How to Use Siding to Improve The Appearance of Your Home

Choosing the right siding can dramatically improve the appearance of your home. When it comes tochoosing a siding for new construction, complete home remodeling, a simple home improvementproject or a siding repair project, it's important to choose a siding that gives your home the greatestcurb appeal. Fortunately there are a number of products and styles to choose from includingaluminum, wood, composite and vinyl siding. This article will provide you with several differentproducts to review and select from for your next remodeling project.

Things You Will NeedMeasuring tape, Calculator, Pad and pencil

Step 1Measure how many square feet you will need to purchase based on the area of your home thatyou want to cover with siding. Add and additional 20% to the amount. You will use this figure tocalculate the cost of each type of siding that you are interested in putting on your home. After all,there are always budget considerations that have to be taken into account.

Step 2Review design and architectural magazines to see how the different types of siding look ondifferent styles of homes. Then visit a home center or supplier to see the actual products that youare most interested in. Make sure that you review the different levels of quality that eachmanufacturer has and the difference in the price of each.

Step 3

The next step is to pick the type of siding that best fits you tastes and budget. The following areseveral of the most popular types of siding used today:

Aluminum siding has been one of the most popular in postwar America.

Vinyl siding has become the siding ofchoice for both builders and those thatare remodeling. It has improved overthe years and now comes with realisticwood grains and deeper profiles. Its'advantages are that it never needspainting and it is impervious to rotting,peeling or chipping. Therefore it needsvery low maintenance.

Insulated vinyl is now available that isbacked with expanded polystyrenefoam for support and insulation value.Insulated vinyl is more impactresistant and can reduce outsidenoises by up to 50 percent as well as improve the R value of your outside walls. The only drawback isthat it does cost more than conventional vinyl siding.

One of the newest products on the market is liquid vinyl siding. This is a paint like coating systemmade from polymers and resins and dries to the thickness of a credit card. It will expand and contactas the temperature changes to allow the cladding behind it to breathe.

Another alternative is fiber-cement board siding. This siding is made of cement, sand, cellulosefibers and water. They are moisture and decay resistant and hold paint up to four times longer thanwood and they rarely peel or blister. However, they do cost between 10 and 50 percent more thanvinyl.

Wood clapboard and shakes are still available but cost more and require considerably moremaintenance. While considered upscale when compared to other types of siding, they are notrecommended in areas that are susceptible to wild fires.

Choosing the right siding can dramatically improve the appearance of your home and increase its'curb appeal and value.

Tips WarningsSiding is usually sold in squares the same as roofing shingles. A square is equal to 100square feet.