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Vinyl vs.
Steel Siding |
If you are in the market for new siding,
you have a lot of choices to make. Most people today are
choosing no maintenance siding, and steel or vinyl are both
good choices depending on your budget and needs.
Steel siding is extremely durable and will last your
lifetime, but it is expensive. It can be up to double the
cost of vinyl. The benefits of steel are it is much
stronger. Steel will not crack or buckle, and will hold up
to dings such as rocks thrown from your lawn mower much
better than vinyl or aluminum. The downside is the cost; and
installation can be more difficult. You will need a special
cutter (available at rental stores) to cut the siding
correctly. For angled edges such as peaks, steel must be cut
by hand with tin snips, which can be hard on your hands. It
is also less forgiving than vinyl. It is much easier to snip
1/16” off vinyl than steel. However, if you are planning on
staying in your home, steel is a great choice.
Vinyl siding is less expensive, and may be the best choice
if you plan to resell your home in a few years. It is also
very durable and will last many years, however it is not as
strong as steel. When choosing vinyl siding, get the best
grade possible; as cheaper siding is prone to bulging with
extreme weather. Vinyl siding is relatively easy to install
and very easy to cut as compared to steel. Incorrectly
installed vinyl siding will buckle. This can be caused by
too tight a fit side to side, or if the siding is nailed too
tight to the wall. Siding needs room to expand and contract
with the weather.
When you are pricing siding, be sure to include the cost of
the J channel and corner pieces. Most people just look at
the cost of the siding and do not factor in the finishing
pieces. J channel is the finishing edge you place around
doors, windows, and the top of the wall. The unfinished edge
of the siding fits against the J channel, which works as
trim for the siding. Corner pieces are the finishing pieces
put in each outside corner that the siding butts up to.
These pieces are expensive and will add a lot to your total
cost. Another expense is the starter strip, which is a metal
strip that the first piece of siding snaps into at the
bottom of the wall.
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eHomeResource.com
Home Tips &
Related Articles |
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Common Vinyl Siding Problems
1. Crack or Punctures.
2. High Wind Damage.
3. Melts in high heat.
4. Poor Insulator.
5. Vinyl made with PVC may have toxic elements. |
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Common Steel Siding Problems
1. Costly.
2. Difficult to repair.
3. Limited color and style choices.
4. Poor insulator.
5. Easily bends or dents. |
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