We give a lot of thought to how our home’s interiors look. But during all this, we should not neglect our home’s exteriors. One essential aspect that needs proper consideration is your home’s siding.
Siding plays an important role in protecting your home from elements. But it can also make a huge difference in your home aesthetics— so knowing which material to choose is as important as hiring the best siding contractor in Peoria, IL.
Our team at ROOF TIGER has bought you this guide to help you select the right material and make an informed decision. This will ensure you get the best ROI and added curb appeal for years to come.
What Is Siding?
For those of us who are just getting started, siding, also known as wall cladding, is a protective outer layer of your home, which sits between the exterior walls and your home’s interior. You can think of siding as clothes you wear to protect yourself from various conditions. For example, your home becomes vulnerable to harsh weather elements without proper cladding.
Why Is Siding Important?
Let us know about the reasons why you should give proper attention to the siding of your home and the advantages it can provide you.
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The First Line Of Defense
Just like our skin acts as the first line of defense, protecting us from diseases, in the same way, siding acts for your home. It helps protect your home from many elements such as sun, storm, rain, and hails.
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Siding Saves Energy
Sidings come in different materials, such as vinyl, fiber cement, etc. Many of them can even help you save energy. For example, siding insulation protects you from wind and cold, reducing your monthly energy bills and keeping your home more comfortable for you and your family.
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Requires Less Maintenance
Some sidings require less maintenance, and thus you may not need to spend much in the future on them
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Improves Curb Appeal
Siding can dramatically improve the exterior of your home. These are used for improving the house’s visual appearance apart from protection. It is available in a wide range of textures and colors.
Popular Siding In Peoria
At this point, you know why siding can bring your home so many wonderful benefits. But there are many different kinds of material out there, and it’s hard to figure out which one is best for you. Don’t stress! We’ve got you covered with a list of our top picks for the best types of material for home siding.
Vinyl Siding
This is one of the most popular materials used for home siding. No matter the siding contractor you choose, they will give you the perfect aesthetic with vinyl.
Vinyl Siding comprises a synthetic and durable plastic material known as polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Compared to other materials, vinyl is the most affordable solution for homeowners, the major reason for its popularity throughout North America. Vinyl siding is also very easy to maintain and has a long life. This also comes in several colors, textures, and styles, making it easy to match your house’s exterior.
However, on the downside, the color of the sidings can fade, and these are not environment friendly.
Wood Siding
Next up is wood. This is also a good choice of material for your home siding. It has two types:
Engineered
Engineered wood, also popular as composite wood siding, has been around for approximately 20 years and is now a surprisingly popular choice with both homeowners and contractors. The main reason is that, since this wood is manufactured along with plastic and fiber, you do not have to worry about maintenance or high costs, as the material is both more affordable and durable.
Natural
Though the market is tilted towards engineered wood, natural wood siding is still in use. This is because natural wood looks much more visually appealing and is environmentally friendly. However, these have a high cost and need maintenance.
Metal Siding
Metals Siding such as aluminum, steel, and zinc are used for home siding. These materials are naturally beautiful and can be shaped into any design or edge. Also, the strength and longevity of these panels can surpass other options on the market. Another advantage of metal is that these require minimal maintenance and are fire and insects resistant.
But on the flip side, metal sidings are prone to dents. These do not look good and thus can reduce your curb appeal. Also, the replacement of this siding is a very cumbersome process.
Fiber Cement Siding
This is a top-class composite material. This is made from combining various materials such as cement, cellulose, wood pulp, etc. Fiber cement is one of the most durable exterior siding materials. The fiber cement can also replicate wood and stone looks.
It also has a high visual appeal and comes in various colors. In addition, because it’s made from cement, fiber cement siding is impact-resistant, does not rot, and has high compressive strength. Due to all these benefits, these sidings, especially James Hardie fiber cement sidings, are very popular.
Brick Siding/ Stone Siding
Stone is one of the most durable building materials available. In addition to being beautiful, stones such as limestone, granite, and slate are almost resistant to harsh weather conditions. In addition, they’re naturally sustainable and easy to maintain — providing you with a long-lasting material that is good for both your house and the environment.
However, these are the most expensive out of all the popular siding materials for homes. It also requires specialized installation.
Stucco Siding
Materials such as cement, water, lime, and other aggregates form Stucco. As one of the most enduring methods of external insulation, Stucco has been used for thousands of years and is still immensely popular today.
Stucco siding, if done right, will hardly need to be painted again. It’s also resistant to insects and flames, which means that you never have to worry about one of your biggest maintenance headaches.
However, to create this siding, high specialization is needed.
Things To Consider While Choosing The Siding For House
Now, you know all the different materials that are extremely popular for siding. But having too many options is overwhelming as all the materials listed above have pros and cons. Thus, to know which material would be perfect for your home, you must consider the following things:
Climate
Some areas are more prone to strong weather conditions than others. Thus, it would help if you made sure the material you are buying fits your area’s climate.
Home’s value
Before you contact a contractor and for the installation of siding for the house, you must ascertain whether you will be living in the same area for the foreseeable future or not.
Cost
You need to set a specific budget to spend on the siding for your house. Consider how much you can spend and make purchases accordingly.
Maintenance
Some sidings require a lot of maintenance. While siding like vinyl needs less maintenance, other types such as stone can require much effort.
Are You On The Internet Searching For “Siding Contractors Near Me?”
Siding installation is a very tough and expensive job to do. Thus you must choose an experienced and highly professional siding contractor for your job. But this is not an easy task. So how would you determine the contractor you choose is as good as they claim?
Following is a list of some questions you should ask before hiring a home improvement contractor:
Does The Contractor Have A State License?
This is a very important question to ask. Hiring a licensed contractor helps increase trust and reliability. You should always check with your contractor to ensure they have the proper licenses for your home, especially if you’re installing anything other than wood. It’ll help keep you out of trouble and ensure everything is done right.
How Many Years Of Experience Do They Have?
Experience is a big factor &mdashf; some contractors have more experience than others, so that might be something you’ll want to keep in mind. When a siding contractor has been in business for many years, it’s a good sign that they can handle an average job. You’ll have peace of mind knowing that your siding contractor has the experience and knowledge necessary to do the job correctly.
Does The Contractor Offer Warranties?
As a customer, you are aware that construction work is highly unpredictable. But with the right contractor on your side, you can expect to achieve an end product that will last for years to come. In addition, the best contractors offer warranties and guarantees as a way of showing their dedication to creating quality products.
Ask For References!
One of the best ways to know whether you’re dealing with a good contractor is to ask for references from their past customers. Ideally, you should ask some of their customers and contact them to get an idea about the work.
Best Siding Contractor In Peoria, IL
ROOF TIGER is one of the best siding contractors in Peoria, IL. Our team has 20+ years of combined experience in siding installation. Whether you need help with siding replacement or repair, ROOF TIGER is here to help.