Since it was first invented in the 1950s as a replacement for traditional wood siding, the quality of vinyl siding has dramatically improved over the years. Like many innovations, manufacturers have improved the product over time to become one of the best lower cost alternatives to other siding materials. If you’re looking for a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution, it may be your wisest choice.
Today’s vinyl products are much more durable and don’t crack, buckle, sag, or fade like their predecessors. Every poor product should have the chance to improve its reputation, right?
Something must explain why exterior vinyl siding has captured a third of the nation’s new home siding market. First things first: it has become an affordable alternative to wood exterior siding. You can expect to spend around $2 a square foot, installed, for vinyl, whereas you’ll plunk down around $5 a square foot for wood.
Hate Painting and Scraping in Summer Heat?
If you’ve ever tried to mop sweat from your brow, steady yourself on a ladder, and squint in the blazing sun while paint chips rain all over you, you might be ready to break off your affair with wood. Check out these practical advantages of vinyl:
- An extensive range of colors and textures that resemble wood
- Cleans up with a power washer and mild detergent
- Does not require repainting, resurfacing, or repeated sealing against water or insects
- Lasts longer than other siding materials, including wood and metal
Save Time and Money
Would you rather spend your summer vacation time repairing termite damage and spitting cedar shake on your home exterior–or take some time out at a mountain lake or beach resort?
Many manufacturers and retailers dispel the myth of exterior vinyl siding that’s gone with the wind. With proper installation and double-nailed hems, deep profile vinyl holds up well under all types of weather conditions. Panels need to be tight, yet at the same time flexible enough to adjust to changes in weather extremes to allow for expansion and contraction. When installed properly it won’t rattle out a Sousa march in a stiff breeze.
