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Siding for your Home
The four most common siding materials are
wood, vinyl, and aluminum, and fiber cement
siding. Brick, stucco, and other materials
are dealt with in other areas of this guide.
- Aluminum Siding - Aluminum siding is the strongest. The
drawbacks to aluminum including
dents and
dipping, and the need to paint
it every few
years.
- Fiber Cement Siding - This siding is very durable, available
in wood-like texture finish,
and available
in several styles: lap siding,
shingle siding,
vertical siding, and planks.
- Vinyl Siding - The most popular material for new construction,
vinyl siding is inexpensive,
easy to install,
and easy to maintain (no painting
required).
It doesn't dent or rust, but
it may crack
if hit hard in very cold weather.
Because
the color pervades the material,
scratches
do not readily show.
- Wood Siding - Wood is a traditional siding material
and is available in shingles and planks.
It is the most expensive of
the three options
and requires regular care,
including painting
and caulking, to maintain the
wood. On the
positive side, if well maintained,
it can
be the most beautiful of the
sidings (which
explains why vinyl and aluminum
try to imitate
its appearance).
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