Historically speaking, wood has been considered a highly available and reliable building material – in terms of siding. Today, homeowners and contractors have higher standards when it comes to preferred siding materials. Siding that is composed of wood is now being phased out because it has been found that it is not durable or reliable.
Now, homeowners and contractors are leaning towards stronger, more durable siding options – such as vinyl. While it is true that wood was once considered to be adequate it is no longer considered to be a siding options that is worthy of being purchased and installed on homes.
In this guide, you will learn 4 reasons why you should avoid putting wood siding on your home.
- Expense
Wood siding is considered to be highly expensive. In addition to this, those that are concerned over the environment are no longer leaning towards wood due to the rising popularity of green designs in the construction industry. Wood is a porous material that will absorb moisture, over time, and as a result, it must be protected and properly maintained in order to prevent mold, rotting, and warping. Wood siding is also considered to be highly flammable – which could result in the structure it is on to being more susceptible to catching fire. Due to this, having wood siding on the home could result in an increase in the amount that is paid for home insurance.
- Regular Repairs and Maintenance
Wood is not as durable of a material as other types of materials that are used as siding on homes. It has been estimated that every four to ten years, the wood siding needs to be resealed and painted or stained. This is done to maintain its overall integrity and durability. Also, wood siding has to be cleaned at least once a year.
If cracks or holes develop, they have to be repaired immediately or else mold may develop and the structural integrity of the home may be compromised. The regular repairs and maintenance of wood siding that is required is a lot and is very time consuming and expensive.
- Lack of Protection from Elements
Generally speaking, wood siding is not good at providing ample protection from the elements – such as the weather and pests. It has been found that even fluctuations in the temperatures outside could cause warping, cracking, and other issues with wood siding. If there is too much moisture or extreme fluctuations in heat and/or cold, the wood could swell, expand, and contract – all of this could cause gaps to form in between the boards and around the doors and the windows.
The wood siding is also vulnerable to certain types of pests – such as termites, ants, and carpenter bees. This lack of protection against the elements will often result in costly repairs, inspections, and pest control services.
- Lack of Durability
Once, wood was considered to be a highly durable building material, but now that its weaknesses have been discovered, it is not considered to be durable. If you want to go with a siding that is highly durable, you should consider vinyl siding. This type o f siding requires minimal maintenance and has been found to last for many, many years.
Vinyl Siding
As you can see from the information contained in this guide, wood is not a sound investment – as far as siding is concerned. Vinyl siding is the optimal choice. Not only is it popular and widely affordable, it is one of the most durable siding options as it may last up to four decades.
In addition to this, you do not have to do a lot of maintenance when it comes to vinyl siding. All that is required is pressure washing at least once a year. If you have an interest in vinyl siding for your home, contact us here at Southern Industries Home Improvements today by calling us at (833) 240-4900