New Siding Can Change the Look Of Your Home
Whether looking at one's own home or scoping out a new one, the first place a person's eyes are drawn to is the exterior of the home. The majority of a home's exterior consists of siding or bricks. Siding is used as both a protective layer to keep the structural components of a home safe from adverse weather conditions and to provide an aesthetically pleasing look.
Siding is applied to the exterior of a home to cover all spaces that are not filled by windows or doors. It can be made of different materials. Of the most common options, vinyl siding is arguably the most used and popular used due to its durability and cost-effectiveness. This exterior covering can be purchased in a variety of colors, so homeowners can opt to create the perfect exterior look for their home.
Materials and Styles of Siding
As we discussed above, there are various types of siding that one can have installed to protect the exterior of their home. The type of siding that one chooses will highly depend on its overall look and functionality. There are three main types of siding that are used for houses around the country. These include:
- Vinyl Siding - Vinyl siding is the most popular type of siding installed on homes throughout the United States. This low-cost option provides a decent protective layer that is available in a variety of colors. It's very low-maintenance, so homeowners will only need to pressure wash their siding every couple of years. Vinyl siding comes with interlocking edges that are easily joined together to create a solid barrier from the elements. It's available in a range of styles, such as vertical and horizontal panels.
- Wood Siding - Many would agree that wood siding provides a sleek and attractive look for any home, regardless of its architectural design. Wood is an extremely durable material that is available in a wide range of textures, styles, and finishes. When it comes to cost, wood is going to be one of the most expensive types of siding to have installed. It will also require a high level of maintenance from the homeowner, as wood can be highly susceptible to rot.
- Metal Siding - Most metal siding is constructed from aluminum or steel. It's produced with interlocking edges, similar to vinyl siding, that make for a quick and tight installation. Metal siding comes in a variety of styles, including horizontal and vertical strips. Unlike wood siding, metal siding doesn't require as much maintenance. However, this type of siding tends to be more expensive than vinyl siding for the average homeowner.
Installing Siding
Siding is one component of a home that is fairly expensive to replace. Although it depends on the exterior square footage of your home and the type of siding a person chooses to have installed, one can expect to pay anywhere from $4,000 to $20,000 for a complete installation. At this rate, one may consider the cost-savings associated with self-installation over hiring a professional.
Being able to purchase materials and do one's labor is a great way to save money on a home renovation project. However, this only holds true when the job is done right. Before one makes the decision to DIY their home siding, here are some things that they should consider:
- Their Level Of Experience
- Amount Of Manpower Available
- Time Commitment
- Available Tools
Siding installation is not one of the best DIY projects to start out with for a home renovation newbie. It needs to be installed correctly to create a water barrier to protect the structural components of a home. If installed incorrectly, water can penetrate the material, and pieces of siding may even rip off during heavy storms.
Hiring a professional to replace the siding on a home comes along with many awesome benefits. The first and most important benefit is that the siding is installed correctly. The homeowner won't have to worry about unwanted moisture penetration or loose siding during windstorms. Professionals also have the knowledge to identify underlying problems with the structural components of a home and can alert the homeowner prior to installing the new siding material.
