Home siding is part of the larger industry in the United States for roofing, siding, and insulation. Together, these essential products make up a market that is worth more than $54 billion every single year just in the United States! On top of that, this industry employs more than 55,000 people at a given time.
Most people are not experts in choosing new siding for their homes. Unfortunately, that lack of expertise sometimes leads to making the wrong decision. When it comes to home siding, the mistakes you make are generally permanent.
It is technically possible to fix the wrong choice in new siding, but it is much more affordable to avoid making the wrong choice in the first place. Read on to learn all about the most important things to understand about getting new siding for your home!
Start With Some Basic Measurements
When you are getting new siding, you’re probably going to have to talk with siding experts at some point. When that happens, it is important that you have your basic information ready at hand.
For one thing, you need to know what size your siding is going to need to be. That means getting measurements for the length of your exterior walls. You will also need to measure their height so that you can calculate the square footage of siding that you will need.
Consider What Makes for the Right Material
There are a few choices you have to make about your siding. These include things like color and texture. The most important thing to consider is which material you will use.
However, what are the metrics by which you can assess which material is the right choice for your home?
One of the most important things to consider is how easy a certain material is to install. This is especially important if you intend to be part of the installation process yourself. If you are working with experts, then you can probably pick whichever kind of siding you think will work best for your home.
You’ll also need to track how water-resistant your siding should be. Depending on the layout of your home and the climate in your area, you might want to emphasize water resistance.
Regardless of water resistance, it is always better to have energy-efficient siding. If you have a home that does not maintain your desired temperature perfectly, you don’t want to make the problem worse by getting siding with pour insulation.
Sometimes, choosing the most energy-efficient siding means having to trade off other preferences. However, energy efficiency should be one of your top considerations.
Energy-efficient siding will save you money in the long run. It will decrease your energy bills and decrease the strain on your HVAC system.
You will also have to consider how durable you want your siding to be. If you are prepared to get new siding again on the sooner end, then you can choose whatever you want. But if you want your siding to really last, you will have to limit your options to more durable options.
Understand Your Different Options for Siding
Once you know what metrics are important for you, you can start to consider your siding options.
One of the most common siding options is vinyl. It is affordable and durable. It is also quite popular, which means that it will not stand out or call attention to itself.
Vinyl is also a good choice if you want to install your siding yourself. No siding installation job is perfectly simple. But vinyl is relatively easy compared to your other choices.
Many people prefer wood siding. It provides a certain aesthetic feel that nothing else quite matches. Of course, it is not as durable as many other kinds of siding.
Some people decide that metal siding is the right choice for them. Metal siding can be extremely affordable. Unfortunately, the money you save on installation may sometimes come out in your energy bills.
Metal siding generally does not provide the best insulation. However, some climates allow people to get away without excellent insulation.
For some people, stone is the best siding option. It is a beautiful and natural material. On top of that, it lasts almost forever.
Of course, stone is also one of the more expensive options for siding. That is especially true if you use stone options like high-quality granite.
Brick siding can be a great choice for many people. It can be quite expensive, but it is very durable.
Consider How Your Siding Will Go With the Other Aspects of Your Home
Remember not to judge your siding options in isolation. This is not about how good a certain type of siding looks in a vacuum. Rather, it is about how good a siding option looks on your house, in the context of your landscape, and surrounded by your neighborhood.
Unless you are going to change your roof, too, you will want to match your siding to your roof. Complimentary textures can be a great choice, but make sure you don’t pick something that clashes.
The same principle applies to color. Pick something that does not clash with your roof, your landscaping, or your driveway.
The more that you know about siding for your home and how to use it to upgrade your house, the more you might be interested in home siding experts. When it comes to home improvement, having quality contractors like SK Exteriors to help you upgrade your home can make all the difference. They can help you select and install the right home siding for your situation!
Understand the Most Important Things to Know About New Siding
We hope learning about new siding has been helpful for you. Many people do not appreciate how important the decisions they make about their siding are. But choosing the right siding will affect the aesthetic and functional quality of your house for many years to come.
Understanding a little bit more about siding will help you make the right choice for your unique situation. To learn more about the latest information in home care, lifestyle, and more, take a look through our other articles!
