The number of available options for your home’s siding Kansas City may feel overwhelming, but an important choice is what material to use. Natural materials have become prohibitively expensive for many. Fiber-cement siding and vinyl siding have become increasingly popular at roofing companies Kansas City for their low cost, low maintenance, and durability.
Fiber-Cement Siding
Fiber-cement siding is a liquid, cement-like mixture of wood fibers, Portland cement, clay, and sand manufactured by James Hardie Building Products. This liquid is molded to very closely resemble painted wood, stucco, or masonry. Fiber-cement siding is more expensive than vinyl, but much less expensive than wood. It is also more durable than wood, stucco, or vinyl. The siding does not require painting, but accepts paint readily should you wish to change your home’s exterior color. Applied paint and caulk stand up well as this siding resists expansion and contraction due to heat and cold. In addition, fiber-cement siding does not rot and is termite-proof and storm- and fire-resistant.
Fiber-cement does have drawbacks to consider. The material is heavy, requiring special tools and techniques for installation, which adds to labor costs. In addition, retrofitting new cement-fiber siding requires that old siding be removed. This can take a day or two and also adds to the cost.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding also mimics the texture of wood, although some vinyl siding provides a more realistic simulation than other sidings do. The siding comes in a wide range of colors that are baked into the vinyl. The color won’t nick or scratch. Because vinyl siding is less expensive and lighter weight than fiber-cement, it is faster and less expensive to install. The old siding does not have to be removed. New vinyl siding meets the standards of the American Society for Testing Materials, which ensures that it will maintain its shape in high temperatures, be resistant to high winds, and retain its color better than vinyl siding did previously.
Vinyl siding, however, is not as durable as wood or masonry in extreme weather. Very high or violent winds can get underneath the vinyl and bend it up or even rip it from the home. Hail and windblown debris or debris thrown by a lawn mower or snow blower can puncture or crack vinyl siding. Siding that has been damaged cannot be patched, but must be replaced, and, although vinyl siding now holds color better than previously, it still does fade after a few years. The finish also dulls over time. Consequently, the replaced section may not exactly match the original siding. Washing your vinyl siding annually helps maintain its appearance. Given how long durable vinyl siding lasts when it is not damaged, this is an important piece of maintenance.
Contact companies that sell siding Kansas City or roofing companies Kansas City, for more information.
Author’s Bio
Daniel Blake Todd has two decades experience in roofing and construction and is certified with CertainTeed, and write for companies that sell siding Kansas City or roofing companies Kansas City, for more information.