Written by Rusco Industries Calgary Ltd.
Your house needs a little exterior renovation, and you’ve decided to replace the siding and give your home a face lift. However, you’ll have to sift through a lot of siding choices before you’ll find the right type for your home. To shorten the search, you can make a few decisions ahead of time and research your options by reading the tips below.
Factors to Consider Before Buying
Different types of siding come with different advantages and disadvantages, so you have to decide what you need from your siding before beginning your search.
Do you want to keep the style of your home or revamp it?
Siding comes in a lot of colours and textures, so it has a large impact on the style of your home. Metal won’t give the same impression as wooden slats or vinyl. Metal suggest a contemporary style, while wooden slats suggest country/cottage living; and vinyl suggests economical.
Can you handle a lot of maintenance or do you want low-stress siding?
How much work do you want to put into your siding? Some types of siding require more upkeep than others. For example, wood requires a lot more upkeep than metal or fiber board sidings, and vinyl falls somewhere in-between. Low-maintenance siding also normally lasts a lot longer than high-maintenance siding.
Will the material weather the climate well?
Metal and vinyl weather all kinds of climates very well. Wood, however, doesn’t do especially well in wet climates. Manufacturers often treat wood siding to withstand wet climates, but it will still require upkeep. Just pick a siding that will stay in good condition despite the humidity and the temperature.
How much will you spend on your siding?
Certain siding materials also cost more than others. Decide how much you want to spend, and then shop around for options in your price range.
Types of Siding
Now that you know what you want out of your siding, you can pick a siding material that fits your style, durability, and price preferences. You can see images and descriptions of these Calgary siding options on our website to give you an idea.
Vinyl
You can buy several grades and styles of vinyl, so this material can meet any style or budget preferences. Manufacturers also make it to mimic all kinds of other materials, including shake or stone veneers. Other advantages include:
Durable, but flexible construction
Low maintenance
Wide colour options
Low cost
However, vinyl also has a number of disadvantages:
Materials tend to fade in sunlight
Non-paintable surfaces
Cheaper appearance (but only with lower-grade materials)
Considering the low cost and the number of options, you can probably overlook the disadvantages and find the perfect vinyl siding for your home.
CraneBoard
This insulated vinyl siding has up to 19% higher R value, and is more durable and flexible than standard insulated siding, With our exclusive TXL Lamination Technology, CraneBoard Solid Core Siding has over 200% more bond strength between the siding and Solid Core backer foam, providing enhanced impact resistance, and smoother, straighter walls. Other advantages include:
True maintenance freedom
Absorbs and reflects radiant heat
Reduces thermal conductivity
Up to 45% quieter
Wind resistant up to 200 mph
Available in a variety of colours and architectural accessories, the main disadvantage is that the price of CraneBoard Solid Core Siding is more expensive than regular vinyl siding.
Wood
If you are looking to obtain a greener, more attractive option, you can consider wood. It requires more upkeep, but you can create a truly elegant and rustic look for your home with wooden siding. Wood’s advantages include:
Multiple styles, like tree bark, shakes, shingles, clapboards, and vertical boards
Paintable surfaces
Long life (with upkeep)
Wood also has some disadvantages, including:
Flammable materials
Higher cost
High maintenance required with staining, rot, insects, etc.
However, you can purchase engineered wood options if you want the look of wood without the upkeep. Manufacturers construct it like plywood, which makes it very strong. It doesn’t cost as much as regular wood siding and it only requires moisture treatment.
Celect Cellular Exteriors
Don’t want to worry about your siding at all? Choose Celect Cellular siding. This new type of siding lasts a very long time and it can mimic a host of other materials, including wood. Unless a disaster happens, you won’t have to perform maintenance at all. Celect boasts several advantages, such as:
Advanced ability to mimic other materials without looking “fake”
Lasting colour
Seamless appearance
Incredible durability
This material has only one concrete disadvantage: it is the most expensive compared to other siding products. However, if you find Celect Cellular siding is within your budget, you should seriously consider buying it. It will serve you well for a very long time.
Fibre Cement
A mixture of sand, wood fibre, Portland cement, and other elements creates this durable material. It doesn’t shrink or expand with the climate, and it accepts paint if you want to change the colour. It can also mimic the look of wood very well. It has a number of great advantages:
Advanced durability (it can last for decades)
Very, very low maintenance
Fireproof materials
Fibre cement also comes in a variety of styles, including shingles, panels, and boards. It gives you a lot of customization options, so you can use it to match any style. However, it also has its disadvantages:
High cost
Messy/difficult installation process
Although this material costs more up front, it will save you money on maintenance costs later.
Metal
Steel and aluminum also last a long time – although steel needs a coating to resist rust and corrosion. Steel gives you a heavier, more durable option while aluminum typically costs a little less. Other benefits include:
Very low maintenance
High durability
Made from fireproof materials
Made from recyclable materials
Seamless appearance
Like everything else, metal siding comes with its own particular challenges:
Non-paintable materials that fade with time
High risk for dents (especially with aluminum)
However, you can solve the painting problem with a PVC coating. Just make sure you don’t swing any heavy equipment near your metal siding and it will look beautiful for many years.
Cultured Stonework
Adding cultured stonework to enhance your siding is an excellent way to add attraction and curb appeal to your home. It’s ideal for installing beneath the siding, covering up unsightly or damaged parging or cement, and for accenting areas such as pillars and corners where you want your architectural design to stand out.
Shakes
Decorative shakes or shingles are another product that can be used to add a decorative touch. They deliver the perfect balance of clean lines offering a traditional look with a hint of ruggedness.
Contact Rusco Industries! A reputable siding contractor in Calgary.
