Vinyl siding costs quite reasonably, especially when buyers consider other materials that are often used for siding. Common choices of wood and aluminum nearly double the cost when used to decorate the exterior of a home.
Families working on a limited budget often make the final decision for their home. Since it is pre-tinted, the labor and expense involved in maintenance during installation or years later is not a factor.
Due to its durability, homeowners do not face high maintenance bills and are free to devote their resources to other improvements. Another benefit of vinyl cost is its resistance to insects, mold, or mildew, and it doesn’t suffer from rot like its wood counterpart.
With over 300 colors to choose from, what’s even more enticing is the growing selection of patterns available. With the convenience of siding, homes can now have the look of log cabins, stone walls, or various styles of cedar and shingle.
Although these options are a bit more expensive than traditional siding, vinyl siding costs a lot more than actual log, stone, or cedar planks and shingles, and takes far less time to install. Many pattern choices can be incorporated into various architectural styles and designs.
Vinyl siding was introduced in the 1950s as an alternative to aluminum siding. When it finally cracked, sagged or faded, it was surrounded by a questionable reputation. Over the years, vinyl has undergone major improvements in how it is produced and chemically treated to increase its durability.
The industry has set standards for thickness, color retention and resistance to weather elements such as high winds, heavy rain and hot sun. Research continues to push products to higher quality, providing customers with the best possible product while maintaining affordable siding costs.
With today’s heavy emphasis on going green, vinyl siding cost isn’t just financially economical; it’s also the environmental economics. Due to its light weight, much less fuel is required to move it from the factory to the field. The production of siding, such as mortar or brick, requires more than twice as much energy as siding.
Compared to the manufacturing process of vinyl siding, they generate more waste in the environment because any extra or scrap can be recycled back into the vinyl product. Unlike some manufactured products that require wearing a respirator or dust mask throughout the installation, the siding can be placed without any special precautions.
Once installed, no chemical sealants, paints or stains are required, so no harmful substances are released into the atmosphere. Homeowners are advised to perform minimal maintenance and occasionally wash siding with a mild soap and water mixture. There are no recurring costs to keep this siding looking good. The only downside may be the initial vinyl siding cost.