Choosing the right type of siding for your dream home might not be glamorous, but it’s important, and a lot of folks don’t know where to start.Fear not, homeowners! We’re here to walk you through the pros and cons of two popular siding options, so you can make the right call.
VINYL PROS
Vinyl siding, first and foremost, is lightweight, easy to install, and surprisingly tough. Being made out of durable PVC plastic resin means vinyl is water repellent and won’t rust, warp, dent, rot, or chip.
Plus, cleaning is a breeze. A good power washing every two years will keep your home in great shape.
Vinyl also comes in a wide variety of colors and styles, from classic ivories and browns, to bolder greys, blues, and greens. And those colors will never flake or scratch, because vinyl siding does not need to be painted (or re-painted for that matter).
VINYL CONS
If you’re hit by a heavy hail storm, or your trusty lawnmower throws a rock straight into your home, you could have a cracked panel on your hands (so have your little leaguer take batting practice away from the house).
Luckily one cracked panel is easily replaced. Unfortunately, after 5-10 years of exposure, panel can fade in color, and a replacement panel might not match your home color exactly.
Vinyl is a great option if you’re looking for a low-maintenance, lightweight, durable siding.
CEMENT BOARD PROS
If vinyl is durable, then cement board is near indestructible.
Case in point, we heard about a St. Paul, MN house fire that torched two fire trucks 60 ft. away, while the neighbors cement board siding, only 50 ft. away, remained unharmed.
Not only is it fire-resistant, but rot and insect-resistant as well, with a 50-year warranty.
This stuff isn’t messing around.
Visually, cement board has almost infinite possibilities. It can mimic wood lap boards, cedar shingles, and shake siding, just to name a few. Plus, the color options know no bounds.
CEMENT BOARD CONS
Cement board weighs nearly five times as much as vinyl siding, which means more planning, more labor, and longer installation times, which will hit you right in the pocketbook.
It also has to be periodically caulked and repainted, which also drives up cost over time, though a Hardie Board ColorPlus ® Technology Warranty covers paint and labor for peeling and chipping finishes for 15 years.
Overall, cement board will weather whatever storm comes your way, for a price.
When building your new home, make sure you think of everything, even boring old siding.
And to talk to experts that will think of these things for you, contact us.
