Siding

Siding: is the outer covering, or cladding, of a house. It is meant to shed water and protect from the effects of weather. On a building that uses siding, it may act as a key element in the aesthetic beauty of the structure and directly influence its property value.

Siding may be formed of horizontal boards or vertical boards, shingles, or sheet materials. For each type, avoiding wind and rain infiltration through the joints is a major challenge, met by overlapping, by covering or sealing the joint, or by creating an interlocking joint such as a tongue-and-groove. Since building materials expand and contract with changing temperature and humidity, it is not practical to make rigid joints between the siding elements.

Siding may be made of wood, metal, plastic (vinyl), masonry, or composite materials. It may be attached directly to the building structure or to an intermediate layer of horizontal planks called sheathing.

Wood Siding:

Wood siding can provide some minor insulation and structural properties as compared to thinner cladding materials.

Naturally Green Friendly:

  • Wood is a moderately renewable resource and is biodegradable.
  • However, most paints and stains used to treat wood are not environmentally friendly and can be toxic.

Types:

  • Clapboard is wood siding in overlapping horizontal rows or "courses".
  • Jointed horizontal siding may be shiplapped.
  • Board and batten is vertical siding, which may have a cover over the joint.
    • Or less commonly behind the joint — batten and board.
  • Wood shingles or irregular cedar "shake" siding is very versatile in style and can be used on a wide variety of homes in any color palette desired.

Cost Consideration:

  • Though installation and repair is relatively simple, wood siding requires more maintenance than other popular solutions, requiring treatment every four to nine years depending on the severity of the elements to which it is exposed.
  • Ants and termites are a threat to many types of wood siding, such that extra treatment and maintenance that can significantly increase the cost in some pest-infested areas.
Plastic Siding:

Vinyl or plastic siding has grown in popularity due to the generally low maintenance and low cost appeal it offers. It is among the easiest forms of siding to install, making it the top choice for many new home owners today.

Types:

  • Wood clapboard is often imitated using vinyl siding or uPVC weatherboarding.
  • Plastic imitations of wood shingle and wood shakes also exist.

Basic Facts:

  • Since plastic siding is a manufactured product, it comes in multiple color choices.
  • Historically vinyl sidings would fade, crack and buckle over time, requiring the siding to be replaced.
  • However, newer vinyl options have improved and resist damage and wear better.
  • Vinyl siding is sensitive to direct heat from grills, barbecues or other sources.
  • Unlike wood, vinyl siding does not provide additional insulation for the building, unless an insulation material (e.g., foam) has been added to the product.

Insulated siding:

  • Considered an improvement on vinyl siding, insulated siding is custom fit with expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) that is fused to the back of the siding, which fills the gap between the home and the siding.

Advantages:

  • It provides environmental advantages by reducing energy use by up 20 percent.
  • On average, insulated siding products have an R-value of 3.96, triple that of other exterior cladding materials.
  • Insulated siding products are typically Energy Star qualified, engineered in compliance with environmental standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency‎.
Insulated siding:

Considered an improvement on vinyl siding, insulated siding is custom fit with expanded polystyrene foam (EPS) that is fused to the back of the siding, which fills the gap between the home and the siding.

Advantages:

  • It provides environmental advantages by reducing energy use by up 20 percent.
  • On average, insulated siding products have an R-value of 3.96, triple that of other exterior cladding materials.
  • Insulated siding products are typically Energy Star qualified, engineered in compliance with environmental standards set by the U.S. Department of Energy and the United States Environmental Protection Agency‎.

Basic Facts:

  • Insulated siding is a durable exterior product, designed to last more than 50 years, according to manufacturers.
  • The foam provides rigidity for a more ding- and wind-resistant siding, maintaining a quality look for the life of the products.
  • The foam backing also creates straighter lines when hung, providing a look more like that of wood siding, while remaining low maintenance.
  • Manufacturers report that insulated siding is permeable or "breathable," allowing water vapor to escape, which can protect against rot, mold and mildew, and help maintain healthy indoor air quality.
Composite Siding:
  • Various composite materials are also used for siding: asphalt, asbestos, fiber cement, and aluminium.
  • They may be in the form of shingles or boards, in which case they are sometimes called clapboard.

Basic Facts:

  • Composite sidings are available in many styles and can mimic the other siding options.
  • Composite materials are ideal for achieving a certain style or 'look' that may not be suited to the local environment.
  • These products are normally cheaper than Stucco and Stone/Brick but has similar life spans.
  • The durability and environmental impact of composite sidings depends on the specific materials used in the manufacturing process.
  • Costs of composites tend to be lower than wood or masonry options, but vary widely as do installation, maintenance and repair requirements.
Masonry Sidings:

Basic Facts:

  • Brick or stone and can accommodate a variety of styles, from formal to rustic.
  • Though masonry can be painted or tinted to match many color palettes, it is most suited to neutral earth tones.
  • Masonry has excellent durability, over 100 years.
  • Requires minimal maintenance.
  • The primary drawback to masonry siding is cost.

Environmental Impact:

  • Depends on the type of material used.
  • Usually concrete and concrete based materials are intensive energy materials to produce.
  • However, the long durability and minimal maintenance of masonry sidings mean that less energy is required over the life of the siding.