It’s essential to make an informed decision when selecting a siding material for your home. Siding protects your building’s structure from the elements and contributes to curb appeal. In addition, affordability, durability, maintenance, and overall appearance should all be considered. Vinyl and fibre cement are two popular siding options today.
Red Panda Roofing & Siding Ltd. in Edmonton specializes in vinyl and fibre cement siding. They offer information on these two materials to help you choose the best option for your home.
What is vinyl siding?
Vinyl siding is made from a rigid form of plastic called PVC (polyvinyl chloride). It’s affixed to the exterior of buildings. However, it is not nailed down. This allows the vinyl to expand and contract with temperature fluctuations.
What is fibre cement siding?
Combining wood pulp and Portland cement creates fibre cement siding. It is then formed into long planks or shingles resembling wood or stone. These are attached directly to the exterior of the building.
Cost
There isn’t a huge price difference between vinyl and fibre cement siding. However, vinyl does cost less both in materials and labour for installation. Insulated vinyl siding also saves you money on heating and cooling costs, making it an economical option.
Appearance
Both vinyl and fibre cement come in a range of attractive colours and styles. This makes either an excellent choice for boosting your home’s curb appeal. Vinyl siding does offer more colour and decorative options than fibre cement. However, you can paint or stain fibre cement to be any colour (unlike vinyl). Fibre cement can also mimick the look of genuine wood, complete with wood grain texture on the planks. In addition, fibre cement maintains its appearance longer, whereas vinyl wears down and fades more quickly.
Durability
Vinyl and fibre cement are more durable materials than traditional wood siding. If you install vinyl siding on your building, it should last 20 to 40 years. On the other hand, fibre cement can last for 50 years or more when properly installed and maintained. In general, vinyl is more susceptible to temperature fluctuations and warping. Learn about repairing vinyl siding.
Maintenance
Fibre cement requires more maintenance than vinyl. While you can basically forget about vinyl once professionally installed, fibre cement needs more attention. For example, you must caulk fibre cement upon installation. If you choose to paint it a different colour, you must repaint it periodically, at least every 10 to 15 years. When they get dirty, you can clean both types with a garden hose and scrub brush.
Siding Contractors in Edmonton
Red Panda Roofing & Siding Ltd. offers roofing and exterior services for homeowners and businesses in the Edmonton area. They supply exterior products such as Alu-Rex gutter guard, insulation, window and door capping, and soffit & fascia. Additionally, they also specialize in vinyl and fibre cement siding. They strive to provide excellent customer service through transparent communication, expert knowledge, and quality workmanship.
Contact Red Panda Roofing & Siding Ltd. for your consultation!
