PART 1: TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT VINYL SIDING

Whether you’re buying a yourself a new home or thinking of building your own from the ground up, one of the more important things you need to consider is your choice of exterior siding. There are many materials used as exterior siding, and one of the more popular choices among homeowners is vinyl.

WHAT IS VINYL SIDING, ANYWAY?

Vinyl siding is an engineered product made from polyvinyl chloride, otherwise known as PVC. In other words, it is mainly plastic, and serves as an alternative to wood, aluminum, and other siding options.

PART 1: TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT VINYL SIDING

Prior to the invention of PVC and its use as a siding material, painting was the generally accepted method of finishing the exterior walls of a home. However, painted finishes required constant maintenance and did not last very long. As a result, homeowners began to turn to aluminum siding as a popular alternative for many homes. But since aluminum also gets damaged quite easily, it was vinyl siding that eventually became the siding material of choice. First manufactured and introduced to the market in the late 1950s, vinyl penetrated the market more fully in the early 1960s, and steadily gained traction in the 1980s. The 1990s saw vinyl siding gaining ground even further, what with the introduction of nifty new features beyond merely being durable and cost-efficient. Today, various manufacturers sell vinyl siding with plenty of features that are attractive to consumers.

FOR THE LOVE OF VINYL

To this day, vinyl siding continues to be one of the most viable exterior finish options for many homes. It not only ranks high on the protection scale, it also requires minimal upkeep. It’s not uncommon to hear, “Choose vinyl and you’ll never have to paint your house again.” And it’s true, vinyl gives people the benefit of great aesthetic value without the need for constant upkeep that a painted finish requires.

However, while vinyl’s popularity has grown, so too has the mistaken notion that vinyl products are of low quality. This notion likely took hold because vinyl products are one of the most affordable options available to homeowners. But make no mistake: contrary to popular belief, many brands do offer superior quality vinyl siding at a cost that won’t break the bank.

Interested to learn more about vinyl? Read the next part of this ebook to delve deeper into advantages of getting vinyl siding, and why low-cost does not automatically mean low quality.

PART 1: TAKING A CLOSER LOOK AT VINYL SIDING

PART 2: WHY VINYL IS AN EXCELLENT SIDING MATERIAL

Vinyl siding was first introduced to the market a few decades ago; it quickly gained popularity as an alternative to high-maintenance painted exteriors and dent-prone aluminum siding that were the de rigueur choices back in the day.

In the previous chapter, we promised to discuss why vinyl remains one of the best siding options and why its low cost shouldn’t be equated with the quality it provides, you just need to know what to look for.

THE MANY ADVANTAGES OF GETTING VINYL SIDING

• It does not rot. One of the many reasons why vinyl siding works like a charm is because it offers something wood siding cannot: zero rot.

• It does not flake. Unlike paint finishes, vinyl won’t flake. Colors remain the same as they originally were when you first bought your product.

PART 2: WHY VINYL IS AN EXCELLENT SIDING MATERIAL

• It is unbelievably durable. While you may well doubt the claims of certain manufacturers that vinyl siding is permanent (or that it lasts forever), you can be certain that your vinyl siding will, in fact, last for a long, long time.

• There is virtually zero maintenance necessary. If there’s one thing that should convince consumers to buy a vinyl product, it’s the promise of zero maintenance. Vinyl siding does not require painting, much less regular repainting or touch-ups. It can help lower energy bills. Insulated vinyl helps conserve energy. Keep in mind, however, that real significant energy savings can only be had if you make sure to hire professionals to install your siding properly.

VINYL IS DEFINITELY NOT A TACKY SHORTCUT

Despite the many advantages of vinyl listed above, a number of consumers still feel uncomfortable about using vinyl siding on their homes, thinking that vinyl is a cheap and low-quality alternative to other siding options.

The truth of the matter is, vinyl and insulated vinyl siding consistently rank high in terms of return-on-investment (ROI) for home renovation projects. According to the 2014 Cost vs. Value Report, vinyl siding replacements for midrange and upscale projects give owners a 78.2% and 78.1% ROI, respectively, which translates roughly to about $9,000 and $11,000.

Is your interest piqued yet? Read the last part of this ebook to find out how vinyl siding compares with other siding options.

Exterior siding plays a crucial role in a home’s overall appearance. Depending on your choice, your house can look modern or traditional, contemporary or rustic. More importantly, your siding choice determines the amount of money you will need to spend over the long term to make your home look good and the amount of time you will need to spend maintaining it.

You probably know by now why vinyl siding makes for an excellent choice. However, despite its being a widely popular option, vinyl siding still is just one of the many options available to homeowners like you. Let’s take a look at how it compares with other siding materials.

PART 3: COMPARING VINYL TO OTHER SIDING OPTIONS

BRICK

• According to the RSMeans 2014 Residential Cost Data, using brick as siding when building or renovating is five times more expensive than when you use vinyl.

• However, vinyl siding also manages to outperform brick on a considerable number of performance measures tested by the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability (BEES) software.

• Vinyl has more profiles and shapes; this alone makes vinyl suitable for any style of architecture. Brick, on the other hand, can only cater to specific styles and colors.

WOOD

• Vinyl siding is flammable, but then again, so is wood.

• Vinyl is cheaper than wood siding but can mimic its look. Considerable improvements to vinyl over the years has made it even more durable and more visually appealing.

• Wood cannot compete with vinyl in terms of the variety of styles and colors available.

• Vinyl is easier to install.

• Wood has natural insulating properties, but there is now insulated vinyl to make up for that.

• There is no need to repaint vinyl, something that wood needs every now and then.

PART 3: COMPARING VINYL TO OTHER SIDING OPTIONS

FIBER CEMENT

• Vinyl and fiber cement both cost about 25% less than wood, stone, or brick siding.

• Fiber cement is heavier and more difficult to install, while vinyl is incredibly stable despite being lightweight.

• Vinyl can be used in different climates, while fiber cement is susceptible to complications arising from freezing and thawing.

• Fiber cement is absorptive cladding like wood, so it can rot or grow molds over time.

These are only some of the siding materials out there—and it is apparent that each has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, vinyl has proven itself worthy of being a great siding option. Just make sure you do your research and choose the right brand—one that offers both quality and affordability. More importantly, do not hesitate to seek professional assistance on vinyl siding installation.

PART 3: COMPARING VINYL TO OTHER SIDING OPTIONS

Peak Roofing Contractors

6886 Wellington Road | Manassas, VA 20109

(703) 745-5153

PeakRoofingContractors.com