Aluminum Siding Alternatives
Installing new siding onto a home's exterior immediately enhances its beauty and curb appeal. It also adds to the property's value. The choices for homeowners have gone beyond the aluminum siding that gained popularity decades ago. Some of the options available to homeowners include brick, fiber cement, vinyl and tongue and groove siding. The materials compose a variety of possible looks and have different maintenance requirements. Does this Spark an idea?
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Brick Siding
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Brick siding, as its name implies, looks like real bricks; in fact, many makers of this product use natural bricks as part of the process. Property owners can choose from a variety of textures, sizes and colors. The rustic appearance, durability and minimal maintenance requirements make it very appealing to homeowners. The product comes in tiles or panels. Many do-it-yourself homeowners can install the materials themselves.
Fiber Cement Siding
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Fiber cement siding offers a permanent product with a versatile appearance, resembling either cedar shingles, wood shakes or wood lapboards. The siding comes in a wide range of color options. Most manufacturers offer up to a 15-year warranty on the finish and a 50-year warranty for longevity. The product, which consists of 90 percent sand and cement, has a high resistance to fire, rot and insects. It also has the durability to withstand the most extreme weather conditions. Fiber cement siding requires significant planning in terms of installation, so installing it should be left up to a professional. Depending on where you live, the labor cost may run about 40 percent higher than the more common vinyl siding. It weighs about 300 pounds per 100 square feet compared to 60 to 70 pounds per 100 square feet for vinyl siding.
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Vinyl Siding
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As one of the most common materials used for exterior walls, vinyl siding represents the choice for many do-it-yourself installations because it is easy to work with. The product comes in a range of light to medium colors. Style options include double-course imitation wood siding in 4- or 5-inch wide exposure, which is the most popular choice, as well as Dutch lap wood siding and three-course 3-inch siding. Vinyl siding costs depend on the gauge or thickness. Thick vinyl tile siding has more durability and stability. Most products available in major home improvement stores have a thickness of .040- to .045-inch. Higher quality vinyl siding has up to a .055-inch thickness.
Tongue and Groove Siding
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The versatility of Western Red Cedar tongue and groove siding makes it a popular choice for the exterior walls of many homes. This material has smooth and rough surfaces. Installers can place the panels vertically, horizontally or diagonally. The availability of flush, V-shaped radius and reveal joints allows for a variety of shadow line effects to enhance the appearance. Purchase knotty grades of panels for a more casual appearance. Smooth face tongue and groove siding offers a more stylish and graceful look. The siding requires a primer and stain finish. Periodic refinishing helps retain the beauty of the wood.
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References
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