If you have recently renovated your house and you’re thinking about which material to choose for your exterior siding, vinyl siding might become an option. Using vinyl is tempting, especially when you consider that you’ll never have to paint your home. Vinyl material is low maintenance, but the question is, is it really the right material to use for your siding?
Why Choose Vinyl?
- Long-lasting: Vinyl is a highly durable material that can last for a long time. Vinyl is permanent because titanium dioxide is usually added to the chemical mixture to block UV rays.
- Available in various grades, thicknesses, and colors: It’s available in various colors and can replicate architectural details. Also, you can buy different grades of vinyl and it’s available in various thicknesses.
What Are the Downsides of Using Vinyl?
Although vinyl is a popular choice for homeowners, it has its downsides as well.
- Looks low-quality: Some of the downsides of vinyl are that it can appear lower-quality and may pose health risks due to its PVC production.
- The hanging expands: Vinyl siding can expand, which means it must be hung loosely. However, if it’s too loose, wind can get underneath it and lift a panel out from the wall. When this happens, it can puncture the vinyl, and despite the new developments to make vinyl stronger, its plastic sheets may still crack or break if struck or pulled at.
- Relatively more expensive: Though vinyl siding is considered cheaper than other types of siding, the many options and choices offered today can make it more expensive. Therefore, it’s not always the lowest-cost alternative to exterior siding.
Maintenance
Vinyl doesn’t need paint, but most of it can be painted. However, this doesn’t mean the material is maintenance-free. If you want to maintain its appearance, you should wash it once a year. Non-vinyl elements will need routine painting while vinyl siding just needs to be cleaned.
Another thing you should remember is that when moisture gets trapped beneath the siding, it can encourage the growth of mold and mildew. This is why it’s important to have professionals install vinyl siding for you.
Energy Conservation
Some people think that vinyl siding provides insulation. It does, but only a little. And when it comes to insulation, no amount of siding can provide you the best one. Therefore, regardless of the siding material you choose, you may still need to install extra insulation inside the walls.
Color Availability
As mentioned, vinyl comes in various colors. Therefore, you get to choose something that will match your home’s exterior perfectly. What you will also love about it is that its color will not fade quickly because the pigmentation is embedded in the material instead of applied to its surface.
However, that doesn’t mean the color won’t fade over time. Fading may happen after five years or so.
Could Vinyl be the Best Choice for You?
Similar to other siding materials, vinyl has its pros and cons. Still, it is one of the best materials to use for exterior siding. So, if you’re thinking of getting one, vinyl is an excellent choice that will add a layer of protection and appeal to your home. Use this information when choosing which type of siding to use for your property.
Let the experts install vinyl siding in your home! Pro-Quality Contractors offers siding services in Indianapolis. Contact us today to schedule a service.
