Vinyl Siding: Is It Right For Your Home? Find Out Here!

Everyone knows that what’s on the inside makes a house a home. However, the outside does matter too!

After all, you want your house to be as beautiful and resilient as possible – even if you’re on a budget. That’s where vinyl siding comes in.

You may have some questions that need to be answered before you commit to covering your house in this material.

Read on for all you need to know, including the benefits, range of styles available, and the best type for your environment.

What Are The Benefits Of Vinyl Siding?

There are many great reasons to choose and use vinyl siding.

For a start, it’s low maintenance.

You won’t have to commit to a grueling upkeep schedule to maintain this material. Once it’s installed, it requires minimum effort to keep it looking brand new.

You may be wondering what “minimum effort” means. In this case, all you have to do is clean it once a year. This is a really easy process, so you won’t have to hire a professional.

In this way, vinyl siding is also a money saver!

Another advantage is that vinyl siding is very durable. It’s made to last, and it’s resistant enough to withstand issues like rot or termites. Even heavy wind and hail can be handled by vinyl siding.

You won’t have to worry about how vinyl siding responds to moisture. It’s highly unlikely to warp or rust.

In fact, you might find that your vinyl siding comes with a lifetime warranty! That’s how confident sellers are in its durability.

Since it requires less maintenance and lasts a long time, vinyl siding is a very cost-effective option. Installation is cheaper than wood or bricks, too!

It may also save you money on your utility bills. Insulated vinyl siding keeps your home cozy using thermal bridging to prevent heat loss.

Depending on where you live, your home may even be eligible for energy credits if it has insulated vinyl siding. Some governments have incentives for installing this eco-friendly material.

Finally, vinyl siding has an aesthetic advantage: it can look however you want it to look.

There are so many styles available in this versatile material that there’s bound to be one that suits your specific tastes.

A more appealing exterior gives your house major curb appeal. This is especially helpful if you’re planning to sell in the future.
Vinyl siding can give an amazing first impression to visitors and prospective house-buyers alike!

Does Vinyl Siding Look Cheap?

With all these advantages, you may be wondering why anyone chooses other than vinyl siding when it comes to the exterior of their home.

The main reason is that some people believe wood siding looks more elegant. There is a persisting myth that vinyl siding looks cheap.

How can a fair comparison be made between the real thing (wood siding) with vinyl siding designed to look like wood? It can’t, really.

However, given the range of vinyl siding now available on the market, there’s no need for you to choose one that looks cheap.

People who continue to claim that vinyl siding looks cheap probably aren’t aware of the wide range of vinyl siding available.

They may have traditional tastes and simply prefer older materials; after all, vinyl siding only came along in the 1950s.

When it first hit the market, it certainly wasn’t the product that it is today! Now, it’s not only affordable, but it can also be very aesthetically pleasing.

Do They Make Black Vinyl Siding?

Are you looking for a true black to cover your house in? Unfortunately, vinyl siding probably isn’t the best choice for you.

You’ll find a range of dark shades available in this material; however, you won’t find that true, deep black you’re looking for.

So why don’t they make black vinyl siding when this color is so popular? Basically, it would attract too much heat.

That level of heat could end up causing damage to the vinyl itself, so it wouldn’t be a good idea!

After all, people usually choose vinyl because of its amazing durability.

Even if you’re offered the option of making a custom vinyl in black, we’d generally advise against it!

If you’re committed to a black house, don’t worry. There are other options available. Try wood or stone, for example.

Yes, they’ll probably be much more expensive than vinyl, but they’re also much better suited to this particular color palette.

Do They Make Vinyl Siding That Looks Like Wood?

So, you want the classic look of wood, but you don’t want to spend a fortune or commit to a lifetime of maintenance. Yes, it’s possible to enjoy the best of both worlds!

The answer you’re looking for is simple: vinyl siding that looks like wood.

These days, you can get vinyl siding in a wide range of styles. One popular option is vinyl siding that looks like wood. You’ll be amazed by how realistic this can look!

This type of vinyl siding is often, especially in demand amongst those who own traditional-style homes.

Why? Because they want to keep the historical aesthetic of the house, but they don’t want to be stuck maintaining that tricky material.

They also want to enjoy the many advantages of modern vinyl siding. For example, its high levels of energy efficiency.

Wood might look cozy on the outside, but insulated vinyl siding will really keep your home warm!

Best Vinyl Siding For Cold Climates:

We know that vinyl is durable and that it’s energy-efficient. Does that make it the best option for cold climates?

Unfortunately, no.

Although vinyl siding is very resistant, it’s also sensitive to temperature. In most conditions, it will be fine; however, if you live in an extremely cold climate, you should think twice before investing in this material.

Anything below freezing could cause your vinyl siding to become brittle. This means you definitely shouldn’t install it in the cold: once the weather warms up again, your vinyl siding will expand!

If you really want to use vinyl siding in a cold climate, opt for higher-quality stuff. The thicker, the better.

Its packaging will undoubtedly explain how weather-resistant it actually is. Look for a long warranty for an extra layer of reassurance.

Best vinyl siding for direct sunlight

Indirect sunlight, you should also be careful. Unfortunately, in very hot climates, vinyl siding has been known to melt.

This isn’t just an aesthetic issue: it can even cause structural damage to your home! That means it should be taken very seriously.

Direct or even reflected sunlight can cause this issue. It’s much more likely to occur with older forms of vinyl siding, though. Over the years, this material has been greatly improved.

If you invest in new, high-quality vinyl siding, melting shouldn’t be an issue. Look for vinyl siding that is resistant to temperatures above 250 degrees F, though.

There will undoubtedly be cheaper alternatives available on the market, but if you pay less now, you risk warping and melting later.

For people who live in hot climates, it’s worth investing in the highest quality of vinyl siding to protect your home.

Why Does My Vinyl Siding Make Noise?

Have you noticed popping or cracking sounds coming from your vinyl siding? That’s not good news. This is a sign of poor installation. It indicates that your siding is either too loose or too tight.

If your siding is too loose, the wind will cause it to slap against your house. If it’s too tight, it will creak as it struggles to expand.

Of course, the temperature has an impact on vinyl siding. However, the installation process should aim to accommodate these changes.

This is why it’s important to investigate and invest in the best vinyl siding installers. Faulty installation may result in you needing to pay for repairs or even replacement at a later date.

When you start to notice a sound, call the professionals straight away to check it out! This isn’t an issue that you want to ignore. It could cause cracks to form and moisture to enter your home.

How Long Will Vinyl Siding Last?

Vinyl siding is known for its durability. Typically, it lasts from 20 to 40 years; however, some of the best quality variations could even last 20 more than that.

Sure, other siding types can also last this long, but they need much more maintenance than vinyl siding does.

That fact, alongside its affordability, is what makes vinyl siding appealing to so many people.

If you need further reassurance, why not look for vinyl siding that has a lifetime warranty?

This will cover you in the event that any future repairs are required, although this is extremely unlikely — as long as it is installed well!

Vinyl siding is able to last so long because it isn’t as affected as metal or wood by moisture, rot, and rust.