Cedar shakes are selected by main upscale homebuilders for siding because of their inherent beauty. Regular maintenance, however, is required to keep the product's high-end look. Cedar shake siding, although durable and rich, should be restained or repainting every year or two once color has been applied. Because cedar shows weathering more quickly than other types of wood, it should be pressure washed on a low setting annually to remove dirt, insects, mildew and similar problems. Unpainted or unstained cedar can be allowed to age naturally without special chemical processing.
Masonite siding is affordable, making it a popular choice for tract housing. It can also fall victim to moisture if not inspected and maintained on a regular basis. The siding should be checking thoroughly every spring or fall. Any cracks or gaps in the painted surface should be sanded, patched and repainted to keep it in top condition. Use a paintable caulk to take care of any gaps, cracks or other exposed areas in the masonite siding. Regular maintenance can help extend the life span beyond the average of eight to ten years.
Home ownership can provide a rewarding sense of fulfillment, but also requires financial responsibility. Home maintenance costs can reach thousands of dollars every year, and unforeseen problems can cost even more. One excellent way to save on home maintenance costs is with aluminum siding. Traditional wood siding requires repainting every few years, pest control treatments, and mildew and fungal treatments. Using advanced polymers and alloys, aluminum siding provides a beautiful and durable alternative to traditional siding. Aluminum siding never needs to be painted, resists pest damage such as termites, and can be treated to prevent mildew. Aluminum siding is also easy to clean, using regular soap and water.
You can buy colored vinyl siding usually at the same place where you get the regular normal siding. Or Lowes and Home Depot where they also sell siding.
The best type of siding actual depends on climate. There are various types one of the types you may consider is vinyl siding. Be forewarned, vinyl siding isn't the most popular. No maintenance siding however, is good for resale value.
The best way to protect wood siding is through maintenance. This means you need to prime, paint, and seal each year to prolong the life of your siding.
A great cost saving advantage of cement siding is that it is very low maintenance. Unlike wood or vinyl siding, cement siding is very durable and stands up well to changes in temperature and humidity.
Depending on your preference, either type of siding works well. Aluminum siding is less costly, but will dent easily and needs painted every few years. Vinyl siding may cost more and can crack in extreme temperatures, but it is extremely low maintenance compared to aluminum siding.
Concrete siding needs very little maintenance and has great durability in damp conditions. The insulating factor is good with the concrete siding as concrete keeps areas cooler in summer and warmer in colder weather months.
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.
Generally a lighter color is better because it absorbs less heat so you home will stay cooler. Hardy Plank is low to no maintenance siding.
One thing you should know is that at this point there is not one paint company that guarantees their paint staying on vinyl siding. Generally if the vinyl siding is looking dingy you can get a power washer and clean them off to look basically new again. If you would like to learn the best way to paint on vinyl siding I would check out http://www.vinylsidingoptions.com/vinyl-siding-maintenance/painting-vinyl-siding/
Clapboard siding can be very aesthetically pleasing, however, this is only true when it is properly maintained. Once every several years the siding will need to be stained or painted in order to offset or eliminate the ravages of exposure to the elements. This can be a costly and labor-intensive process when performed as a do-it-yourself project, often making it a task that is best left to professionals. By screening different exterior painting companies online, homeowners can find the most cost-effective options for regular clapboard siding maintenance. Once a well-reviewed company that has competitive prices has been found, homeowners can attempt to negotiate lower rates by locking into long-term routine maintenance agreements.