Siding is the face your home shows the world. New siding can reinvigorate an old home, dramatically enhancing its curb appeal. New siding can let you change the look and color of your house and help improve its energy efficiency. All American Exteriors Solutions has decades of experience installing a wide variety of siding alternatives.
Choosing the Right Type of Siding
The first step to a successful siding project is determining the best material and installation for your needs. The most common types of siding materials for residential structures are:
Wood Siding
Wood siding is the most widely used form of residential siding. Wood offers the greatest variety in form, coming in large panels, shingles or individually horizontal boards. Because wood is porous, absorbing and giving off moisture, you must properly maintain wood siding to prevent deterioration. The following wood siding styles are available:
- Wood panel sidings are made of plywood or hardboard, which is constructed of heat-processed wood pulp pressed into sheets. Panels are normally 4’ by 8’, 4’ by 9’, and 4’ by 10’ Plywood siding styles include smooth and rough finishes. Hardboard offers greater variety, including embossed sheets that resemble shingles.
- Boards or solid wood siding, both horizontal and vertical has a breadth of styles including vertical board-and-batten; bevel or bungalow; drop tongue and groove; or shiplap.
- Shingle sidings are ideal if you are looking to achieve a rustic look.
Aluminum Siding
Easily adaptable to a wide range of architectural styles, aluminum is available in either wide or narrow horizontal board siding and comes in a wide variety of colors and textures. Aluminum siding provides long-term durability and low maintenance.
Vinyl Siding
Installed in the same manner as aluminum, vinyl is a plastic that will not dent or scratch. It is much more flexible and easier to work with than aluminum. Vinyl also provides long-term durability and low maintenance.
Cement Fiber Siding
Cement fiber siding has the look of natural cedar siding and is available in a variety of colors. It is extremely durable and will not crack, rot or delaminate. Cement fiber siding also resists hail, mold, and mildew. Paint lasts longer on cement fiber siding compared to most wood siding. Most manufacturers back their product with a fifty-year material warranty. Depending on the product’s finish, a ten or fifteen-year paint warranty also is available.
