Home improvement resource HouseLogic reports that installing sustainable siding materials adds as much as $12,000 to your home’s value. But if that amount still isn’t enough of an incentive for you, consider too that “green” siding also leaves a smaller footprint on our planet. This benefits everybody – including future generations – over the long term.
To fully harness the advantages offered by sustainable siding materials, you need to take the following factors into consideration.
The production process. Siding materials are manufactured using various processes, and some are more taxing on the planet’s resources than others. A naturally-occurring siding material does not require artificial production, which allows for better resource management.
Post-lifespan disposal. It is important to remember that just because an element is natural does not automatically mean it’s a green product. How the material is disposed of once it reaches the end of its lifespan is also important. Some materials end up in landfills, while others can be recycled back into production.
Durability. The way a siding material performs over the course of its lifespan is also important to its overall sustainability. A material that fails quickly requires repairs or replacement, which impacts production and disposal. Exposure to weather elements should be considered, since siding is an exterior material that is always subjected to heat-cold cycles.
Maintenance. Upkeep is another critical factor. Some materials require routine repainting, while others can last for years and only need an occasional cleaning.
Energy performance. Lastly, how the material performs in terms of minimizing energy use and reducing your bills is vital. Cladding is intended to improve comfort inside a home, and this largely depends on how the material reacts to temperature changes. Some types of siding are more effective than others at handling heat, cold, moisture and other environmental factors, while some warp, fade, rust or corrode more easily. You can also find siding materials with added insulation.
So which siding options should you consider? We cover that in Part Two of this three-part series.
