How to Select the Right Home Exterior Siding

Taking care of the exterior of the home is pertinent.   If you’re choosing siding for your home, and don’t know which type to choose, this guide dealing with home exterior siding, and how to select the right one, can come in handy.

Update the exterior trim to you house when your house’s siding wears out. Trim treatments should match the exterior siding in style and functionality.

Siding made of wood shingles

Depending on the type of wood siding you choose, you can install it over preexisting siding. It is, however, usually a better idea to remove the existing siding prior to installing new ones. To improve your home’s resiliency to air infiltration and dampness damage, make sure to repair any cracked stucco trim around windows and doors. Furthermore, you may want to install new house wrap before installing new siding to prevent further air infiltration and moisture damage.

Ensure your siding is in proper condition by inspecting it periodically for breaks or damage  . The type of finish you use affects how often you should refinish wood.

Siding made of Vinyl

Vinyl siding is probably one of the most popular siding materials, however, we are not big fans of vinyl siding in most cases. It’s less than ideal from a building resource perspective.  The numerous flaws associated with Vinyl siding also affects the value of your home.

Vinyl cracks due to its expansion and contraction with temperature. Invisible cracks appear on vinyl siding. As the walls decay, the siding falls off the house making it less then ideal to be used.

Siding made of Engineered Wood

A vast range of engineered wood siding products are available, including plywood and composite wood.  Due to the rainy weather in Seattle, these products must be installed correctly.

Poor installation is more likely to cause engineered siding issues than manufacturing defects.

It is common for concrete slabs to be too low to effectively protect siding from sprinklers, which leads to siding to being installed too close to the surface. Leaks can also occur when flashing is improperly installed. This siding should therefore be installed by a professional.

Siding made of Stone Veneer

Stone veneer is a very effective way to add the appearance of stone to your home and it is simpler than you think to install. This siding installation gives concrete foundation walls a stylish update. In addition to this, stone veneer commonly coat driveway columns, fireplace enclosures, and inside walls of homes.

Portland cement, aggregates, and pigments are the ingredients in stone veneer. When baked, textured molds simulate natural stone. It is easy to apply stone veneers to concrete. Apply a moisture barrier to the sheathing of metal-lathed walls before applying one to wood-framed walls. After installation, very limited care is necessary if any cracks in the grout between the stones are filled.

Siding made of Cement Fiber

Wet climates may benefit from cement fiber siding. In addition to being rot- and bug-proof, the material accepts paint very well and is resistant to fire.

Due to its recyclable nature, it’s also low-maintenance and resource-efficient.

Almost impossible to distinguish from wood siding, fiber cement replicates the appearance and grain of wood. Your home will typically have a higher sale value with this product.

It is our hope that you find the information above useful when considering replacing or installing home exterior sidings as well as selecting the right one for you.

As to our recommendation, Legacy Team Construction, Inc. recommends wood and fiber cement sidings as the most appropriate choices because they are affordable, long-lasting, and appropriate for our climate. To learn more about any of the above siding options, contact Legacy Team Construction in Seattle, Washington at 1 (425) 310.1545