Vinyl Siding: Pros and Cons to Help You Decide | Big Easy Siding
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Vinyl Siding: Pros and Cons to Help You Decide

What is Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding is a widely used type of exterior wall cladding. It is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which is a type of plastic that is easy to manufacture into panels, providing a durable and attractive option for the outside of buildings. Vinyl siding is generally sold in length-wise panels, which are then cut to fit the desired size and shape of the exterior wall when installed.

The pros and cons of this popular material must be considered carefully before making any decisions. For starters, there are several advantages that come with choosing vinyl siding over other materials. On the flip side, there are some downsides to vinyl siding as well.

Considering both pros and cons when making your decision is essential to ensure that you make the best choice possible for your home. With that in mind, let’s move on to the next section where we’ll discuss the various benefits that come with opting for vinyl siding: “Pros of Vinyl Siding”.

Pros of Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular exterior cladding options today, due to its affordability and long-lasting performance. It can be a great choice for any homeowner looking to update their home’s exterior in an affordable way. Here are some of the major pros of vinyl siding.

Low Cost

Vinyl siding is one of the most economical siding options available, with installation costs generally lower than other materials such as wood or stone. The cost savings from using vinyl will often offset any additional maintenance required over time.

Easy Installation & Maintenance

Vinyl siding is lightweight and easy to install, which means less labor and installation time compared to other sidings. As for maintenance and repairs, it’s typically easier to do when compared to other types of cladding because the pieces are just snapped into place. This makes replacement and repairs a breeze, without needing any special tools or expensive professional help.

Wide Array Of Colors & Textures

Vinyl siding comes in a wide range of colors, textures, and styles that can mimic the look of wood or stone at a fraction of the cost. Because it’s manufactured by pressing plastic resin with pigment during production, homeowners have many customizable options available to them in terms of color and style.

Long-Term Durability

Home with Vinyl SidingVinyl siding has been around since the 1950s, demonstrating its longevity over time. When properly installed and maintained, vinyl siding can last up to 40 years — much longer than wood or engineered wood products. Additionally, it’s denser than wood so it won’t absorb moisture like wood does, meaning it won’t rot or warp over time like wood would.

Environmentally Friendly Option

While vinyl is made from a nonrenewable resource (petroleum products), it’s a recyclable material that doesn’t require many harsh chemicals for treatment or installation. Compared to painting your house every few years, using vinyl has a much less environmental impact over time due to its durability and low maintenance requirements.

When considering vinyl siding for your home, weigh out each advantage based on your individual needs and circumstances; however, there can be no denying that this popular option comes with plenty of benefits for homeowners! Next, we’ll look into how durable vinyl siding really is over time – an important consideration for anyone who wants their investment to last!

Longevity

Vinyl siding is often lauded for its ability to last many years, standing up to all kinds of weathering. In general, it is said to be able to survive the elements and can last up to 40 years, with some studies stating that it will last even longer if well-maintained. The thicker the siding, and the quality of the installation also play a role in how long it lasts. Vinyl is one of the most durable types of siding on the market, making it attractive to many homeowners looking for a long-term solution.

Cost and Maintenance Savings

When it comes to siding your home, deciding between vinyl and other materials often boils down to a comparison of cost and maintenance savings. Vinyl siding is generally more affordable than other methods of siding, such as wood, brick, or stucco. In terms of upfront cost, it can be significantly cheaper than those options. Moreover, vinyl siding is easy to install compared to some other materials and professional installation is often not required. Some homeowners even opt to do the installation themselves.

vinyl siding being washed with pressurize water

In terms of maintenance savings, vinyl siding is hard to beat. It needs virtually no upkeep; no painting or staining is necessary; you won’t have to deal with warping, rotting or rusting; and it’s naturally insect-resistant. That’s why many people feel that vinyl siding offers the best long-term value of any siding material when considering upfront cost plus ongoing maintenance costs over its lifetime.

On the other hand, some argue that the maintenance savings may not be as great as advertised. That’s because vinyl siding has to be replaced approximately every 20 years or so depending on how much sun exposure it gets and quality of installation. Plus, unless you hook up rain gutters to your new siding—something you wouldn’t need to do with brick—it will require cleaning periodically. Whether these costs for replacement and cleaning can equal the monthly upkeep expenses associated with wood or other types of siding is open for debate.

Cons of Vinyl Siding

In many cases, vinyl siding has one major con – it can become damaged quite easily. As mentioned before, its flexibility is an advantage because it can expand and contract with the weather, but this also means that it may crack when temperatures rise or fall quickly. Once vinyl siding becomes cracked, not only does it reduce the aesthetic appeal of your home exterior, but it can also create a few issues for homeowners when it comes to keeping the inside of their homes properly insulated. Additionally, soffit and fascia boards are particularly vulnerable to damage from hail and other extreme weather conditions.

Vinyl siding may not last as long as some other traditional cladding options such as brick. Depending on your area and climate, it’s common for homeowners to need to replace their vinyl siding every 9-20 years. Therefore, it may not be financially feasible in certain situations if you’re looking for an option that needs less maintenance over a longer period of time.

Finally, vinyl tends to absorb heat continuously which leads to an increase in energy consumption each month. There are energy-efficient grades of vinyl available which may decrease this issue but they may come at a higher cost upfront.

At the end of the day, there are some clear drawbacks associated with vinyl siding – but don’t worry – these cons should be weighed alongside the pros before making any major decisions about your home’s exterior. Now let’s move on to discussing installation to learn more about what you should know when you choose to go ahead with this popular home renovation project.

Installation

Installation of vinyl siding is relatively simple compared to other types of siding, making it a popular choice. This high-tech material’s interlocking design makes installation easy and efficient, with the entire process typically taking only one or two days. Vinyl siding can be easily cut and shaped to fit both corners of the home and any angles along its outer walls. As such, professional installers don’t need any specialized tools, nor do they have to spend time prepping the area.

However, not all homeowners may prefer self-installed siding for various reasons. Professional siding contractors often recommend removing existing materials before installing new vinyl siding because it helps create a layer between different materials that prevent intermittent moisture from invading your home. Additionally, an experienced installer will provide a warranty on their work and be knowledgeable about how to spot potential problems with the siding installation and fix them accordingly.

With installation either DIY or professionally done, choosing vinyl siding has its pros and cons that should be weighed carefully by prospective homeowners. Still, there are many other considerations to consider when determining whether vinyl siding is right for your home such as its environmental impact.

Environmental Impact of Vinyl Siding

When considering vinyl siding for your home, it is important to consider the environmental impact of the material. Vinyl siding has been available as a cladding material since the 1950s and is still widely used today. It is highly durable, low-maintenance, and relatively inexpensive when compared to other materials. On the other hand, some people argue that vinyl siding has a negative environmental impact due to its non-biodegradable nature and potential contribution to greenhouse gases.

From an environmental perspective, vinyl siding does have some advantages over certain traditional siding materials. For example, some concrete-based materials require more energy and water to produce than vinyl siding does, making it a more eco-friendly choice in those cases. Additionally, many types of vinyl siding are recyclable, which reduces their lifetime waste byproducts.

Other Options for Exterior Siding

When considering vinyl siding, it is wise to compare other cost-effective and attractive options for exterior siding. Some alternatives worth exploring include the following materials:

Wood Siding

Paint or Replace Wood Siding: Which is Cheaper?Wood siding offers an attractive look that can be stained or painted in a variety of colors. This timeless material can last up to 40 years if properly maintained, but it is vulnerable to pests, mold growth, and weathering. The initial installation also requires additional labor costs and maintenance such as regular painting or staining. Additionally, wood siding may not meet various building codes in certain states due to its combustible nature.

Fiber Cement Siding

This durable material could last a lifetime if well-maintained and is resistant to fire, rot, pest damage, and mold growth. It also comes in a wide array of colors and styles so it can harmonize with almost any type of architecture. This siding can be installed using similar techniques as vinyl’s but requires more advanced knowledge and skill due to its heavier weight and need for precise cutting. Fiber cement can cost up to twice as much as vinyl siding making it prohibitively expensive for some homeowners.

Brick Veneer

This classic material allows you to customize the color and texture of your house’s exterior. Though brick veneer has great insulation value and very low upkeep costs, its installation is time-consuming and labor-intensive resulting in higher labor costs than vinyl siding. Brick veneer may run higher on price tag compared to some other alternatives as well.

Stone Veneer

Like brick veneer, this luxe choice is made from natural stone cut into thin slices that are applied to the home’s exterior individually or as one combined piece with mortar bonding them together. The stone veneer looks distinctive and adds aesthetic appeal but also carries a higher price tag due to installation costs and the fact that individual pieces must be securely set in place before the next ones are added on top. This can add significant installation time which drives up the labor costs associated with stone veneer..

At the end of the day, there are plenty of other exterior siding options aside from vinyl with their own advantages and disadvantages depending on cost points, desired style, climate conditions, and local building code requirements. With careful consideration of each option’s benefits and drawbacks, you’ll have all you need to make an informed decision that meets your needs while staying within budget.

Conclusion

Vinyl siding is a popular choice for homes due to its affordability, durability, and energy efficiency benefits. However, other types of exterior cladding may better suit certain needs or preferences. Homeowners should consider each type of available material carefully before making their selection in order to get the most out of their investment. With careful consideration and research, homeowners can find the perfect type of siding for their home.

Give Big Easy Siding a call, and our experts can help you determine the best siding option for your needs. We have extensive experience in helping homeowners choose the right material for their home’s exterior. Our team is knowledgeable and experienced, so you know you’ll be getting quality service that comes with a satisfaction guarantee. Contact us today to learn more about our siding services!

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