Siding not only contributes to your home’s aesthetics, but also to its structural stability and energy conservation abilities . Therefore, it’s imperative that you choose the right siding material if you want to maximize the beauty and functionality of your home.
Fortunately, choosing the right material and design doesn’t need to be too difficult a task, since you can limit your choices based on your personal preferences and the material’s suitability to the environment where you live. In this post, I share with you a guide that can hopefully help you make the perfect choice.
STEP 1: Choose siding based on your climate
The first step in choosing a siding material is to decide on the type of material you’ll need. In this stage, you need to carefully consider your local climate, as the performance and longevity of your siding will depend highly on it.
Among the most common siding materials are wood, vinyl, and composite. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses, but for now, let’s focus on their ability to withstand wear and tear that’s brought on by the climate in your area.
Wood siding looks great but can be easily affected by moisture. Preventing wood from wearing out too fast takes a bit of work; more than would have been necessary had you chosen a different material – and this equates to additional maintenance costs. If your home is in an area that frequently experiences rain, then wood siding may not be the right option for you, unless you’re willing to spend a lot of time on regular maintenance.
On the other hand, vinyl siding is moisture-resistant, making it the perfect choice for locations where wood siding may not be ideal. However, in areas with a hot climate, vinyl siding may not perform quite as well, as it can be susceptible to heat. The material can contract and warp when exposed to extreme temperatures.
Composite siding offers the best of both worlds. Easy to maintain, just like vinyl siding, composites are capable of taking on the appearance of wood siding and other materials. While composites are more expensive than vinyl siding, initial costs can easily be recouped via savings in maintenance and lifetime costs.
STEP 2: Decide between vertical or horizontal siding
The next step is to choose whether you want vertical or horizontal siding. Generally, your choice will be determined by the predominant design of your home and how you would like the exterior cladding to appear.
For example, if your home lacks height and you want it to appear taller than it really is, then vertical siding would be your best option. Horizontal siding, on the other hand, can make your home appear wider.
Step 3: Pick a color
Last but not the least, you’ll need to pick out a color. While this step may seem simple enough, it involves more than just going for your favorite color. In fact, your preference may not even be the best color for the home.
First, focus on the color combination of the home itself. A good tip would be to base your decision on the color of the roof. If you have a dark-colored roof, then a lighter colored siding might work best. Your choices aren’t as limited with neutral-colored roofs, as dark- or light-colored siding will both work fine.
When choosing a color, do bear in mind that it should not only complement the color combination of the home, but also of the immediate area surrounding it. For example, if your home has a great landscape – lots of trees or shrubs – then you’ll need to consider that as well when choosing the color for your siding.
The Most Important Step: Find the Right Contractor
We all have our preferences when it comes to choosing materials and colors for our home. Unfortunately, sometimes our preferences aren’t always the best choice, so it’s best to enlist the services of experts in the field who can give you professional advice and recommendations.
When choosing a siding contractor, you need to first make sure that they are licensed to operate in your area. Unlicensed contractors may offer cheaper rates, but they most likely won’t have any type of insurance. If something goes wrong during installation, there’s a good chance that you could be held personally accountable.
You’ll also need to check for certifications that will prove the contractor’s competency. In addition to certifications, customer reviews or recommendations will also go a long way in proving that the contractor is indeed reliable.
Making the right choice in siding material will not only make you feel more comfortable with your home, but can also increase its value. However, unless you’re a home builder or designer, you might find the task a bit overwhelming. If you do, don’t hesitate to seek the help of a professional. Professional services would certainly be cheaper than the cost you might incur were you to make the wrong choice.
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Author Bio:
Scott Barr has been with Southwest Exteriors since 1990 and currently serves as the company’s “steward,” continuously working to build a team of leaders who are constantly excited and committed about their work. As the head of Southwest Exteriors, he loves hearing from clients that have become raving fans of our company because of their commitment to client satisfaction before, during, and after their projects. In his free time, Scott enjoys spending time with his wife, Sherolene, and their sons, Sammy and Sawyer. His desire is to develop the the business as a ministry that glorifies God, and he wants to continue to support other ministries by building a successful enterprise.
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