Do you find yourself admiring the house down the street with its clean and pristine look? Maybe you have caught yourself staring at a friend or siblings house with a bit of envy. If you want your home to attract the same attention, there are some steps you can take to increase your curb appeal.If you have some time and budget, you can add new siding to your house to create a whole new look! If you are wondering where to start, look no further. We have answers to some of the common questions and concerns you might have when it comes to new siding for your house.
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Consider the Extent to Which Your House Needs Updating
Does your house need all new siding? Or does it merely need new paint? Sometimes a fresh coat of paint is all you need to update the image of your house. If there is no serious damage to your existing siding, if there are not large cracks or missing pieces, consider painting the existing siding. However, if your siding is damaged or missing pieces, it might be time to replace it.
Choose the Right Siding
When you are planning to invest time and money into your home, it is vital to ensure you are choosing high-quality materials that are suited for the elements, and that fit into your budget. Two options are engineered wood siding and vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding is more cost effective, on average costing $30-40 less a square foot. Vinyl siding is consistently a popular choice because of its durability and how weatherproof it is. It is typically made to mimic the look of wood and can be painted. There are many different types of siding to consider, but vinyl siding is a great and affordable option. If you are looking for a cost-effective, yet stylish opportunity to update the look of your home consider vinyl siding.
Choose a Color
Vinyl siding can easily mimic wood, or color can be used to add a bright splash and make a bold statement. When considering color, it is essential to look at several things. What is the landscape like around the house and would any colors on the siding clash with the landscaping?
Is there a theme for the neighborhood in which a certain color would clash? If your community does not lean towards bright or bold colors, consider a more neutral color that will not create discord with the houses around yours.
Choose a Grain or Texture
How do you want your house to look? The type of siding you choose will significantly influence the final look of your home. A few typical styles of vinyl siding are horizontal or Dutch lap panels, shiplap, board and batten, shakes, or scalloped paneling. A little research into each of these styles can give you a better idea of which look would be best for your house.
- Horizontal or Dutch lap panels is a classic look. Horizontal or Dutch lap panels are easily used throughout the entire house and are easy to mix with other exterior options, such as brick or rock. These panels are by far the most common type of paneling seen on homes. You will recognize this look by long planks of siding that are slightly thicker at the bottom than the top and are installed from the bottom to the top. It comes in a variety of sizes which create drastically different looks.
- Shiplap siding is another popular option which, unlike Dutch, does not focus on overlapping boards instead showing boards tight against each other. This creates a smoother look, even a more rustic one perhaps. Similar to hardwood floor, it is installed tongue-in-groove. This style has been made incredibly popular for indoor and outdoor use by recent design television shows.
- Board and batten is a rustic look with roots in Norway. It became popular in the midwest on barns centuries ago. Board and batten paneling is recognizable by wide, gapped, vertical boards with battens over the gaps protecting them. The bonus of this method is that it allows for expansion of the siding in weather without damage.
- Shakes siding is a common type of siding made from pieces of wood split from a log. Vinyl shake siding is meant to mimic this look, with the durability and low maintenance of vinyl. In this look, the splits are long with overlapping shakes in varying sizes. Shakes are sometimes called “rough shingles.”
- Scalloped siding is a much more decorative look than many other options, but creates an elegant and unique look to your home. Scalloped siding has special scallops built into the siding to create a stunning pattern throughout the exterior of your home.
Consider the Long-Term Investment
Before making any investment into your house, you need to consider the long-term financial and physical effort requirements. Vinyl siding has color baked in, so there’s no need to repaint down the road. You will need to clean the siding with a special rinse one to two times a year. Since there is no wood, termites and other bugs are not going to be an issue.
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Vinyl siding is also recyclable, so it is an eco-friendly option if that is an essential concern for you. However, vinyl siding does not add any insulation to your home so it will not lower your utility bills.
Some options for vinyl siding have insulation built in, which is a factor in the initial cost to consider. Vinyl siding is overall very durable, is resistant to dents, it is flexible, and it holds up in most weather conditions. All of these factors help in the long-term cost of redoing the siding on your home.
When it comes time to consider redoing the exterior of your home, there are many things to consider. Vinyl siding is an excellent option. However, if you feel overwhelmed at the thought of doing it yourself, consider calling a professional. The experts at Advanced Roofing & Siding Inc. are more than capable of helping you increase the curb appeal of your home.