Vinyl Siding is exterior plastic siding designed for homes and small residential apartment buildings, used primarily for weatherproofing and decoration, mimicking natural wood, brick, and stucco, and utilized instead of other synthetic materials like fiber cement or aluminum siding. Vinyl siding comes in two basic styles; prefabricated shakes and stucco and pre-manufactured panels. Shakes and stucco are manufactured on-site from a mold, while pre-manufactured panels are pre-cut to fit the precise length and dimensions of the home. Vinyl Siding is considered very durable and can withstand years of constant exposure to the elements. Vinyl Siding resists rotting, cracking, chipping, peeling, and warping and can often be seen on homes built in areas with extreme weather conditions. It provides additional insulation and can also act as a sound barrier.
Vinyl Siding is available in many different colors, styles, patterns, and textures and can be custom painted or stained for low maintenance, low-cost finish. In addition, vinyl siding comes in a variety of styles, like classic, conventional, Spanish, country, decorative, modern, residential, and overlay, as well as many others. Furthermore, vinyl siding has been found to have low maintenance and high resistance to fire, making it an attractive and long-term solution. Vinyl Siding can be easily installed on either wood or concrete floors.
Vinyl Siding, though not a very popular exterior cladding option today, was once all the rage. It was all the rage back in the 1970s when it was first introduced and many homeowners adored this product. With the passage of time and consumer demands, however, vinyl siding quickly lost favor as more homeowners realized the inherent disadvantages. Vinyl Siding can be easily installed on wood floors. However, the presence of grease, moisture, and insect eggs can eventually mar the look of the wood.
Vinyl Siding comes in a large number of different colors such as; light blue, dark blue, charcoal, burgundy, earthy brown, gold, honey, light green, olive, white, yellow, purple, red, and green. Some panels contain additional trim colors in patterns such as; black, gray, and tan. Additionally, vinyl siding and horizontal siding can come in a multitude of different sizes and widths. Therefore, no matter what the style of home, homeowners can choose from the wide array of colors and designs to enhance the curb appeal.
Although vinyl siding comes with a lower initial cost when compared to other siding materials, it requires far less maintenance over its lifetime. Also, because vinyl is extremely durable and requires little or no repair, it is a green friendly choice for homeowners. Vinyl siding does require a higher maintenance schedule than wood, but this low maintenance level allows homeowners to save money on their energy bills and home owner’s insurance. Since vinyl siding sustains little damage from being exposed to the elements, it makes an environmentally friendly addition to any home.
In terms of design, vinyl siding and horizontal cladding provide several options. For example, since PVC is a plastic, the design possibilities are virtually endless. The only limitation when it comes to polyvinyl chloride is that you cannot use wood to cover over vinyl. The result is that you must employ another type of exterior coating such as asphalt to complete the look of your home.
Homeowners who wish to install the product themselves will find it to be easy. The process is relatively simple, although care should be taken to ensure the surface is adequately covered. It is also possible to hire professionals to install the product, which would significantly reduce the homeowner’s installation costs. However, for those who do not have the necessary skill or expertise in the art of DIY, the cost of hiring a professional contractor will prove to be well worth it.
When selecting the right vinyl siding panel, homeowners should focus on finding the best quality they can afford. If the cost is less than buying comparable wood products, then it is advisable to purchase the same. Higher quality material will offer homeowners greater protection against the elements. It is important to ensure the siding panel and sash are installed properly. If the installation is not done properly, water could seep under the sash and damage the house.