Before choosing a siding material for your home’s exterior, understanding the options available to you will help you make the best decision. Vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices because it’s affordable, durable, and aesthetically pleasing — but it does require some cleaning and maintenance, and it’s not always the most durable option against the sun.
If you’re trying to decide whether vinyl siding is right for your home, this blog will cover everything you need to know about all the pros and cons of vinyl siding, but first, we’ll start with a quick overview of what vinyl siding is:
What is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl is a thin product made from PVC, and it’s designed to have the appearance of a natural material like wood. It’s installed by nailing vinyl siding strips to your home, which allows the material to expand and contract without cracking as the weather changes. Vinyl siding is one of the most popular siding options because of its affordability and durability.
Pros of Vinyl Siding
With an emphasis on maintenance, durability, and cost, let’s explore the pros of vinyl siding.
Durability
Vinyl siding is known for being a very durable option, especially when compared to more expensive alternatives like wood siding. Since vinyl siding is made from PVC, insects and pests are not naturally drawn to them. This durable material typically lasts well beyond the average 25-year warranty as long as it’s taken care of with yearly routine maintenance.
Another pro of vinyl siding is that it can easily be maintained with a simple power-washing once every year. Additional maintenance would also include watching out for any damaged or loose side panels and fixing them promptly. Addressing and maintaining these problems quickly can help prevent any further issues down the line.
Cost-Effective
Compared to other siding options like real wood or fiber cement, vinyl siding is the most cost-effective option. Most vinyl siding also comes with a 25-year (or longer!) warranty, meaning you know your investment is protected. Since vinyl is so durable, homeowners can typically expect their siding to last even longer than that. To start discussing your vinyl siding options, request a quote from our experts at Zeeland Lumber & Supply today.
A Variety of Color Options
Since vinyl siding has been on the market for such a long time, its construction has been nearly perfected. This means manufacturers have had plenty of time to develop color-fade technology, as well as wood grain patterns that look as close to the real thing as you can get with vinyl. Vinyl siding contains color all the way through the PVC material, meaning it doesn’t ever need to be painted or repainted. Homeowners can easily choose the perfect color that creates the desired mood, effect, and appearance they’re looking for.
Cons of Vinyl Siding
When discussing the pros and cons of vinyl siding, it’s important to take a look at the potential downsides of choosing this material. While vinyl siding is cost-effective, low-maintenance, and doesn’t require painting, there are a few drawbacks to using it, as with any home improvement product. Understanding the potential downside of vinyl can help you make an informed decision.
Installation Can Be Tricky
Some handy homeowners might consider installing their new vinyl siding themselves, but this cost-saving option might end up costing more in the long run if installed improperly. While installing vinyl siding might appear relatively simple compared to other siding options, even minor mistakes can contribute to moisture issues, poor insulation, warping, and more. Even driving nails too hard or too lightly can diminish the function of vinyl siding.
Whether hiring a contractor or installing it themselves, homeowners will want to do their research before committing to either option.
Prone to Sun Damage
Vinyl siding, especially darker vinyl siding, can be more prone to fading in the sun compared to other materials. If you’re considering a darker shade for your vinyl siding, keep in mind that the fading is more noticeable on darker colors compared to lighter tan and white shades. While this might deter some homeowners from choosing this material, it’s best to know either way before you make your decision.
Doesn’t Always Raise Your Home’s Value
The decision to incorporate vinyl siding on the exterior of your home should be made intentionally. If you’re simply replacing old or damaged vinyl siding on your home, the value of your home would actually potentially increase. However, if you’re replacing wood siding on a historic home with vinyl siding, this could potentially decrease the value of the home.
Zeeland Lumber & Supply: Your Trusted Vinyl Siding Supplier
Whether you’ve decided for or against vinyl siding, Zeeland Lumber & Supply has a siding option for you! Our vinyl siding selection includes top name brands such as Westlake Royal Building Products’ Exterior Portfolio and CertainTeed’s Mainstreet™ siding. However, we carry a wide variety of siding and exterior trim selections to suit any taste or investment level. Give us a call or contact us online to learn more.