Aluminum vs. Vinyl siding

Vinyl siding

Vinyl siding (usually composed of PVC resin) is the most common type of siding used in the North American continent today.  In fact, more and more homes are both being built and repaired with this type of siding all over USA. However, it was not always so and the rise in popularity of this type of siding is due to a variety of reasons mentioned below:

· Less expensive than other comparable siding systems

Vinyl siding is markedly less expensive than many other types of siding available in the market today. And that also includes Aluminum siding as well. However, this is more of a generalization since a few top notch companies offer their products at a premium well about the prevailing market rates.

· Insulation properties

Vinyl has been tailor made to offer vastly superior insulation properties than its other natural or alloy counterparts, which is why it is more popular in regions that suffer from extreme climatic conditions.

· Higher energy efficiency

Vinyl siding’s great insulation abilities mean that it is able to retain residual heat in your home a lot longer than other types of wall sidings. This way you don’t have to keep the thermostat high all the time and can even switch it off from time to time, thus increasing not just energy efficiency but also leading to lower fuel bills in the long run.

· Thickness

Vinyl can be made as thick as desired and that is why during storms and other violent weather outbreaks, it is a better protector than many other types of thinner sidings.

· More durable

Vinyl siding is a synthetic product and is therefore far more durable than many natural sidings or even alloys such as Aluminum. It also requires less maintenance than many of its other counterparts.

· Vinyl siding paint colors

A key benefit of Vinyl siding is that it’s coloring system is completely different from other types of sidings.  Unlike conventional sidings, the color is not an ‘add on’ that is sprayed on the surface of the siding once it has been finished, but it is an integral part of the vinyl siding itself  and basically is allowed to seep into the material.  This is why vinyl siding never requires a fresh coat of paint, it would be a pointless exercise since the paint will never bind itself to the surface and would simply drip off in big blotches.

Aluminum siding

However, that does not mean that aluminum siding should be consigned to the dustbin of history just yet. While it is true that it’s synthetic cousin i.e. Vinyl siding has been very popular but nevertheless aluminum siding is also making a steady comeback due to the many advantages associated with it. In fact, back in the thirties when it was first introduced, aluminum had dislodged wood siding as the premier wall siding preference in the country.

· The evolution of technology

Thanks to the steady evolution of siding technology, the aluminum siding available these days is as different from its ancestors as chalk is from cheese. It is considerably more durable as well as being more aesthetically appealing.

· Availability of Premium grades

The purveyors of top end aluminum siding offer aesthetically appealing as well as very durable paint jobs that have been designed to offer great functionality for many years to come.

· Greater heat resistant

This is of great importance in warmer and more temperate regions since aluminum siding’s legendary resistance to heat means your home remains noticeably cooler and as such you don’t have to pay higher electricity bills courtesy prolonged usage of your air conditioner.