A Look at Different Siding Materials
The options for siding materials in this day and age are quite varied. You can get siding made from natural or man made materials; in turn, siding made from man made materials can mimic the look of natural materials. You can get the look of wood from many man made options, and you can also get a wide variety of colors to suit your taste.
Cement board is one type of man made siding material. Many people like the fact that cement board is very durable and fire resistant. It is also weather resistant and has a cost similar to that of either wood or vinyl siding. However, you will want to use some type of insulation along with it since it won’t block out noise or heat very effectively. It does not need much maintenance and can be purchased either ready to paint, ready to seal, or totally finished depending on your tastes.
Vinyl is one of the most commonly used siding materials and can be made to mimic other styles of siding, including log cabin cedar shake. You can get it in a very wide range of colors, and it is fairly easy to install. If a piece should happen to get snapped off in high winds, it is relatively simple to replace. Newer styles are treated with fade resistant color to keep the siding looking great for an even longer period of time.
Of course, wood is a natural siding material. Wood siding looks great, but requires a lot more maintenance than the majority of the materials that people use these days. However, many people still prefer it to the look-alike man made alternative. It has some insulating properties as well so you don’t need as much insulation as with some of the other available options. Damaged wood siding should be replaced to keep out air, dirt and insects. Get tips in this Home Depot video:
Another option is aluminum siding. Aluminum is stronger than vinyl, although it can still be dented. It is preferable to get it professionally installed since metal is a bit heavier and more difficult to work with. It is pretty durable, though, and resistant to fire, insects and rot. Compared to wood, aluminum is easier to maintain, although it may need to be repainted over time.
