With springtime officially here, homeowners around the country are losing the long sleeves and getting outside to work on their homes. While much of this involves basic landscaping, some of the more ambitious are looking for exterior renovations that can make a major impact to their home’s exterior. To this effect, few products can make as significant a statement as a siding update.
If you want a brand new gleam to your property, schedule a siding installation.
In this article, we will explore the many benefits of equipping your home with new siding and take a look at a few of the most trendy products from which to choose!
4 Benefits of Adding New Siding
1) Improved Curb Appeal 🏠
Arguably the top reason for adding new siding to a home is to increase the curb appeal. Raised, cracked, and dilapidated siding creates an eyesore that severely undermines an otherwise solid house. By replacing old siding with the latest products on the market, you can give your home a like-new transformation seemingly overnight.
2) Better Air and Moisture Barrier 💧
As a surface-level building material, siding gets pu
t to the test by the forces of nature more readily than other areas of the home. As such, degraded siding can be a turn
stile for unwanted air and moisture transfer. Upgrading the siding can create an air- and moisture-resistant barrier that protects the integrity of your home’s building envelope.
3) Increased Energy Efficiency 💡
Building off the last point, a more air and moisture resistant home will help ensure a more energy efficient structure. Well-fortified siding provides an initial layer of insulation that will increase the overall R-value of the house. This is a big deal in a real estate market where buyers are more environmentally conscious than ever.
4) Higher Home Value 📈
At the end of the day, all of these factors–boosted curb appeal, better protective barrier, improved energy efficiency–all lead to one major benefit: an increased value for your home. As the annual Cost vs Value report reveals that most types of siding projects yielded close to a 100% ROI in 2022, the value added makes a siding update one of the most worthwhile home improvement projects on the market.
Different Types of Siding and Their Benefits
Now that you know more about the general benefits of performing a siding upgrade for your home, let’s take a look at a few of the most trendy siding materials on the market and what types of benefits they bring to the table.
Metal
The most pronounced benefit of metal siding is its elite durability. Able to withstand extended sun, moisture, and projectile impact, most metal siding products are rated to last 50 years but will very likely outlast the life of the home itself.
In addition to the unmatched durability, metal siding is far more than a utilitarian option, with many types of steel log and rustic metal siding capable of being designed in an extensive number of finishes to capture any type of curb appeal you desire.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is one of the most popular cladding options on the market. As a synthetic product, it does not require the frequent painting and maintenance common with brick and wood planks. However, many types of vinyl cedar shakes have a wood-look appearance that closely resembles natural wood.
Perhaps the biggest calling card of vinyl siding is its relative affordability compared to other types of siding products. A typical vinyl shake siding installation will cost anywhere between $1.50 to $5 per square foot, depending on the type of shakes chosen and the experience of your installation professional. Compared to a product such as fiber cement that can run as much as $13.50 per installed square foot, it is easy to see why vinyl siding is a favorite choice among homeowners looking to make an exterior impact without emptying their savings account.
Manufactured Stone
From brick houses to stone cottages, masonry siding has been used throughout the centuries to provide a rugged, yet cozy, exterior for the home.
The problem with these products is that they are traditionally heavy and difficult to work with, often requiring the assistance of skilled masons and heavy machinery for installation.
Fortunately, modern manufactured brick veneer siding provides all of the aesthetic and durability benefits of traditional masonry siding without the challenges. Cut from larger pieces of stone into manageable slabs that are finished with a combination of natural and post industrial materials, brick and stone veneer siding is the ideal choice for homeowners who want all of the benefits of natural stone at a fraction of the time, money, and labor investment.
Resin Cast Wood
Like stone, exterior wood cladding is among the most popular rustic siding options on the market.
Also like stone, natural wood siding has a few issues that more innovative products address. In this case, resin cast wood cladding gives the appearance of natural wood without wood’s inconsistencies, fire risks, or treatment requirements. The result is a home’s exterior that appears to be clad in natural wood but is much more resistant to the elements to ensure long-lasting durability.
Reap the Benefits By Adding New Siding to Your Home Today
From improved curb appeal to increased energy efficiency, a siding update is one of the best ways to add value to your home. Some of the best products to help make a siding project a success include metal, vinyl, manufactured stone, and resin cast wood. If you are considering a siding update for your home and need additional ideas and inspiration, contact Monarch Roofing today for a consultation!
Roger Marx is a freelance writer that loves sharing his knowledge and expertise on home improvement projects especially deck construction. He lives in Minneapolis, Minnesota where he enjoys spending time with his wife and working on backyard projects in his spare time. Roger’s work as a freelance writer can be found on Building Product Advisor, a new construction industry resource site.
