Replacing the worn-out or damaged siding on your home with fresh new siding can greatly boost curb appeal while also better protecting your home’s structure. With so many siding material options available on the market, deciding on the optimal new siding type and product prior to siding installation in Lafayette, IN, involves carefully weighing several important factors ranging from aesthetics to durability and warranties.
Evaluate Visual Styling and Appeal
Take time to evaluate the available color, texture, pattern, and style options among different sidings to find the one that will beautifully complement your home’s specific architecture and design. Are you looking to match the existing siding or change the style entirely? Do you prefer ultra-realistic wood lookalikes like engineered cedar or sleek, neutral solid vinyl siding? Maximize visual curb appeal along with protective performance.
Assess Durability and Longevity Factors
Consider each prospective siding type’s estimated lifespan and durability factors. For example, true brick masonry and stucco easily last over 50 years before replacement is needed. More attention should be paid to the underlying materials used in manufacturing – do they resist rot, cracking, and impact damage from hail or other local weather elements over decades of weathering?
Evaluate Wind and Impact Resistance
If you live in regions prone to major storms, hurricane-force winds, hail storms, and flying debris, selecting impact-rated siding becomes even more important for reinforcing your home’s structure and minimizing damage. Options like impact-resistant vinyl, hurricane-proof steel panels, and reinforced masonry provide critical fortification against intense winds, large hail, falling debris, and other dangerous projectiles during extreme weather events.
Research Fire Resistance Ratings
Take time to look into the various siding materials’ fire safety testing results and certifications. Noncombustible products like fiber cement, stucco, and brick score very well in this regard. While house fires are a rare occurrence, the risks posed by some more flammable plastic and highly synthetic siding types must be considered when under extreme heat.
Determine Energy Efficiency Properties
Well-insulated siding options can reduce your home’s heating and cooling costs substantially. Carefully evaluate the thermal resistance “R-value” ratings to determine potential utility bill savings your specific climate needs. Energy efficient siding equals energy bill savings.
Compare Ongoing Maintenance Requirements
Lower maintenance siding options like vinyl and insulated composite panels won’t rot, warp, or need frequent scraping, sanding, and repainting. On the other hand, real cedar planks or stucco siding require substantially more regular cleaning, sealing, inspection, and touch-ups to look its best and prevent long-term deterioration.
Assess Moisture and Water Resistance Factors
Prevent premature siding damage by selecting products touting superior water resistance properties through the use of high-quality protective finishes and robust sealing around nail heads. When properly installed, most quality siding types can withstand normal wet weather exposure, assuming proper attic ventilation exists.
Calculate Pricing for Both Materials and Skilled Installation
Be sure to get quoted total installed costs per square footage from reputable siding companies to compare overall budgets between options. While basic vinyl siding tends to run lower, premium wood or high-end masonry siding can cost exponentially more when both material and professional installation are added up.
Review Warranty Coverage on Materials
Look into warranty terms like 50-year transferable warranties on fiber cement products, lifetime limited warranties on engineered wood, and prorated coverage lengths from manufacturers. Lengthier material warranties provide peace of mind on expensive investments expected to last decades.
By carefully weighing and analyzing factors like aesthetics, durability, weather resistance, insulation value, warranty length, maintenance needs, and install costs, you can select wonderful new siding tailor-made to protect and enhance your home for many years to come. If you need new siding installed, let us help. Call us to discuss your needs and find out what products we recommend for your home.
