Metal Siding for Your Home

While exterior siding is not a glamorous subject, the choice of siding material impacts how well your home is protected from the elements. In addition, different types of siding materials can change the look of your home, which can contribute to increasing your home's curb appeal and market value. While siding materials are made from many different materials, metal siding remains one of the more popular choices for home exteriors.

Metal siding is available in aluminum and in steel; of the two materials, most homeowners choose aluminum siding due to its affordability. Aluminum is durable, yet it is lightweight; in addition, aluminum siding is available in a number of different styles and finishes. Some styles of aluminum siding are difficult to distinguish from real wood siding unless you inspect them very carefully.

Steel siding is stronger than aluminum siding, but it is more expensive and is heavier, as well. Steel is often selected when metal siding is needed for an industrial application or when additional strength and durability are required. Some historic homes use steel siding to maintain an authentic period look.

Both types of metal siding require very little upkeep. In general, a good power washing once a year or so is all that aluminum or steel siding need to keep them looking great. Since metal siding is impervious to rot, mold, mildew, or pest infestations, homeowners are generally very pleased with metal siding's performance over that of wood siding.

Metal siding is also resistant to damage from fire or heat. Unlike wood siding, metal siding can't be burned, and unlike vinyl siding, heat from sources such as a barbecue grill or even the reflection off a neighbor's window cannot melt metal siding.

When it comes to color choices, the sky is the limit with metal siding. Most aluminum and steel siding is available from the manufacturer with a baked-on color, and metal siding can be painted in any color when it's time to update the look of a home's exterior. Over a period of years, the paint on metal siding may begin to fade and oxidize; when touching the siding imparts any type of chalky residue, it is time to repaint the siding.

While steel siding is strong enough to resist denting, aluminum siding is more susceptible to dents. Options for dent repair include repairing the dent itself or replacing the section of siding that includes the dent. If your aluminum siding becomes dented, enlist the advice of a siding specialist to help you determine the best way to repair it.

Aluminum siding is subject to slight expansion and contraction with variations in temperature. When installing aluminum siding, the installer must be careful to leave a small amount of space to allow room for aluminum sections to expand or contract. Steel siding is much less prone to this expansion and contraction; since steel siding can be manufactured without seams to fit the exact dimensions of a home, great care must be taken to measure carefully before the siding is ordered.

The Convenience and Appeal of Cedar Vinyl Siding

You are probably aware of the exquisite looks of cedar siding and the durability and lack of maintenance of vinyl siding. If you have ever wondered if the two of these could be combined, the answer is “Yes”. Learn more about the resulting cedar vinyl siding.

Solid Foam Core Siding: The Future of Siding

Siding that not only looks good but is also thermally resistant and provides attainable level of insulation for your home's interior. Believe it or not Solid Foam siding is all that and is also within a low to moderate price range.