Few home preferences divide people like vinyl siding. Most people tend to have a strong reaction to it: either they love it or hate it. In our experience, the majority of people who hate it believe wood is the only way and that vinyl siding comes with a lot of shortcomings. However, a lot of this thinking comes from an outdated impression of vinyl. Today’s vinyl is actually a fantastic option for most houses. Vinyl siding has changed quite a bit since it first showed up on homes, and it’s truly nothing like it used to be, which is why it’s used on around a third of new homes. There are many pros to taking this approach, but we’ve got four big incentives for Raleigh, NC homeowners to use vinyl siding.
Benefits of Vinyl Siding
Relatively, vinyl as a building material has had a fairly short timeline, but a lot has evolved. It was first used in the 1950s as a departure from aluminum siding. In the early days, though, it had some issues. Due to the original composition’s tendency to crack, warp, and fade, the material got a negative reputation. Today’s vinyl, however, has a different chemistry, and installation techniques have greatly improved over the years. Many homeowners actually prefer vinyl siding today, and it’s not a mystery to us why.
Here are four leading benefits of vinyl:
- It’s Low Maintenance. While no material is going to be 100% maintenance free, vinyl is very easy to maintain. One pro is that it never needs to be repainted or stained. The color will last the lifetime of the vinyl. To keep vinyl looking its best, simply wash it periodically. This will remove any mold, mildew, dirt, or other film that has built on your home. A garden hose and a mixture of vinegar and water should do the trick, but for tougher, older stains, use a pressure washer.
- It’s Affordable. Vinyl has always been a cost-effective option. A mid-grade vinyl currently costs around $1.60 per square foot to install. More premium versions of vinyl may compare with woods like cedar, but vinyl still comes out on top because it’s quicker to install and doesn’t need to be painted.
- It Holds Up to Weather. Many people tend to think wood is the go-to for withstanding weather, but vinyl today can actually hold its own. There are versions of vinyl capable of sustaining tornado-force winds of up to 240 mph. Plenty of vinyl siding options come with a “won’t-blow-off” warranty, guaranteeing their reliability as long as they’re installed properly.
- It Can Go Toe to Toe with Wood. Modern vinyl can actually perform as well, and better in some cases than wood. It can also be made with the same look and texture. Performance-wise, vinyl is actually less likely to trap moisture than wood. It can absorb sound, have superior impact-resistance, and resist wind and heat flow. Aesthetically, it can be made to look like milled lumber and even logs, and it can be cut in an array of designs, including a scalloped look.
With all of the options for vinyl siding in the Raleigh, NC area today, there’s no reason for it not to be a solid contender for your home. For questions, please contact us at Kingsford by calling (919) 688-5116, or request a consultation with us on our website.