March 14, 2014

Vinyl Siding vs. Steel Siding

 

Minneapolis Siding Contractors

When building, remodeling or updating a home, the exterior of a home needs careful thought. One important consideration is the exterior materials, such as siding. What type of siding material works best for your home and climate? The most popular types of siding are vinyl siding and steel siding. But what is the difference between the two? And how can a Minneapolis siding contractor help?

Like any type of construction material, there are advantages and disadvantages to each. Here are some considerations to keep in mind before selecting either vinyl or steel siding for your home exterior materials.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is incredibly popular and is probably the most widely-used in homes in the United States. Here are three reasons people choose vinyl siding.

Various styles and colors – Vinyl siding offers many colors and styles to spice up your home. And unlike painted wood or metal, vinyl siding’s color lasts for a long time. Paint can chip and flake, while vinyl siding will maintain its color over time.

Easy to install – Vinyl siding is light weight and easy to work with for siding installers. Vinyl siding is readily available, meaning that your project will never be short of components.

Costs – Vinyl siding is one of the least expensive cladding options for your home. Vinyl siding ranks among the best home improvement projects for cost recovery.

Vinyl siding cons – vinyl siding is susceptible to freezing cold weather. During freezing periods vinyl siding can become very brittle and chip/crack if impacted by falling ice, hail, or sleet. While this is very uncommon, it is still one of the disadvantages to vinyl siding.

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Steel Siding

Steel siding is another popular siding type in the United States. Here are some considerations to keep in mind when looking at steel siding.
Extremely durable – Steel siding is durable and able to withstand harsh temperatures. It holds up very well to heavy rain, snow, and even hail. Steel siding also eliminates insect problems. Steel siding is almost impervious to fire and may translate to lower insurance premiums.

Aesthetically pleasing – Steel siding is a true work of art. The look of steel siding is clean and crisp setting you apart from your neighbors. The new steel siding is being manufactured with patterns and textures to mimic wood and pre-painted panels that are sharp and last for over 20-years.

Steel siding cons – Although steel siding is protected against dents and other damage, it’s not 100% damage proof. If dents do happen, then they are permanent, or the damaged layer of siding will need to be replaced. Furthermore, steel siding isn’t always available in every location, and it is more expensive than vinyl or other home exterior material.

Finding Your Siding

Choosing the right type of siding for any home is a crucial decision in the construction of a home. It’s important for homeowners to select a siding type that is energy efficient, attractive, and fits their budget. All in all, the right Minneapolis siding contractor can help homeowners to determine which type of siding works best for their home and their budget.

 

Written By Thor Josefson

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