Exterior Sidings for buildings and homes are produced to satisfy multiple purposes. Considering each of the reasons, it can be easier to choose the best option for the facility. The primary purpose of using different sidings is to enhance aesthetics. The material used for the exterior of a home will extremely influence the overall architectural design and style, making it super important to carefully consider the preferred and suitable type of siding.
While sidings have an important role in the appearance of a facility, they also have many practical uses. Exterior sidings protect the home’s external portions providing a barrier against destructive weather conditions and improves heat and sound insulation in the process. Variety of materials, which are used in sidings production work better for different climates such as those that are very cold versus those that are very hot.
The last affection of these products on the house is the value of the facility. Choosing the right type of exterior siding will definitely influence the resale value of the house in a good way.
Types of Sidings
While knowing the important feature of exterior sidings, it is equally essential to have an idea about different options available in the market. The most important factor for choosing a new siding is the type of product. A customer should determine if a traditional horizontal siding or a vertical siding is required. Additionally, some people prefer rustic-looking charm and others choose to have ultra-modern metal siding to add contemporary characteristics to their buildings. Followings are the most popular and applicable types of exterior sidings in the construction industry.
Aluminum Sidings
The Aluminum is a soft metal, which allows manufacturers to create and fabricate the siding in different thicknesses. Products that are considered cheap ones are produced in 04 inches thickness that is commonly referred to as 40 gauge aluminum. The standard number for this specification is 44. However, homeowners who prefer to buy the best quality of aluminum sidings generally purchase the 53 gauge product. This type is more expensive but its price is outweighed by the life expectancy of the product. A home that is equipped with53 gauge siding will not require residing for at least 35 years and moreover, the facility will need painting procedure twice during the lifetime of the product to regain its beauty.
Aluminum sidings come in both vertical and horizontal formats, allowing the designer to have limitless choices and ideas for creating a perfect and modern appearance. These products provide perfect insulation properties, especially in heavier gauge cases. They work better than the vinyl sidings in insulations and can save the homeowner a huge amount of money on heating and cooling systems over the lifetime of the sidings. It is a fact that these products have easy installation methods thus the labor cost is also decreased considerably. These materials are an ideal choice for people who live in coastal communities with humid air and the presence of moisture. Some sidings may absorb the humidity and cause a wide range of issues for the homeowner. Another important advantage of aluminum siding is its corrosion-resistant specification which means unlike steel, it cannot rust during its lifetime. Additionally, this type of siding is waterproof and fireproof which complies with the safety standards.
Longboard Sidings
This type of siding is designed especially to fulfill the needs of modern and contemporary residential or commercial buildings. Longboards are very versatile products and are available with a variety of wood grains and solid color finishes. The main material of these products is aluminum which creates a super stable wood-metal composition with higher resistance to damaging weather elements. This durable and non-combustible siding can increase the value of the building. Some of the most noticeable advantages of this type of siding are non-combustibility, anti-graffiti coating, recyclability, and zero long-term maintenance. These materials will not rot, warp, fade, or peel. Longboards are available in 24’ lengths and 22 woodgrain finishes with a rich selection of powder coating colors.
Wood Sidings
This type is the most traditional siding of all types. Wood is extremely versatile and available in a variety of styles and designs. All of its styles are unique, beautiful and adds a traditional charm feeling to the home. Many people prefer the wood siding due to its elegant and natural appearance. The most common species that are utilized include pine, cedar, spruce, and redwood. Either the material can be left in its natural state or it can be painted and stained equivalent to the customer’s taste.
There are an enormous amount of profiles available in the market for wood materials. The most common profiles for wood include board and batten, shingles, shake siding, composite siding, clapboard, drop siding, vertical boards, wooden sheet siding, and log. Each of the mentioned sub-types has its unique set of pros and cons. For example, many people prefer to choose the classic look of shingles, however, they are considered the most expensive option and the clapboard is the cheapest of all.
The benefit that the entire systems share is their impact resistance, infinite customizability, and natural beauty. Wood is also relatively easy and quick to install and is one of the best options for DIY applications and projects. However, in addition to the regular and common maintenance processes, wood requires professional repairing procedures due to the presence of damaging factors such as termites, rots, and woodpeckers. The costs of maintaining the visual appearance of the product and protecting it from potential threats can quickly add up and cancel the low labor cost for installation.
