If you’re building or upgrading the exterior of your house, what type should your siding be? Is vinyl the right choice?
We understand your dilemma. You don’t want to put money into a siding product that isn’t worth it and have to change it again in a few years.
In this article, we cover the vinyl siding pros and cons so that you can make up your mind. At Team CHE, we have experience in exterior services, including installing all types of siding.
Pros of Vinyl Siding
If you install vinyl siding, you get numerous advantages. The question is whether they render this investment worth it or not.
Affordability
Vinyl siding makes financial sense to most people. Look at the material cost and installation cost, that is low because of the lightweight and interlocking design. You can get vinyl siding for half or a quarter the price of fiber cement!
Our clients who choose it typically do so because it’s less expensive than most other materials for siding.
No Paint Needed
Vinyl siding, unlike wood siding, doesn’t need to be painted. In fact, it’s one of the only siding types that never needs painting; most require a stain or paint.
Instead of exterior paint, the color is baked-in (incorporated into its coating and runs all the way through in a homogenous structure). You can match it to the color scheme of your house. If it’s unavailable, you can paint your original siding with the vinyl siding colors you desire.
Without a color layer, there’s no flaking, chipping, or peeling paint. You don’t need to spend hundreds of dollars on paint, caulking, or refinishing the exterior siding later on. Also, you can’t scratch or strip it.
Low Maintenance
Vinyl is arguably the most low-maintenance siding material. You don’t need to paint or reapply, prime, patch, or caulk on it or peel or scratch it.
Its slick surface allows debris, dust, and cobwebs to slide off your vinyl siding panels. All you need to do to keep it properly maintained is spray it with a garden hose every once in a while.
Durability
Your vinyl siding can typically survive for up to 30 years! It’s sturdy against harsh elements and wild winds of up to 110 mph.
We can understand its durability using the gauge system, which measures the thickness of the siding panes and the lifespan of vinyl siding.
Homeowners who choose a 55-gauge siding may not need to change it for 40 years. Those who go for 40 to 45 gauge-siding options can expect a lifespan of about 25 years.
Easy Installation
You can get vinyl siding properly installed in no time and without much effort. That’s because its design is lightweight and has an interlocking feature.
Vinyl siding installation is DIY-friendly, but we recommend hiring a vinyl siding installer. After all, proper installation by a contractor prevents expansion and cracking, which can cause moisture issues down the line.
Efficiency
Let’s talk about energy efficiency. Vinyl siding has an insulating effect. You can ask homeowners who have switched from any siding material to vinyl if they’ve noticed a drop in their utility costs. Chances are they have!
Installing insulated vinyl siding enables your HVAC and central systems to work efficiently and last longer.
Cons of Vinyl Siding
Understanding the main drawbacks to vinyl siding panels is crucial if you’re to make an unbiased decision. Ask yourself how relevant and impactful they truly are.
Low Resale Value
If you plan to sell your house in the future, note that vinyl siding may decrease its resale value because many buyers consider it inferior to other types of siding.
That’s especially true for any historically significant property. In that case, you’ll be better off with wood siding, fiber cement siding, or stone veneer siding. Even better, you can research neighborhood trends to get siding ideas.
Expensive Repairs
Vinyl siding is sturdy and rarely needs maintenance. However, when it does, it can be costly. That’s because you’ll need to replace the entire damaged plank (rather than patch it up).
These issues may look like bending, bulging, warping, and cracking under pressure. Some people DIY it, but incorrect installation can cause moisture issues. For that reason, we urge you to hire an experienced contractor for the job.
Climate Damage
Some climates have an adverse effect on your vinyl siding panes. Think cracking, breaking, and splitting due to the natural expansion and contraction caused by temperature changes. This fact renders vinyl siding an unfavorable option if you live in a climate with unstable weather.
Additionally, hail, debris, high winds, and strong storms may damage it. Vinyl siding is mostly installed over a styrene insulation board layer, which may trap water vapor inside. Water can slip through gaps at the siding edges if it isn’t caulked.
This problem causes leakage, mildew, and mold. However, the damage tends to be minimal, thanks to the water-resistant house wrap usually installed under your siding.
Less Eco-Friendliness
Vinyl siding is made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC), a type of plastic. Most recycling centers won’t take it because it’s difficult to recycle, so it gets burned in landfills, causing pollution. Also, its construction emits greenhouse gasses and carcinogens.
You may hear that installing such plastic exterior siding causes some health problems. But there’s no evidence for that.
Final Verdict
Have you made up your mind about installing vinyl siding panels? Is it the right choice for you? As you can see, it all depends on your particular circumstances and needs, such as your budget, climate, and investment goals.
If you haven’t made up your mind, you’ll benefit from our experience in siding and our quality services. Request a quote from Team CHE, the ‘no-stress’ exterior solution in Triangle, Triad, Coastal Carolinas, and Greenville, South Carolina.
