If you are considering vinyl siding for your property, this ultimate guide was written just for you!
Choosing the type of exterior materials for your property is a big decision. As a property owner, there are countless types of exterior building materials, making these choices feel even more overwhelming.
Between brick, stone, wood siding, and more, there are many different options. While many of these materials come with a good amount of advantages, there are plenty of disadvantages too.
However, one type of material seems to stand alone, offering many benefits and hardly any drawbacks. Vinyl siding is the Cadillac of siding minus the outrageous price tag that comes with luxurious purchases.
Today, we’re diving into selecting vinyl siding for your home, everything you need to know before you make your decision, what your options are, what to expect with installation, advantages, maintenance, and so much more.
Continue scrolling to learn more about selecting vinyl siding below.
What Is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is a highly durable, cost-effective, and low-maintenance exterior building material made from a super-strong plastic, polyvinyl chloride (also called PVC) resin. This exterior cladding was made to mimic the appearance of other types of siding and materials, such as wood, stone, and more.
Vinyl siding requires significantly less upkeep than many other types of materials and comes in various colors, textures, and styles. This long-lasting cladding is an attractive, versatile, and affordable option for homeowners.
Advantages of Vinyl Siding
There are many reasons why property owners end up choosing vinyl siding for their homes, such as:
Vinyl Siding is Very Low Maintenance — Unlike other types of cladding and exterior materials, vinyl siding does not require much effort, time, or attention to maintain. Property owners can expect to clean their siding once or twice per year, conduct biannual inspections (or more, depending on weather and climate), and stay on top of any necessary repairs. Do that, and your vinyl siding will look great for years to come.
Vinyl Siding is Affordable — Choosing vinyl siding means choosing to save money. Firstly, vinyl siding offers homeowners a highly-affordable upfront cost. It is significantly less expensive than most other types of exterior building materials, like wood, stone, or brick.
Secondly, vinyl siding will help property owners save on energy bills, as this material is hyper-insulating. It is sure to help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Vinyl Siding is Durable — As mentioned, vinyl siding is made from extremely durable plastic and is built to resist constant exposure to harsh elements and excessive moisture. It is rot, rust, and pest-resistant and is virtually indestructible. In most cases, homeowners should expect their siding to last for decades.
Vinyl Siding is Versatile and Boasts a Wide Range of Options — Another exciting feature property owners love about vinyl siding is its incredible versatility. Have specific vinyl siding colors in mind? Want your siding to resemble another material like wood or stone? You got it! There are seemingly countless vinyl siding colors and texture options.
Vinyl siding styles allow homeowners to customize their homes’ appearance. Some popular styles include:
- Clapboard — The traditional siding style features horizontal panels that overlap a bit, creating a timeless look.
- Dutch Lap — Dutch Lap is a horizontal plank siding that has a concave notch near the middle of the panel to add interest and depth to the exterior of your home.
- Board and Batten — This vertical siding alternates wide panels with narrow battens, creating an eye-catching, rustic look.
- Shake — Vinyl shake siding imitates the appearance of standard cedar shakes, giving your home a charming and textured look.
When it comes to vinyl siding colors, the possibilities are essentially endless. Whether you lean towards a neutral color, such as gray, white, or beige, or want a bold shade, like blue or red, you will surely find the perfect hue to suit your home and style.
Vinyl Siding vs. Other Exterior Materials
When selecting the exterior materials for your house, it’s crucial to consider factors like maintenance requirements, cost, durability, and more. Here’s a quick comparison of other popular building materials to vinyl siding:
- Natural Wooden Siding — Wood siding offers homeowners a timeless and classic look; however, it requires a lot of regular maintenance, like staining or painting, to prevent insect and rot damage. It is also expensive.
- Engineered Wood Siding — In contrast to its natural counterpart, engineered wood siding is resistant to water and weather damage, critters, warping, mold, and mildew. Unfortunately, engineered wood siding, also referred to as composite wood siding, is extremely expensive, heavy, and can be irregularly shaped, making repairs pricey, tedious, and ultra-complex.
- Stucco Siding — Stucco is versatile, durable, and low maintenance until it cracks, which can be prone to cracking. While it is budget-friendly, it is not suitable for all climates.
- Fiber Cement Siding — Fiber cement siding is durable and resistant to rot, insects, fire, and more. Generally speaking, it is more expensive and requires more maintenance than vinyl siding.
- Metal Siding — Metal siding can look contemporary and stylish. And, as long as it’s in good shape, it is low maintenance. However, the instant it is damaged, left unpainted, unsealed, or scratched, it is susceptible to corrosion and rust.
- Stone Cladding — Stone cladding is a classic and natural-looking option. Stone exteriors are expensive, so they better be timeless and unrivaled in their beauty because homeowners aren’t likely to want to (or have the budget to) change it down the road.
Moreover, the installation process for stone cladding is both time-consuming and labor-intensive for professionals. In addition to the required structural sublate, it also needs a protective sealant applied periodically.
Vinyl Siding Installation
Vinyl siding is very easy to install, especially when compared to the installation process of other types of exterior materials. Because this siding is lightweight and comes with pre-drilled holes, the process is quick and easy for your vinyl siding installation professionals.
Some homeowners opt for a DIY vinyl siding installation project; however, it’s generally recommended that a professional handle the installation to ensure a secure and proper fit. Hiring an expert can also help prevent future problems like buckling, moisture infiltration, and warping.
Vinyl Siding: Maintenance and Cleaning
As mentioned, one of the biggest benefits of choosing vinyl siding is how little maintenance it requires. However, it’s important that homeowners do not take that to mean that it requires zero care and attention. Here are some tips for keeping your siding looking and functioning at its best:
- Clean your siding at least twice annually and more whenever necessary. Always use a soft-bristled brush (never a touch-bristled one; it can cause scratches, leaving your property looking worse than when you began) and garden hose to remove dirt, mildew, and grime.
Here are more tips for the cleaning process:
- Use a soft brush on an extension pole to wash small areas at a time.
- Avoid directly spraying windows and doors.
- Opt for a mild soap and warm water to clean your siding since harsh chemicals can be damaging.
- Gently scrub in side-to-side or circular motions.
- Use a ladder whenever necessary, starting at the top of your property and working your way down.
- Scrub and double-clean tough spots and areas.
- Rinse with your hose before the siding has time to dry. Do not try cleaning your siding when temperatures are too high. The cleaning solution will likely dry too quickly if it’s too hot, making it difficult to rinse off and clean effectively.
- If your vinyl siding is particularly dirty, spray it with warm water twice or thrice before scrubbing or using your cleaning products. Removing as much dirt and debris as possible during the pre-rinsing stage will get you a cleaner finished product.
- Inspect your siding for damage at least twice yearly. It’s best to do your inspection before you clean your siding and after each major storm.
Whether your siding has become damaged from owner error, weather, or normal wear and tear, it’s important to fix any damage right away. Postponing repairs gives small problems enough time to become massive issues. The longer you wait generally means you’ll end up paying more.
- Thankfully, the inspection process is pretty straightforward. Here’s what you need to know about regular inspections:
- Check out the overall appearance of your vinyl siding. Is it discolored due to constant exposure to extreme elements or dirt buildup?
- Keep your eye out for broken, warped, or loose panels. Panels must be replaced in a timely manner so they can protect your property from water or pest damage.
- Pay special attention during your inspection to the lower part of your house since this area is especially susceptible to damage.
- Trimming back foliage is an important part of caring for your siding. By keeping trees, shrubs, and other plantings trimmed away from your siding, you’re sure to prevent moisture buildup and potential damage.
- Make sure to read the details outlined in your siding’s warranty. Some approaches can void your warranty, such as using a power washer or painting your siding.
- Before cleaning, you may want to conduct a small test area to see how your vinyl holds up. This could be behind your air conditioning unit or behind a bush.
- Feel free to store your cooled-down grill or barbecue next to your siding-wrapped property. However, if it is in use or is still hot to the touch from previous use, always give it a three- to four-foot buffer from your house. Extreme temperatures can warp, melt, or otherwise damage your vinyl.
- If you ever have questions, something ever feels out of your realm, or you simply would rather have someone else tackle the task, always reach out to a knowledgeable and trusted professional.
Interested in Vinyl Siding? Mountain State Windows & Siding Can Help!
If you want to add vinyl siding to your property, the experienced professionals at Mountain State Windows & Siding are here to help you!
Whether you want to upgrade or update your current house or are building a new home and are selecting its original exterior materials, vinyl siding is a great option for any property.
Old siding and other types of exterior building materials are less efficient, not nearly as effective, outdated, and cost a lot more money. If you are ready to improve and upgrade the look and functionality of your property, our trusted team can help.
We have worked tirelessly for our extraordinary reputation and are proud to be known as a hassle-free, professional, and trustworthy home improvement company in Northern Utah.
We strive to give our clients more than just quality siding and windows; we are also dedicated to giving them the highest customer service available. Anyone who has worked with the team at Mountain States can attest that we stand behind our products and work.
When it comes to remodels and renovations, from windows and vinyl siding installation to kitchen or bathroom renovations (we do that, too!), property owners want a professional, highly qualified company to get the job done. We are proud to be that kind of company.
We promise our clients open and honest communication alongside professional service. We will always be upfront about each process and all accompanying costs along the way. We also understand the importance of the budget, so we are dedicated to staying within yours.
At Mountain States Windows & Siding, we provide quality products and materials that are sure to improve the value, function, and look of your home or business.
When you choose Mountain States, you can rest assured you will receive friendly, premium, and honest service with a smile. We serve businesses, residents, and other types of properties all along the Wasatch Front, including Salt Lake City, Payson, Lehi, Park City, West Jordan, and neighboring cities.
Contact the trusted team at Mountain States Window & Siding to learn more today!
