Siding

We are very excited to announce that we are going to start providing new services here at Valley Roofing & Exteriors! Apart from installing and repairing roofs, we will be offering siding, windows, and door services. The focus of today’s blog is to discuss, inform, and educate you about siding. Large companies make siding complex and challenging to understand. Let us break down siding by answering the big questions: what siding is, why it’s important to your home, and what types of siding are there?

What is siding?

In the most basic form, siding is a protective material that is attached to the outside walls of your home or other buildings. It’s sometimes called wall cladding, and if you’re familiar with this term, it’s the same as siding.

What does it do?

Much like the home’s roof, it’s the first defense against outside elements. The siding is designed to protect your home from the sun, rain, snow, heat, and cold. We can understand the role of siding as an essential part of your home by keeping your walls and insulation safe from the weather. It effectively prevents moisture from entering your walls and, thus, averts damaging the insulation. Moisture getting into the walls causes many issues. Having dampness in your walls can cause warping, mold, bowing, and structural damage to your foundation.

Siding doesn’t just protect your home from the weather; it also protects you from encountering undesirable situations. Such as having insects and dirt enter your home. It’s an extra layer to protect against rodents and other animals. Siding is an excellent investment and ensures the welfare of your home.

What is it Made out of? 

Siding is made out of several different materials; it all comes down to preference and what works best for your home. A commonly used siding material is wood. There are pros and cons to using wood siding. The advantages include that it is easy to paint, eco-friendly, biodegradable, and energy-efficient. Another pro is that it is easy to repair if damaged. The disadvantage of using wood siding is the high cost. Another con is that it’s high maintenance; you need to repaint or restain the siding every 3-7 years. Sometimes siding can acquire weak spots, and it’s recommended to receive inspections regularly. Overall, wood siding is an excellent option for your home.

Another option would be vinyl siding. Some of the advantages of vinyl siding include the fact that it is very reasonably priced, straightforward to install, and it’s exceptionally durable. A common disadvantage is that it can fade over time. Although it doesn’t require painting, for aesthetic purposes, it can be painted. Moreover, the surrounding area can be prone to water damage if it is not installed properly. It can also crack or break in extreme weather conditions.

The next option is metal siding. It may not look as aesthetically pleasing, but it’s excellent material. Probably the biggest pro of metal siding is that it is incredibly durable. It can also be coated in vinyl or plastic coating, and this can last for up to 35 years. It also comes in all sorts of styles.

Several other siding materials are commonly used: composite siding, wood shingles, fiber cement siding, and stucco, brick. Wood options include masonry, engineered wood, and clapboard. All siding options have their set of pros and cons. It would be best if you did the research on your home and found what is most compatible with your needs.

Whatever you decide, Valley Roofing & Exteriors can now be your go-to siding contractor. For all your roofing and siding needs, call Valley Roofing!