Who Wins Between Wood and Vinyl Siding?

Siding protects not only the exterior of your home but the interior. It is among the first things the eyes notice along with the doors, windows, and roofing of a structure. You know that siding is essential to a home, but what type? Who wins between wood and vinyl siding?

Both wood and vinyl siding have benefits and disadvantages. In this article, we will examine the similarities between the two types of siding along with the drawbacks.

Vinyl Siding – Advantages and Disadvantages

Vinyl siding is a durable type of exterior protection. It offers the same benefits of other types of siding, which keeps pests away from the structure along with moisture. Vinyl is also popular because it is low maintenance compared to different variations.

The type is terrific at withstanding weather and resisting moisture. You also do not need to repaint it, which saves homeowners a ton of time. It is also one of the cheapest types of siding for homeowners or builders on a tight budget.

Here are the main pros of vinyl siding:

• Easy to install to home.
• Exceptionally low maintenance.
• No need to repaint.
• Several options and colors available.
• Excellent at withstanding moisture and humidity.
• Combines well with foam insulation.
• Durable type of siding with a lifespan of nearly half-century.
• Pests have trouble infiltrating the siding.
• Very inexpensive and affordable for all budgets.

Here are the cons of vinyl siding:

• Known to crack in cold weather.
• Vinyl melts when exposed to extreme heat.
• Not the most environmentally friendly option.
• You cannot repaint, which limits the ability to change in the future.

Wood Siding – Advantages and Disadvantages

Wood siding is a close cousin of vinyl siding. The two types have many similarities. Builders like wood siding because of its natural appearance that looks great on just about any kind of home. However, it does demand far more maintenance.

There is an increased concern about protecting the type of siding from moisture and pests. Yet the aesthetic qualities are superb.

Here are the main pros of wood siding:

• Several installation choices are available.
• It offers a wide range of styles.
• Less likely to be impacted by extreme temperatures
• Dependable return on investment (ROI)
• Eco-friendly option that supports smart living.
• Relatively affordable type of siding depending on the wood.
• Long lifespan that ranges between 20-40 years, depending on the quality of maintenance.

Here are the cons of wood siding:

• Demands more time and patience with maintenance.
• Homeowners need to repaint or stain wood frequently.
• Susceptible to wood-eating insects.
• Prone to moisture and water problems.
• More difficult to install with higher costs for material.

Factors of High-Quality Siding

Several factors account for the best type of siding for your home. Fitting, there is no easy answer when settling the debate between vinyl and wood siding. Both offer comparable benefits, though wood needs more maintenance and better installation.

Regardless, you can depend on certain factors to be consistent with every home, no matter what type of siding. When shopping around, you want to consider these features to make sure your home is protected by high-quality siding:

• Appearance
• Installation
• Energy-Efficiency
• Maintenance
• Durability
• Costs
• Sound Performance
• Resale Value

The exterior of your residence plays a tremendously important role in the value of the home. A well-maintained home, especially on the exterior, improves curb appeal, which are the first details of a home prospective buyers notice. Siding is part of having a pleasing and rewarding curb appeal.

Therefore, you must emphasize the value of good siding, whether you choose wood or vinyl. Siding that is lacking in quality and deteriorating is a major eyesore. Additionally, it poses dangers to the entire structure, like water damage and pest infestations.

Wood and vinyl siding are two of the most common types of siding. They both offer a ton of advantages with wood siding generally being more expensive and difficult to install.

Let us examine some of the top factors in determining the right type of siding for your home and needs:

Appearance

Everyone wants something that looks good for their home. Fittingly, siding is no different. Siding is one of the first things guests and prospective buyers notice when they visit your home.

As a result, when you decide between vinyl and wood siding, you should consider which one you like better. Wood siding may work better on rural homes and other settings where the assets of the style stick out. Meanwhile, vinyl is great for homeowners that want little maintenance after it gets installed.

Energy-Efficiency

Wood siding is slightly more efficient compared to wood siding with no insulation. However, the difference is not stark. The difference is even less noticeable when homeowners install a type of foam insulation behind vinyl siding.

Energy-efficiency is a trendy term in the home building industry where there is becoming a higher value on producing structures that harm the environment as little as possible and do not rely on dwindling resources.

At the end of the day, wood is more natural compared to vinyl to produce. The two siding styles are about the same in insulating a home and limiting energy costs.

Installation

Vinyl siding is faster and easier to install compared to wood. Vinyl siding usually locks into place with planks and shingles that connect to fasteners. Therefore, you do not need to sand, prime, or paint the siding as it gets installed.

Wood siding, on the other hand, requires more time to install. The boards need to get cut with a saw to precise lengths. Extra care is sometimes required for the boards like priming and painting it with a finish. You also need to nail each piece into place.

Costs

Vinyl is the more affordable type of siding. You cannot beat it in terms of price, which is why it has become so popular in new homes. Furthermore, it saves you money down the road as you need very little maintenance. There is no need to repaint or stain the type of siding.

On the other hand, wood siding is more expensive – to purchase the material and install it in a home. You also need to reserve higher maintenance costs down the road as wood needs tender love and attention to keep pristine.

Maintenance

Most home materials need some type of maintenance. While vinyl siding is not entirely maintenance-free, it is close to that possibility. It requires little time and care after installation.

Meanwhile, wood siding needs a lot of maintenance and deteriorates over the decades. Wood siding especially struggles in places of extreme temperatures or high humidity. As a result, you also need to account for the climate you are thinking about installing it to a structure.

Wood vs. Vinyl Siding – Final Verdict

There is no wrong answer as vinyl and wood siding are both great options. However, because wood siding is more expensive to purchase, takes longer to install, and requires more maintenance down the road – it’s hard to argue with vinyl.

Vinyl siding is extremely affordable and easy to install. You also do not need to repaint the siding, and there is less risk of water damage or pest infestations.

If your home is in need of new siding, get a free quote today!