5 Things to Know Before Using Vinyl Siding for Your House

If you were to think about factors that directly affect the appearance of your house, the siding would top the list. It serves a very important purpose: it’s a welcoming facade that people who drive by and come to visit notice right away, and it’s also supposed to protect your home from the elements.

Vinyl siding serves these purposes, both visual and functional. It’s a popular choice among homeowners and designers alike due to its numerous benefits. If you’re about to pick a siding for your home and you’ve stumbled across this article, you’re likely considering installing vinyl panels. It’s a long-term investment, so you should make an informed decision. The information in this article should give you brief characteristics of vinyl siding and, ultimately, help you make your choice.

DIY Installation

If you prefer to do house projects on your own, we have great news. Vinyl siding is easy to install, and the entire process is very straightforward. It will require some handyman skills, but if you feel you know your way around, feel free to take on this challenge. In case you don’t know how to cut vinyl siding or proceed with the installation, don’t worry! There are many informative tutorials online that can show you exactly how to do it.

Keep in mind that your vinyl siding will be as good as its installation. Even though the process is not that complicated, you need to do it right to avoid warping and bending. If you don’t feel comfortable doing it on your own, hire a professional installer, and rest assured your vinyl siding will look good at all times and fulfill its purpose.

Durability and Low Maintenance

When compared with other home exterior options, vinyl siding performs very well. It can endure a ton of wear and tear, and it will last you a long time. Vinyl siding is built to last, and it’s resistant to adverse weather conditions. It also holds up very well when it comes to sun fading. Because it’s so long-lasting, it’s ultimately a very eco-friendly and cost-effective choice.

Additionally, vinyl siding requires very little maintenance. Obviously, you’ll have to deal with dirt and grime that builds up over the years. You can simply hose it down, but keep an eye on moisture. If it manages to penetrate the siding, the water damage can be quite extensive.

Quality

You probably pay no mind to standards, and why should you? However, they’re great indicators when it comes to quality. As for vinyl siding, it’s covered by the American Society of Testing and Materials (ASTM) Standard 3679. The panels you buy should have this designation displayed on packaging and product fact sheets. The 3679 designation is a minimum standard. If you prefer more expensive products but of better quality, choose a higher-standard vinyl siding.

Customization

Traditionally, vinyl siding was available only in basic color schemes, such as pastel or beige. Today, customizing it according to your preferences is no longer an issue. You can match the color of your siding with your roof, doors, windows, or other features, and you can pick almost any shade you want. Keep in mind, though, that you won’t be able to repaint it, so choose your color wisely!

Also, you can make a decision regarding the layout. You can choose either horizontal or vertical siding – it will significantly impact the way your house looks on the outside. Builders tend to install horizontal panels on traditional homes, while vertical siding looks best on contemporary designs. If you want to achieve an elongated look, opt for horizontal siding. However, it makes one-story homes optically shorter. You can work with that, though, and combine it with a layer of stones or bricks at the bottom.

Price

Vinyl siding is a great material to use for your house, and it also looks esthetically pleasing. The pros don’t end here – it’s also fairly inexpensive, especially when compared to other materials like wood.

If you’re looking for affordable options, vinyl siding might be just right for you. It requires basic maintenance, little inspection, and is quite easy to install, even if you decide to go the DIY route. It should last you for decades, and if you take into account other factors, it’s a very cost-efficient investment.

The Bottom Line

As you can see, vinyl siding is a great material to use for your house. It’s a durable, long-lasting investment that requires little maintenance to look effective. Additionally, when it comes to other home exterior options, it’s really affordable.

Vinyl siding is easy to install, so you can do it yourself if you’re confident with your craftsmanship skills. However, proper installation is key to the best-looking product. Even high-quality materials will buckle and warp if you fail to put them correctly. That’s why you should consider hiring an expert to do the work for you. It will be worth it in the long run, and you’ll be able to enjoy your vinyl siding for years to come.