Top Reasons to Choose Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding has been a popular choice for houses ever since its introduction back in the 1960s. It was first offered as an alternative to aluminum siding. Since then, it has steadily become more popular and has made many advancements in its manufacturing. Now, vinyl has become much more resilient and durable, allowing it to be almost indestructible. Of course, ‘almost’ is the keyword. It does have its flaws and it can become damaged due to extreme hot or cold weather, which would require repairs or replacement.

But under normal conditions, it is some of the most resilient material available. Combined with its durability, vinyl is still one of the most popular choices because of its versatility. Due to it being a manufactured plastic material, it can emulate many different kinds of looks and textures, often imitating real wood grain.

If you are thinking about vinyl siding for your home, it is a great choice. Vinyl is among the most popular material choices for sidings, largely due to its affordable price tag and low maintenance. Even with vinyl siding cost so low, it still retains a premium level of durability. But that is not the only benefit of utilizing vinyl for siding. Here at Minnesota Exteriors, we not only pride ourselves in providing quality service and results but also helping our customers make the most informed decisions.

When considering an upgrade or renovating the exterior of your home, it is a decision that requires a lot of thought and research. How much does vinyl siding cost? What about maintenance and repairs? After all, it is a fairly large financial decision, and changing or upgrading the siding can drastically change the aesthetics of your house. Before you decide if vinyl siding is right for your home, here is everything you need to know about the characteristics, aesthetics, and maintenance of vinyl siding.

Characteristics of Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (more commonly known as PVC) resin, which is a plastic. It is a lightweight material that is very versatile and can be manufactured in many different colors, sizes, styles, and textures.

Because of its plastic composition, the thickness of vinyl can vary, allowing for many types of vinyl siding. Thicker vinyl can be more resistant to cold weather.
Depending on the extremities of the temperature, vinyl can tend to expand and contract. It could crack due to extreme cold weather.
Vinyl siding is commonly installed over old wood siding, acting as a retrofitting siding.
Though vinyl siding installation is relatively easy, proper installation is very important to prevent warping or water damage.

Aesthetics of Vinyl Siding

Aesthetically, vinyl is a beautiful material that is very versatile. It can imitate different textures, which allows it to emulate many classic looks of different materials.

It comes in strips or panels that are usually placed horizontally but can also be installed vertically.
Vinyl can emulate the look of different textures, such as traditional wood, without compromising the durability of plastic.
There are a wide range of vinyl siding colors and even types of vinyl siding, making it easier to customize the look of your home and give it more curb appeal.
Easily combine contrasting colors for different faces of your home.

Vinyl Siding Maintenance

Vinyl is known for its low maintenance. It is a durable material that won’t need periodic repainting like wood, nor does it need constant cleaning.

Due to the nature of its manufacturing and the material, vinyl siding is very low maintenance. There is no need to paint it, as the color is solid throughout all panels.
If vinyl siding becomes damaged, such as a crack in the siding, it must be replaced or repaired or it will lose its weather tightness.
Cleaning vinyl siding is relatively easy. A soft cloth or long-handled soft bristle brush is enough and there are specific vinyl siding cleaners available, too.

Pros of Vinyl Siding

Upgrading or redoing your home with this kind of finish will definitely give an updated look to your house, raising the curb appeal and the value of your home. Here are even more benefits to choosing vinyl for the siding on your home.

For vinyl siding prices are very affordable, with some of the cheapest being about $9.60 per 10 square feet.
It is durable and resilient to weather, insects, etc.
There is a wide range of vinyl siding colors, textures, and designs, allowing it to be versatile and replicate many classic looks.
Due to its interlocking design and the lightweight nature of vinyl, it is relatively easy and fast to install, but it is still important to have it installed by knowledgeable and skilled professionals.

Cons of Vinyl Siding

Just like any other choice of siding, vinyl comes with its drawbacks. For instance, one of its main flaws is that under extremely cold conditions, the siding can crack. If it cracks, you could potentially be facing water damage problems. Although it is a great choice, vinyl siding does have its flaws and it’s best to be aware of them before you decide for certain.

Vinyl could potentially be damaged in extreme weather temperatures.
If it becomes damaged, even the best vinyl siding can be difficult to repair, as is replacing vinyl siding due to its interlocking design.
It does not naturally act as insulation, so additional insulation will need to be installed under the vinyl siding.

Why Choose Vinyl Siding?

Depending on your criteria, vinyl can be the best choice for your home’s siding. It is a simple and cost-effective way to add value to your home and to update the look. Since it is such a versatile material, you can pick a unique color, or add a new texture to the exterior of your home. All in all, vinyl siding is a great choice, whether you are looking to upgrade or update your home. It is aesthetically pleasing, extremely durable, and is an affordable way to raise the value of your house. There is a reason why it continues to be the most popular choice for siding in today’s homes.