When building or renovating a home, it’s important that you consider all of your options. And while price is certainly a consideration, you can’t forget about durability and aesthetic appeal. With so much to think about, it’s often difficult to narrow your choices and hone in on a specific material. Today, let’s take a look at vinyl siding and weigh the pros and cons so that you can make an educated decision.
The Pros of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding isn’t popular for no reason. For decades, vinyl siding has made a name for itself as one of the most dependable siding solutions on the market. Here are a few reasons why:
1. Easy Installation
When compared against other siding materials like brick and steel, vinyl siding is incredibly easy to install. It requires a certain amount of expertise, but is relatively simple for contractors. If you have firsthand experience with how vinyl siding works, you may even be able to do it yourself. However, this is not recommended.
The simple installation process means vinyl siding can be installed in a relatively short period of time. Whereas it can take weeks to finish a house with other materials (depending on size), vinyl siding can be completed in days.
2. Long Lasting Color
If you have a home that’s situated in direct sunlight for the majority of the day, then you understand how certain aspects of your property are prone to fading. The beauty of vinyl siding is that it maintains its color and look for a number of years.
Whereas paint can chip, fade, and flake, modern siding stays protected from the elements. This prevents you from needing to repaint your home every few years, which can cost a few thousand dollars every single time.
3. Cheaper Than Alternatives
Perhaps the biggest advantage to using vinyl siding is that it’s significantly cheaper than the alternatives. And it’s not just a slight price difference. It can be a massive discrepancy when you’re talking about a home with lots of surface area.
Full brick siding can cost anywhere from $6-$10 per square foot; natural stone between $14-$18; aluminum siding between $2.50-$5,00; wood siding between $2.50-$8.00; and fiber cement siding between $1.25-$2.00. What’s the average price of vinyl siding, you may wonder? Try somewhere between $.65 and $2.00 per square foot. If you’re on a budget, you can see just how cost-effective the decision to go with vinyl siding can be.
The Cons of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding isn’t perfect, though. As is the case with any siding material, there are a handful of disadvantages. You’ll have to determine whether they offset the advantages. Check them out:
1. Not Water Tight
Perhaps the biggest disadvantage with vinyl siding is that it isn’t always watertight. While it is water resistant, it’s not waterproof. This means water can get between the siding and the surface of your home and lead to major problems down the road. The risk of this happening is relatively low when you consider the incident rate, but it does happen.
If builders follow the criteria laid out by the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, they’ll place building paper behind the siding to protect against water damage. In this case, it’s very unlikely that you’ll suffer damage as a result of moisture.
2. Risk of Damage in Inclement Weather
As mentioned, vinyl siding is fairly sturdy and holds up well over time. However, if exposed to inclement weather and excess hail or storm damage, vinyl siding can be prone to dents and cracks. It’s also possible for vinyl siding to melt in very extreme temperatures (but this is not likely). Just keep this in mind as you weigh your choices.
3. Problems with Cold Weather
Finally, you have to consider that vinyl siding doesn’t always cooperate with cold weather. This is especially true if you’re trying to install vinyl in the dead of winter. When temperatures dip below freezing, it’s much more likely that vinyl will crack. In fact, putting on siding in temperatures lower than 40 degrees greatly increases the chances for buckling and cracking after installation. Your contractor can advise you on the best time to install vinyl siding.
Choosing the Right Contractor
When it comes down to it, vinyl siding is an excellent choice. It has it’s own set of disadvantages, just like any siding material, but is a cost-effective and attractive solution that you’ll be satisfied with. However, that statement is based on one very important prerequisite. You must select the right siding contractor to install your vinyl siding.
So, what do you look for in a siding contractor? Well, for starters, you want to make sure the contractor is experienced and has a number of positive referrals and reviews. Second, you want to verify that the contractor is licensed and insured. Third, you want to ensure that the contractor stands behind their work and will offer to fix or replace any issues that arise within a reasonable time after installation.
Take your time, weigh your options, and don’t settle until you find a contractor that you trust. Once you can find a contractor that meets the criteria referenced above, you can then rest assured that installing vinyl siding on your home is the right choice.
Contact Iron River Construction Today
At Iron River Construction, we offer roofing, siding, and remodeling services to clients in the Twin Cities. We have more than 15 years of experience and are known in the industry for transparency, honesty, and quality work. Not only are we members of the MN Better Business Bureau, but we also have a licensed insurance adjuster on staff to quickly and efficiently satisfy all of your needs.
If you’re looking for the right siding contractor to install your vinyl siding, look no further than Iron River Construction. We’re the premier siding contractor in the area and would love to welcome you into our family of clients. Contact us today to find out how you can get a free in-home consultation and quote for your next project!
