Choosing New Siding Doesn’t Have to Be Hard!

Many homeowners understand the benefits of new siding; after all, it has the highest return on investment out of all other home improvement projects. Choosing New Siding Doesn’t Have To Be Hard. It should be fun. The siding choices available seem endless, all of which have different costs, and their own set of pros and cons. At Energy Savings California, we want to make sure our clients are fully informed and know all of their options when choosing new siding.

Wood Composite Siding:
Composite wood siding is attractive, affordable, and easy to install. Some of today’s wood composite materials are engineered to resist moisture and bugs. Currently about 80% of the customers that call us for a siding replacement bid, have some type of wood composite, and unfortunately most of these homes were built less than 10 years ago. It is one of the most affordable siding materials, but it might cost more in the end because it requires more maintenance than other siding types including painting or staining. Wood composite normally offers little fire, insect, or water damage resistance.

Aluminum Siding:
Aluminum has been a good option for homeowners that require a lower maintenance siding product. It comes in many different sizes, textures, and colors. Aluminum siding is very durable and resistant to moisture, fire, and bugs. Some of the common complaints are fading color (even when pre-painted or finished), noise, and the ugly dents and dings. It is also more difficult to perform custom trim work with aluminum siding. To combat the dents and dings, some aluminum siding products have a protective vinyl or plastic type of coating. Aluminum siding is moderately priced unless it is the coated variety, which tends to be much more expensive.

Vinyl Siding:
After aluminum, vinyl was the next step in the evolution of a siding product that offered a low cost and low maintenance home exterior. You probably remember in the early 2000’s, vinyl was very popular. Though less popular today, vinyl is still widely used and comes in many different styles, textures, and sizes. Vinyl requires very little maintenance, is affordable, moisture and insect resistant, but offers no fire resistance. Our most common siding repair calls are to repair vinyl cracking, warping, melting, or flapping (noise).

James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding:
Fiber cement offers the look of natural wood, is extremely low maintenance, and one of the most (if not THE most) durable siding products available today. We have seen the sledge hammer home show displays that try to show that other composite materials are stronger, but when tested in its intended environment (on a house), there is nothing better. It offers maximum fire, water, insect, and damage resistance. It offers the highest return on investment of any other siding material, and is virtually maintenance free. The costs for fiber cement siding are typically higher than the other siding materials.

When it comes to updating or remodeling your home, we know how important it is to get the most out of every dollar spent, so why not start with the project that will give you back the highest return on investment – fiber cement siding!   When you replace your siding with James Hardie siding products, you will get a better return than remodeling the kitchen or bathroom.   In addition, because of the durability, low maintenance, and 30-year warranty, you will enjoy continued savings for years to come.

Choosing New Siding Doesn’t Have to Be Hard. Call Energy Savings California today and speak to one of our siding experts, or make an appointment for a no cost consultation. (916) 955-3374. Visit our website at www.energysavingscalifornia.com.

About Amy Broxham