Get to know the most common siding materials! When deciding which one is best for your home, you need to remember three key things: durability, maintenance, and beauty.
Fantastic Fiber Cement
- Durability = Excellent
- Maintenance = Easy
- Beauty = Outstanding
Fiber cement is fast becoming the preferred choice for siding material. Pioneered by James Hardie® sometime in the 80s, this impressive building product boasts strength like no other. It’s engineered to withstand the harshest climate, making it ideal for areas such as the Twin Cities. If you opt for this material, you won’t need frequent siding repair in St. Paul for a long time.
Fiber-cement products require minimal maintenance to keep it performing well for many years. On top of that, they also have a very sophisticated appearance. They often come in wood-grain textures that look great with many architectural styles. Plus, they can be infused with color during the manufacturing process so that they don’t need to be painted or stained ever again.
Wonder Wood
- Durability = Relatively Good
- Maintenance = Demanding
- Beauty = Classic
Perhaps the most traditional of all siding materials, wood lost significant popularity when many homeowners realized just how difficult it was to maintain. Cedar shakes, for example, contain resins and acids that make it difficult for paint or stain to stay on.
Wood also absorbs moisture, which ruins its looks over time. Unlike fiber cement, it warps, cracks, and rots very fast, providing little insulation and limited energy efficiency down the line. It has a natural, old-world beauty though, which is what draws many homeowners to it in the first place.
Amazing Aluminum
- Durability = Good
- Maintenance = Relatively Easy
- Beauty = Limited Design Opportunity
For a while, aluminum dethroned wood as the best siding material. Relatively undemanding upkeep and sufficient strength were two of its key selling points. What it obviously lacked though was the design flexibility that materials such as fiber cement possess. It has that cold, industrial look that could be difficult to style.
While some models feature a reflective surface that bounces back solar heat, some people still question aluminum’s energy efficiency. The truth? It does help with insulation somewhat, but not as well as other siding options. If you want to aid heating and cooling significantly, we suggest you opt for fiber cement. Among materials for siding in St. Paul, it has some of the best insulating properties.
Twin Cities Siding & Roofing is your premier local installer of excellent siding. You’ll love the quality of the material we offer! Give us a call at (651) 571-9557 today to schedule a free in-home consultation.
