps to reduce noise pollution from outside sources. Some drawbacks associated with insulated vinyl siding include its lack of durability when compared to other materials like wood or stucco and its tendency to fade or discolor if exposed to direct sun or harsh weather conditions over time.

Composite siding, on the other hand, is composed primarily of wood pulp fibers, clay, and cement material bound together with resins. It can be painted in any color and is highly resistant to fire, moisture, and insect infestation as well as being able to withstand high winds. Some drawbacks include its somewhat higher cost when compared to insulated vinyl siding as well as its potential for cracking and splitting if improperly installed or allowed to warp due to inadequate caulking, sealing, or ventilation problems.

Considering both options may seem overwhelming; however, taking into account the advantages and disadvantages of each material will allow you to make an informed decision about which option best fits your needs and budget. After assessing both types of siding in terms of energy efficiency, cost, durability, and other factors, you can come up with a conclusion about which type of siding would be best for your home’s specific weatherproofing needs.

Conclusion

There are several options available for those who want to weatherproof their homes from extreme environmental conditions. Each type of siding has its own benefits and drawbacks which need to be considered carefully before making a decision. Once you have decided which material is best suited for your area and budget, you can then move forward with installing it on your home for maximum protection.

For any professional help and inquiries regarding the installation of weatherproof siding, contact Big Easy Siding. We specialize in quality siding installation and repair services that can help you protect your home from whatever Mother Nature throws it’s way. Contact us today to get started.

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