How to Get Alternatives to Aluminum Siding
After seeing how effectively paint bonded to aluminum airplane fuselages, Jerome Kaufman invented a way to bake enamel onto aluminum siding. He founded a home improvement empire and became one of the biggest users of sheet aluminum in the world. Today, there are alternatives to siding. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Stick with your home's original wood. Yes, it requires painting and maintenance every few years and it can rot, weather and turn up on a menu for termites. Still, wood is historically accurate and looks good. Cedar shingles are a wonderful option for a wooded lot and are usually stained to match the earth and protect the wood. Compared to paint, stained wood peels less.
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Consider vinyl, which won't rot or flake and never needs painting. It only requires annual washing which can be done with car detergent and an RV brush. If you get tired of the color, you can paint it, but you'll have to repeat the painting to maintain the shade you like. By itself, vinyl doesn't insulate well. It can also trap moisture within the walls, promoting decay and mold. Vinyl is made from polyvinyl chloride. Although it's thought to be safe on homes, if your house ever burns, the burning plastic can release toxic fumes. Disposing and manufacturing it is not particularly good for the environment. For an older home, vinyl can diminish the home's aesthetic appeal.
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Study the benefits of fiber cement siding. It looks like wood, but it's termite proof and fire retardant. Some fiber cement products carry a warranty of up to 50 years. It's made from a blend of cellulose fiber, cement and sand that's been cured in an industrial pressure cooker to add strength, and it doesn't rot. Fiber cement siding is more expensive than vinyl, but costs less than wood or stucco. Buy fiber cement siding with a top coat applied in the factory. You'll have to paint it every 5 years.
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Tour many historic sites, and you'll see that stone or stucco make durable exteriors. These materials are weather resistant. Stone provides an additional layer of insulation and doesn't take as much maintenance as wood. However, these materials can be expensive.
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Think about brick and learn the difference between solid brick and brick veneer. The first uses the masonry to support the roof and the walls. It can be up to 12-inches thick and is extremely durable. Brick facing is a single layer of brick applied as a weather barrier to a home. It is still heavy, however, and needs a footing around your foundation to support it. An advantage: Brick facing will last for many years without requiring any maintenance. Building codes limit the use of brick in earthquake zones.
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