Aluminum Siding Vs. Vinyl Siding: Which Is Better?

You may be thinking about giving your home a makeover or replacing damaged siding to your home

. Replacing your home's siding is a good way to improve the looks of your home and it will help improve the appeal if you intend to sell your home. While there are many types of home siding available, two of the most common forms of siding are aluminum and vinyl. In the quest to upgrade your home, you may be asking the question: aluminum siding vs. vinyl siding: which is better? There are some things you must consider when making this decision.

Aluminum Siding Benefits and Drawbacks

Aluminum siding is very popular. This siding is created out of sheets of aluminum that has the color baked onto the metal. It is available in a multitude of colors, and it receives paint well if you want to change the color of it. It is more environmentally friendly than vinyl siding because it is less hazardous to the environment to manufacture and dispose of at the end of its life. The metal makes it easy to bend so that it can be fitted around corners and it is easy to cut to length. Aluminum siding needs little maintenance and it is less expensive than natural wood or masonry. It is popular because it does not contract or expand from temperature changes. The same thing gives this type of siding its benefits also lends itself to several drawbacks. Since the siding is constructed from aluminum with the color baked onto the surface, the color does not go all the way through; therefore, if you scratch the surface, you will expose the metal underneath. It is also more expensive than vinyl siding and it is subject to denting easily.

Vinyl Siding Benefits and Drawbacks

Vinyl siding is constructed by extruding and molding the vinyl into its siding form. One benefit is that since the material is molded or extruded, the color goes all the way through the finished product. This means that the color will last longer and scratches will not expose metal or other colors beneath the surface. It is easy to maintain and less expensive than masonry and natural wood materials, as is aluminum siding. The main drawback to vinyl siding is that since it a molded product, you will not be able to bend and shape the siding to fit around the corners. You will need to install vinyl corner pieces or install aluminum siding on the corners. Vinyl is susceptible to expanding and contracting during cold and hot weather. Although it retains its color longer than aluminum, the color does tend to fade and chalk over time, and it is not recommended that you paint over vinyl.

Considerations that May Make the Difference

If you find that the choice of aluminum siding vs. vinyl siding is daunting, you could try combining the two. You can install vinyl siding to your home with aluminum siding on the corners. If you have a garage, you can install vinyl to your home and aluminum to the garage. If the cost of materials is an issue, you can choose the vinyl siding. If you want a siding that you can paint, you can choose the aluminum siding. You can also mix and match the two sidings with a natural material such as wood or with brick or masonry for a more tailored look. The final decision depends on your taste, lifestyle, and finances.

by: Steve Field

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