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Vinyl and wood are both useful materials for house siding. And while they share the common purpose of protecting the inside of a home from the effects of weather and wind, they have separate advantages and disadvantages. Consumers should weigh the pros and cons of the two types of siding before making a large investment.
- Wood
- Wood siding is very durable, easy to install and environmentally friendly because it is biodegradable. It is also relatively affordable and it can be painted to change its look. However, wood siding requires regular treatments and painting and the wood can be a target for termites. When left untreated, the wood can rot and deteriorate as well as grow mildew. Vinyl
- Vinyl siding is relatively easy to maintain and requires low maintenance. It is very cost-effective and available in many colors. Some disadvantages to vinyl are that it provides no insulation and may damage and dent easily in storms. Vinyl siding is tough to repair and releases toxins into the atmosphere if burned. Comparison
- In general, wood siding requires more maintenance than vinyl siding. Wood siding needs treatments every five to 10 years, unlike vinyl. Wood provides some level of insulation to a home, while vinyl provides a negligible amount. Vinyl is naturally much less likely to rot or promote mildew growth, but if treated properly, wood can resist rot and mildew growth just as well as vinyl.
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Is wood siding better then vinyl siding?
One is not better than the other for the following reason. Is natural turf better than artificial turf? I'm using this question to frame my answer. An athlete will say natural turf; the owner of the team likes the maintenance of the artificial turf. Same goes with vinyl and wood siding. Although artificial turf and vinyl siding require some maintenance it is considerably less than the natural product, turf and wood. A balance between aesthetic and function needs to be addressed in each application of siding.
Are vinyl siding better then weather board?
Here is my personal opinion, I like the vinyl siding for its color fastness and longevity, but it does not look that great specially the trim. So when we rebuilt our house (Hudson Valley, NY) 15 years ago I specified red vinyl siding with white wood trim and corner board. I still looks great and no weather related problems, but we have had to re paint the wood trim once (3-4 years ago).
What siding deters woodpeckers?
metal or vinyl
What are the options for new siding on my house?
Vinyl siding is a great option to use for your home. It is light weight, easy to clean, and better priced. If you would like to keep your home looking like wood without actually using wood, fiber cement siding would be best to use.
Where can I find samples of vinyl siding materials?
Vinyl siding is a flexible, plastic material shaped to look like painted wood siding. Almost every home that isn't brick, stone or stucco has vinyl or aluminum siding. You rarely see anyone install aluminum siding any more because vinyl keeps its looks longer and needs virtually no maintenance.Unless you prefer (or can afford) brick or stone, your builder is probably suggesting the right choice.If you go into any home improvement store, such as Menards or Lowes, you can ask to be shown vinyl siding and they will be glad to show you and answer your questions. If you're unable to do that, you can go to their websites: menards.com or Lowes.com, and look up 'vinyl siding'. I bet you'll love your home's new look!
The Benefits of Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding can make it much easier to keep your home looking nice for several years. The vinyl is quick and easy to install and can last for decades before it begins to wear out. Most homeowners choose to change their vinyl siding because they want a new look for their home rather than because it has worn out. More Durable than Wood By nature, vinyl is more durable than wood. It is made of a synthetic material that does not absorb water. Wood siding can be damaged by rain and sun exposure in as little as a couple of years. Wood can also become saturated with water and swell so that it adds stress to the nails that attach it to the wall. Over a few years, the swelling and contracting of the wood can cause the siding to become warped or begin to fall off of the house. Vinyl siding does not stretch or contract, so that is never a problem. Easier to Clean Cleaning vinyl siding is incredibly easy. All you need is a high powered stream of steady water to wash away any dust or dirt that has collected on the siding. Since siding does not need to be painted, you do not have to worry about flaking or chipping of old paint. Really stubborn stains can be washed away with some soap and a scrub brush. The durability of vinyl makes it easier to clean because it can withstand even the harshest scrubbing without becoming discolored or scarred. Comes in Different Colors One of the most interesting things about vinyl siding is that you can choose from several different shades. The vinyl is infused with the color you choose, which means that the color is actually part of the material. Unlike painted wood, you will never need to apply new coats of color if the old color fades. Vinyl siding allows you the freedom to be as creative as you like with the appearance of your home. If you combine vinyl shutters with your siding you can create an entire palette of interesting colors and designs. The vinyl will be resistant to fading, so your creativity can be enjoyed for several years without worry.
Is vinyl siding bad for your house?
No its betterthan wood products, and if installed correctly can lower heating and cooling bills,not to mention it's easy to maintain and also looks great..
Is hardiplank a good replacement for vinyl siding?
Hardiplank is partly wood and partly cement but looks more like wood. With a 50 year warranty it can be considered as a good replacement but keep in mind that it is a more expensive solution.
How do you attach a mailbox to vinyl siding?
YOU MIGHT NOT WANT TO TRY THAT. VINYL SIDING HAS NO STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY. THE WEIGHT OF THE MAILBOX ALONG WITH THE DAILY USAGE WILL EITHER DISFIGURE THE SIDING OR BREAK IT. EITHER MAKE SURE YOU HAVE WOOD SHEATHING BEHIND THE SIDING OR STUDS. DRILL HOLES THROUGH THE SIDING SO THE SCREWS DO NOT GRAB THE SIDING BUT GRAB WHAT IS BEHIND IT.
How do you istall vinyl siding?
Firstly you'll need to decide what color and thickness vinyl siding you want. Vinyl siding come in a variety of thicknesses from .044 - .055 inches thick, the thicker the siding you choose the more it will cost. Thicker vinyl siding is generally more durable. Now you'll need to prepare your home for the siding. If you home already has siding on it you'll need to remove it first. Vinyl siding needs to be nailed into solid wood, so while your siding is off make sure that the underlying wood is still feasible enough for the new siding to be nailed onto it. Lay out your siding making sure all the panels line up then measure each piece you'll need and cut it according to your measurement. Make sure that when you decide to hang your vinyl siding that all panels match on all sides of your house. Now that all panels are cut you can start nailing them to your home, start from the bottom and work up ensuring that the rows of vinyl siding overlap each other. Do not secure the siding too tightly as warm and cold temperatures can cause vinyl siding to expand and contract. Use 1 1/4 inch galvanized nails and nail them through the slots in the siding. The siding needs to be able to move back and forth, if siding is attached too firmly it can cause damage to your siding panels in adverse weather conditions. Go to http://www.vinylsidingworld.com/how-to-install-vinyl-siding.htm for more on installing vinyl siding!
Home Siding Options?
Home siding installation can be an inexpensive means of maintaining and beautifying one's home. There are several options for the type of siding an individual can choose, from vinyl siding to more traditional wood siding. One's choice in siding will depend on the individual's budget and needs for the home. Vinyl siding is inexpensive and easily maintained, while wood or clapboard siding is more elegant and can give a home a more traditional look. Families should consider many factors in choosing home siding, including their budget and the look they are hoping to create.
Do you need to take wood siding off a house if your going to vinyl side it?
No, but it will not help with the finished look of your new siding. Your j channel will look gaudy next to the window trim if you dont strip the old siding, but if your going to metal wrap the trim then you can pad the trim up to eat up that space, which I highly recommend. It will help make your new vinyl siding look ten times better, or go with a vinyl trim board or wood padded on the back side to bring your trim about a quarter to a half an inch beyond the j channel face which is what it would look like new.
