Siding
Aluminum Siding
 Aluminum Siding is also one of the most popular exterior home coverings. It's more common than Seamless Siding because steel tends to rust when exposed for a long period of time, unlike aluminum.
– Aluminum Siding comes in long panels, so it takes less time to install.
– Like Vinyl Siding, Aluminum Siding is relatively low-maintenance in its first few years.
– Aluminum is waterproof, a good insulator, and the most fireproof type of siding.
– It has baked on enamel that can be flat or shaped to resemble wood grain.
– Unfortunately, aluminum is susceptible to dents and can be difficult to repair once it's been completely installed.
Vinyl Siding
– Vinyl Siding is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and has been used for a long time OR it has been used a lot and is still very popular nowadays. They can be fashioned to resemble wood.
– The average width of Vinyl Siding ranges from 6 inches to 10 inches. However, other various lengths and widths are available.
– Temperature will not affect Vinyl Siding, which can be installed in nearly any climate. Aluminum siding might take a long time to re-install if damaged, which is untrue of Vinyl Siding. Vinyl's temperature at which its ignites is very high (736 F). It has half the burn time of cedar and burns one third as hard. If I fire occurs in a house with Vinyl Siding, people can expect more time to get out.
– Scratches are rarely visible, since the PVC that the siding is composed of is solid all the way through.
– Vinyl Siding is similar in many properties to aluminum, such as weight and density. However, unlike aluminum, vinyl does not dent. And besides aesthetic repair, scratched vinyl siding does not rust and will not ruin the integrity of your siding.
Wood Siding
The most common type of siding for a house is wood. Cedar, cypress and redwood are favored among homeowners who enjoy the warmth and beauty of wood siding. And despite the expense and care involved, many agree that it is the most handsome choice. But is it appropriate for your home?
Wood in general is a haven for animals and insects. Many woodpeckers and other birds are drawn to the wood on the outside of houses. If you know types of animals and what type of environment your yard is in so you can choose the right type of wood. It is thought that tannin, a resin that is found in Cedar is a natural insect repellent. However, the same tannin can cause rain spots that will appear for the first three years that the cedar is on your home. Redwood is much like Cedar except that its color is slightly different.
Plywood, which is a common type of siding, is usually composed of Western Red Fir, Yellow Pine, and Douglas Fir. Either roughhewn or smooth, Plywood is usually attached to a home horizontally and isn't the best way to protect from water damage. However, Plywood is attractive for its natural look, and many ways are being developed to strengthen its structural integrity.
Cedar Siding
 Cedar, over other types of exterior materials, is chosen for beauty and appeal more than maintenance and cost. While cedar is durable, rich, and natural, it does need to be re-stained or painted just about every year to keep its attractiveness. However, it can be left to naturally age without cracking, rotting or warping like other wood. You'll never have to chemically treat cedar if you like the unfinished look and it has natural anti-fungal and antibacterial properties.
Care and maintenance of cedar must be routine and annual. While it is durable, it shows weathering quicker than other types of materials. Whether they are used as siding or roofing, cedar shakes (shingles) should be pressure washed (on a low setting) every year to remove dirt, bugs, and mildew. Also, to keep cedar looking new, homeowners should re-stain or paint cedar planks every one or two years.
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