In the past, homeowners have been limited to a few choices when it came time to purchase new siding for their home. Traditional materials such as wood and aluminum were all that people could choose from. In this blog post we go over The Best Vinyl Siding Brands to help you decide which is best for you!
- What is vinyl siding and how does it work?
- A Brief History Of Vinyl Siding
- What are the Benefits of Installing Vinyl Siding?
- What Makes A Good Vinyl Siding Brand?
- What Are The Top Brands Of Vinyl Siding?
- What Are The Different Types Of Vinyl Siding?
- What Is The Cost Of Vinyl Siding?
- Maintenance Costs?
- How to choose a brand of vinyl siding for your home?
- How do you choose between steel and fiberglass siding boards?
- Why should you always hire a professional installer to install your new exterior siding?
- How much does professional installation cost?
- What factors do homeowners consider when choosing the best vinyl siding brands?
However, times have changed and there are now many different types of siding available on the market today. One of these is vinyl, which is both stylish and affordable while also being very durable.
People who are looking to purchase a new siding for their home will certainly want to take a look at vinyl as it really does have a lot going for it.
Vinyl siding which has become very popular in recent years due to its durability and low maintenance requirements.
In this blog post we’ll discuss some of the best brands out there so you can make an informed decision about what type of vinyl siding is right for your home!
What is vinyl siding and how does it work?
Vinyl siding is a type of exterior cladding that can be used to cover the walls of buildings.
It’s made from a mixture of vinyl compounds and stabilizers, which are melted together into long sheets before being rolled onto large cylinders in order for them to cool.
Once they have been formed, these sheets must pass through a series of rollers to ensure that they are smooth and uniform.
The result is a siding panel which can be applied over the exterior of a home so long as it has already been properly prepared with sheathing or other types of building materials.
A Brief History Of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding got its start in 1835 when John Weisbach founded the first vinyl siding company in Cincinnati, Ohio.
He created a new type of building material that was composed out of leather scraps and coal tar which he called “cement board”.
It wasn’t until after World War II when Americans were looking for alternatives to traditional home cladding materials such as wood or metal did Weisbach’s invention begin to take off.
What are the Benefits of Installing Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is a very durable and low maintenance material that’s perfect for most homes. It won’t crack, warp or rot like wood does and it also doesn’t rust, peel or dent like aluminum can either.
Vinyl cladding has become especially popular among homeowners who live in areas where extreme weather conditions such as hurricanes, blizzards or tornadoes are common.
It’s also resistant to mold and mildew growth, which means that it won’t get discolored or deteriorate over time due to moisture damage.
Besides being very tough on its own, vinyl siding is one of the easiest types of cladding material to install as well.
However if you’re not up to the task of installing cladding yourself, there are a number of companies out there that offer professional siding installation services.
What Makes A Good Vinyl Siding Brand?
All vinyl siding brands aren’t created equal however and you’ll want to do your research before deciding on one that’s right for you.
It should come as no surprise that when it comes to making exterior cladding, the more expensive brands will usually be of a higher quality than their cheaper counterparts.
Some things you may want to look for in terms of quality include:
- Thickness
- Energy Star Ratings
- Manufacturer Warranties and Guarantees
You’ll also want to consider who is going to be doing the installation as this will affect how well your siding is put on and what type of warranty you get.
What Are The Top Brands Of Vinyl Siding?
There are many different brands out there today but here’s a list of some that we think deserve special attention:
CertainTeed
It is the popular choice amongst homeowners and contractors alike because they offer a wide variety of different products that are made from high quality materials.
You’ll find everything from lap siding to board-and-batten, vertical panels and even steel cladding options which can be used as an accent piece or for extra protection against the elements.
Mastic Home Exteriors
Another great brand that homeowners are happy to use. They offer the traditional features of lap siding, board-and-batten and other options but they also have several different textures available which can really give your home a unique look.
Alcoa Home Exteriors
Known for their high quality materials as well as their impressive selection of colors and textures.
They’re another brand that offers both vertical panels and steel cladding options for added protection against the elements as well as traditional lap siding, board-and-batten and other standard styles.
Harmonious Arts Vinyl Siding
This is a great brand that offers more than just siding materials though. Harmonious also provides windows, doors and other popular home renovation products so you can revamp your entire exterior with this one company!
Alside Vinyl Siding
A well known brand that’s been providing homeowners with high quality exterior cladding materials for years.
Next Day Siding/Erie Board & Supply Company
This is a great brand for homeowners that want to save money when it comes time to replace their home’s cladding materials, as they offer lower prices than most other brands do.
Tamko Vinyl Siding
A dependable brand that specializes in quality vinyl exterior cladding products at affordable prices. You won’t be disappointed with their selection or service!
What Are The Different Types Of Vinyl Siding?
It’s important to understand that not all vinyl siding is the same and you may want to choose a different type depending on what your specific needs are. Here are some of the most common types of siding that you’ll find on today’s market:
Lap siding
It is the least expensive type of vinyl cladding available. It’s thin, lightweight and easy to work with but it tends to warp over time unless homeowners use special care when installing it.
Board and Batten
It is made up of individual boards which are arranged in an overlapping fashion to create the look of vertical planks instead.
It’s thicker than lap siding, offers better protection against moisture damage and can be painted with latex paint so that homeowners don’t have to worry about repainting every few years.
Vertical siding
It is made up of long panels that are usually installed on the front and back of a home. It can be used as an accent piece or it can cover almost your entire exterior surface area.
This type of vinyl cladding also offers excellent protection against water damage but if something happens to one section, you’ll have to replace the entire panel.
There are many choices out there when it comes to choosing the right type of exterior home renovation material.
These brands offer a wide selection of products to choose from, which means you’ll likely find a material that’s right for your home whether it be siding or another type.
Keep in mind though that while these brands are some of the best on today’s market, there is no way this list could ever truly encompass every single vinyl siding brand available – far from it, in fact.
If you want to learn more about the best vinyl siding brands and what they have to offer then make sure you continue reading this blog post!
What Is The Cost Of Vinyl Siding?
There are many different factors that will affect the cost of your siding installation such as:
- Size and Shape
- Installation Type (Do It Yourself or Professional)
- Brand And Quality
The type of vinyl you choose can also have a large impact on how much your siding installation costs.
For example, the more expensive brands will usually be thicker and therefore offer better protection against mold or mildew growth while also being less likely to warp over time.
Some manufacturers may even offer different grades of vinyl that are priced accordingly on performance rather than cost alone which can save you money in the long run by offering better protection and durability.
Maintenance Costs?
Vinyl siding is extremely low maintenance compared to other types of cladding materials but it does require a little bit of upkeep from time to time in order for it to continue looking nice as new.
You’ll want to make sure that you’re caulking any gaps where moisture may be able to get in and you’ll also want to clean off any dirt or grime that’s built up on your siding at least once every few months.
For exterior painting, it’s recommended that homeowners wait until their vinyl has aged between five and seven years before repainting the surface as this will prolong its service life overall.
If you’re planning on putting your home up for sale anytime soon, you’ll definitely want to consider repainting the exterior before listing it.
How to choose a brand of vinyl siding for your home?
With so many different brands and styles of vinyl siding available on today’s market it can be difficult to know which one is best for your house!
One of the first questions you may have is whether to choose steel or fiberglass siding boards, as these are two very different options that each offer many benefits and drawbacks that homeowners should be aware of before deciding what type they want for their home.
Fiberglass Siding Boards: Made out of molded glass fibers which makes it a strong, lightweight material that’s much easier to handle than steel.
Fiberglass siding boards are also fade and dent resistant so they look great for many years without needing any maintenance!
Steel Siding Boards: Made out of heavy gauge galvanized steel which makes it much stronger than fiberglass materials but at the cost of added weight and difficulty of installation.
How do you choose between steel and fiberglass siding boards?
The choice is up to each individual homeowner as it really depends on what they’re looking for.
Fiberglass materials are a great option if you need something lighter and easier to handle, but steel ones offer more strength and durability so the decision will depend on your specific needs.
The next thing to consider is whether or not you want insulated exterior cladding materials, which are common on today’s market.
Insulated siding boards will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer than standard vinyl siding material would so they’re a great choice for homeowners who live somewhere that experiences harsh weather conditions throughout much of the year.
If you don’t need insulation in your exterior cladding materials then it’s much easier to make a decision because there are only two things left to consider: color and style!
Different brands offer different styles of vinyl siding boards, so you’ll want to see what each has available that would work well with your home before making a purchase.
When it comes to color you’ll want to make sure your siding boards match the material of your home’s exterior walls, as well as the roofing and trim materials if they are different colors than what is already on your house.
This may seem like an obvious thing but there have been many homeowners who’ve made this mistake and were unhappy with the result!
Why should you always hire a professional installer to install your new exterior siding?
There are many benefits to hiring a professional installer instead of attempting to do it yourself, which is why most homeowners choose this route.
The biggest benefit you’ll see with professional installation is the quality of work they provide – DIY installations often look messy and poorly done while professionals create clean lines that make your home’s exterior look great!
Another benefit of hiring a professional installer is the warranty that many vinyl siding companies offer.
Most will give you an installation warranty in addition to their product’s regular warranty which can help save money if something goes wrong with your new exterior cladding materials!
If any problems pop up later it’ll be much easier for them to handle because you’ll be dealing with professionals who know exactly how to fix the issue and will get it done quickly!
How much does professional installation cost?
We’re often asked this question! Depending on where you live, skilled labor costs can vary drastically so it’s impossible for us to give an exact price.
You may find that hiring a professional installer is more expensive than what you’d pay if you did it yourself, but we recommend this route because of the benefits mentioned above.
If budget is a concern and hiring a professional isn’t possible then we definitely recommend doing as much as you can on your own – just be aware that there will most likely end up being problems with your installation unless you’re a skilled worker.
What factors do homeowners consider when choosing the best vinyl siding brands?
We all have different reasons for installing exterior cladding materials on our homes, so it’s important that you weigh each factor carefully and pick the material that works best for your specific situation!
The first thing most homeowners look at is price – everyone wants the best value for their money, which is why we created our list of the best vinyl siding brands based on cost-effectiveness!
Another thing homeowners take into consideration when choosing exterior cladding materials is color.
We all love to make small changes around our homes that help us feel like everything has a fresh new look, and changing your home’s exterior appearance is a great way to do this!
Many homes look better with different colors on the exterior, so make sure you take your home’s style into consideration when looking at new cladding materials.
The durability of these products also plays an important role in choosing vinyl siding – homeowners want their home protected for as long as possible and they’ll often choose a material that has been tested for durability and can stand up to the elements.
The last thing many homeowners look at is how long it takes to install these products – you most likely want exterior siding that’s easy enough to install yourself without having to pay an expensive professional, so we’ve included only those materials on our list that homeowners can install themselves!
We hope this blog post has helped you understand the different vinyl siding brands and how to choose which is best for your home.