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If you were in the market for a good siding material, what features would you look for? Ease of installation? Durability? Low maintenance? Or one that adds aesthetic appeal to your home? For many homeowners, all these features are a must-have for a siding material.
What if we told you there’s a siding product that offers all the above features without compromising on cost? Enter vinyl siding!
Since its inception in the 1950s, vinyl siding has undergone vast improvements. These improvements have made it the most popular option in the country for single-family homes, according to a National Association of Home Builders (NARB) survey.
But vinyl siding is not without its drawbacks. In this guide, we’ll explore the pros and cons of vinyl siding to help you choose wisely.
What Is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is a weatherproof, plastic exterior wrapping for a home, commonly used for weatherproofing. It’s the most popular cladding type for homes, thanks to its contemporary look, energy efficiency, and weatherproofing properties.
Pros of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding has become the homeowners’ favorite option for a variety of reasons. Here’s what gives vinyl siding an edge over other siding materials.
1. No Painting Required
Want a siding material that doesn’t require painting? Vinyl siding is your best bet.
All siding materials, save for vinyl, come coated with a color layer. Vinyl siding, being the only exception, is unique in that its color is baked in. Vinyl’s color is 100% homogenous, meaning it runs from top to bottom and cannot be stripped or scratched off.
2. Relatively Inexpensive
Vinyl siding costs significantly less than all the other siding materials, which is partly attributed to labor as you can DIY the installation, saving on costs.
Vinyl siding, on average, costs $3 to $6 per square foot or around $12,000 for a medium-sized house. Considering that most homeowners spend between $3,000 and $10,000 on labor, it’s easy to see why vinyl siding is affordable.
3. DIY Installation
The beauty of vinyl siding is that you can DIY the installation. Even if you’re inexperienced, you can install it yourself with less hustle, though it’s still better to hire a local installer to ensure a quality job. This siding material is more DIY-friendly than many other siding options out there.
4. Low Maintenance
Vinyl siding requires low maintenance, partly because there isn’t any paint to peel. Much like any other siding material, you can expect vinyl to get dirty over time, but the debris can easily be removed with a water hose or any cleaning detergent.
5. Durability
When buying a siding material, you want a product that will stand the test of time. Vinyl siding has been proven to be highly durable and resistant to elements. Research shows it can withstand harsh elements and wind gusts and last up to 30 years.
6. Plenty of Color Options
If aesthetic appeal is a top concern, vinyl siding will not disappoint. The right color can help improve your home’s curb appeal. Vinyl siding is available in a wide variety of color options, so you can choose one that fits your personal style preferences.
Whether you want bright shades or dark shades, there’s a colored vinyl that will match your taste. You can even have it customized to look like wood or a smooth metallic surface.
Cons of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding has its fair share of drawbacks, which we’ll discuss below.
1. May Lower a Home’s Value
While vinyl siding may be the perfect option for many homeowners, it doesn’t add significant value to your home. Vinyl is inexpensive, which is why it’s so popular. Because of its cheap price, many homeowners perceive it as a low-end material, hence, it doesn’t give you an upper hand when selling the property.
2. Fades Over Time
Vinyl siding isn’t prone to scratches, but it will fade. While it can last up to 30 years, this doesn’t preclude it from fading. If you live in a region that experiences extreme temperatures, your vinyl siding may begin to fade after several years due to oxidation.
3. Not Sustainable
Vinyl siding is made from synthesized PVC through a process that emits high levels of sulfur dioxide, dioxin, nitrogen oxide, and other harmful substances. For this reason, it’s considered not environmentally friendly, though no studies show it’s harmful to health.
Where to Find Vinyl Siding
Many suppliers provide vinyl siding owing to its popularity and the many benefits it brings along, so finding a supplier near you shouldn’t be a problem. Simply type “vinyl siding supplier near me,” and the search engine will populate a list of reputable sources near you.
If you’re a vinyl siding contractor or professional installer, finding vinyl siding leads should be easy. You could use traditional marketing techniques to spread the word about your business or leverage the services of a reputable agency, like Mile Radius, that delivers vinyl siding leads as texts or phone calls.
The Verdict
As you can see, there are many advantages to using vinyl siding, such as easy installation, low cost, durability, and plenty of color options to choose from. However, there are still drawbacks you should consider before opting for this siding material. Only go for vinyl siding if its pros outweigh its cons.
