In This Article, You Will Learn:
1. The Benefits and Limitations of Wood Siding
2. The Benefits and Limitations of Vinyl Siding
3. Wood vs Vinyl: Which Siding Material is Best For Your Home?
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When it comes to curb appeal, residential siding can make a world of a difference to the value of your home.
From market interest and selling speed to an increase in overall property value – a well-maintained property is a powerful way for Canadian homeowners to maximize their assets!
As wood and vinyl have remained two of the most popular siding materials for residential properties, it’s important to understand how these materials differ from one another in terms of style, features and overall budget. At T. Simpson Roofing Ltd., we strive to support our clients through every aspect of their renovation journey.
To help you best prepare for your next home siding project, the following article will outline the benefits and limitations of wood vs vinyl siding materials, and how to determine which option will best support the needs of your home:
The Benefits and Limitations of Wood Siding:
With a celebrated natural aesthetic, wood siding has been the most commonly used material up until the last few decades.
Available in a wide range of styles, wood siding offers a great deal of versatility and customization to enhance the aesthetic of your home.
Resistant to extreme temperatures, this eco-friendly siding material can also increase the overall resale value of your property with 20-40 years of reliability.
However, it is also important to note that wood siding is often the more expensive option that requires more maintenance to ensure long-term curb appeal.
Unfortunately, wood siding may also increase the risk of peeling, moisture damage, rotting and wood-eating insect infestation without proper maintenance efforts.
With routine maintenance, cleaning and wood treatment methods, wood siding can still provide a number of profitable benefits to boost the value and curb appeal of your home.
Benefits of Wood Siding:
– Natural Aesthetic
– Eco-friendly
– Lasts 20-40 years (if properly maintained)
– Resistant to Extreme Temperatures
– Increases Property Value
Limitations of Wood Siding:
– More Expensive – Harder to Install
– Harder to Insulate
– Requires More Maintenance (such as scraping and repainting)
– Susceptible to Moisture Damage, Rotting & Wood-Eating Insects
The Benefits and Limitations of Vinyl Siding:
While vinyl siding was introduced as an alternative to aluminum siding back in the 1950’s, it has since grown to become the leading siding material across North American homes.
From inexpensive versatility and increased energy-efficiency to low maintenance requirements and increased insulation, vinyl siding is available in a number of customizable styles, including a wood-like finish for those who prefer a traditional aesthetic.
Resistant to moisture damage, rotting and insect infestation, vinyl siding can often last 40+ years with a professional installation.
Unfortunately, vinyl siding is not without its flaws.
While this material does not peel like painted wood, vinyl siding may experience some colour fading with long-term exposure to direct UV rays.
An improper installation can also increase the risk of gaps, allowing water damage and/or insect infestation to hide beneath.
Although vinyl siding may not offer as much return on investment as their eco-friendly, wood siding alternatives, they still remain the most popular siding material for Canadian households due to their affordability, convenience and long-term reliability.
Benefits of Vinyl Siding:
– Inexpensive (with added insulation)
– Available in many styles and colours (does not require painting)
– Lasts 40+ Years
– Easy to Install & Maintain
– Resistant to Moisture Damage, Rotting & Insects
Limitations of Vinyl Siding:
– Not as eco-friendly
– May bend or crack under pressure
– Colour may fade over time
– Not resistant to extreme weather
– Poor installation can cause hidden water damage or insect infestation
Wood vs Vinyl: Which Siding Material is Best For Your Home?
While it is not uncommon for many Canadian homeowners to prioritize overall cost and appearance when choosing their home siding materials, there are a number of factors to consider before choosing between vinyl and wood.
In addition to upfront expenses and curb appeal, it’s important to consider how durability, energy-efficiency, installation and ease of maintenance might fit into the needs of your home and overall lifestyle:
Energy-Efficiency:
While wood siding can provide some insulation capabilities, its natural materials will contract and expand as the seasons change. Without the ability to create an air-tight seal, vinyl siding stands superior in terms of energy-efficiency.
Durability:
As wood siding materials run the risk of moisture damage, rotting and termite infestation, geographical location can sometimes play a role in your selection process.
With a tightly-sealed installation, vinyl siding alternatives have become a modern solution for eliminating the risk of water, mold or insect damage.
Installation:
When updating your home with wood siding, part of the process requires immediate painting and wood treatment. Vinyl siding, on the other hand, does not require any preparation or labour before or after installation as the materials come treated from the manufacturer.
Ease of Maintenance:
When deciding between wood vs vinyl home siding, it’s important to be realistic with your maintenance expectations. While wood siding will require routine maintenance to avoid rotting, warping, paint peeling and/or insect concerns, vinyl siding can save a great deal of time and money with minimal maintenance requirements.
From customization and curb appeal to energy-efficiency and increased resale value, upgrading your home siding can offer a number of profitable benefits to the value of your home.
While both siding options remain popular across the market, we highly recommend that homeowners evaluate the short-term and long-term requirements and how they might best support the needs of their home, budget and overall lifestyle.
If you are interested in learning more about your home siding options, contact our professionals at T. Simpson Roofing Ltd. at 1-800-925-3044, or click here for more information.
