Deciding New Siding – Pros & Cons Guide

The siding of your home is the skin that gives it character; and like your skin, it’s exposed to the elements. Here in the Hudson Valley, we’re fortunate enough to experience all four seasons, but with all of them, also comes the occasional hurricane, blizzard, and in rare instances, tornado. So, what’s this all mean? It means that the siding of your home can take a beating, and for some of you, it may be time to invest in new siding.

At DBS Remodel, we provide our clients with many siding options. But before you decide to side, it’s important that you know the pros and cons of the most commonly used materials, that way you can choose the best siding for your home & budget.

-Vinyl is made up of plastic and comes in a variety of thicknesses, textures, & colors.

Pros: It’s tough against most elements, and is often times cost effective. It’s a lightweight material, which can save on labor costs, and requires little to no maintenance. BONUS: most brands offer lifetime warranties!

Cons: Although it’s not a major con, Vinyl is simply plastic, and plastic can act as plastic does. It can crack, chip, or melt (depending on how close your barbecue is to your home!) Most vinyl is a standard 12 feet in length, which means unless you’re paying for premium, expect to see seams where your siding starts & ends.

 –Cedar, aka real wood siding, comes in varying grades & species. It can be stained to highlight the grains & textures that real wood provides, or painted if a less expensive grade of wood is selected.

Pros: Cedar siding offers natural beauty to your home. Its warm and rustic charm, make it a favorite among architects and some remodeling contractors. Cedar (and wood in general) is easy to cut & shape to the style of home and is a workable siding material.

Cons: Cedar can get expensive and is a high-maintenance material. It can allow for moisture & rot and invite unwanted guests, such as insects & even woodpeckers.

-Fiber Cement is made up of wood pulp, clay, sand, & you guessed it, cement! It can come in a variety of colors and accepts paint easily.

Pros: Fiber Cement holds strong against the elements, including fire! It won’t rot, is termite proof, and is low maintenance.

Cons: As expected, Fiber Cement is heavy, which means labor costs can be expensive. It can also take time to install.

 –Brick is mostly made up of clay, sand, & concrete materials. It comes in an array of sizes & textures.

Pros: Brick is extremely durable and is weather & fire resistant. It’s stately and can add elegance and charm to your home.  It’s also low maintenance, won’t rot, and is termite-proof.

Cons: Brick can be expensive, both to install and to fix (if need be). Its weight can affect your home’s foundation, and the mortar used to adhere brick together can be problematic. While brick is a durable siding option, it is limited in color choice.

When deciding on new siding, it’s important to keep in mind the pros & cons of your siding options. Exterior remodeling jobs can provide a major return on investment in resale, due to it being the first thing that potential buyers see. Thus, selecting the right siding for your home is paramount.  If your home needs new siding, contact your friends at DBS Remodel. Let our team of professionals make deciding on new siding, simple! DBS Remodel—When Cleanliness, Politeness, & Trust Matter!