siding showdown steel vs other siding materials

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PART 1: STEEL VS. ALUMINUM

When it comes to metal siding, steel and aluminum are common options. It’s easy to lump together the two because they’re from the same material family but a closer inspection will reveal that steel is definitely different from aluminum. But how different exactly? Taking into consideration some points reveal just how much.

WATER RESISTANCE

Water and metal don’t generally mix but between the two metal siding materials, aluminum has better natural resistance to moisture. However, this doesn’t mean steel can’t perform well where water or moisture are involved. As siding material, steel has been developed to withstand a number of weather conditions, including rain and snow. Water protection for steel siding comes in the form of galvanization (which prevents rusting) and the use of water-resistant coating. With these, steel is able to offer comparable water resistance as aluminum.

DURABILITY

Essentially, metal is durable. It is safe to assume then that the two will last but steel has a definite edge over aluminum. This is because, at similar thicknesses, steel can withstand scratches and impacts that would normally damage aluminum. If you live in a hail-prone area especially, opting for steel is a wise choice as it will be able to deal with dents better than aluminum.

PART 1: STEEL VS. ALUMINUM

WEIGHT

Steel is heavier than aluminum and this presents both pros and cons. Heft is a benefit because it gives steel the ability to withstand strong winds better than aluminum when extreme weather strikes. However, because aluminum is lighter, it may be easier to install than steel.

STYLE

Both steel and aluminum siding are stylish, offering a range of colors, textures and finishes to complement any home perfectly. Properly pre-painted and maintained, they can retain color for up to 15 years, letting you do away with frequent repainting to maintain the appearance of metal siding on your home. Of course, you can choose to change colors sooner. Just make sure to use the right paint for the job.

PART 2: STEEL VS. VINYL

Vinyl is one of the more popular options for siding today as it is easy to install, affordable and stylish. What can steel offer as a siding material compared to vinyl?

TEMPERATURE

Outside temperatures changes are largely unpredictable, but they mostly involve a constant shift between hot and cold. This constant shift causes expansions and contractions in materials but how much occurs depends on the material. Both vinyl and steel will contract and expand as temperatures change but vinyl has a tendency to warp or blister over time. Steel, on the other hand, is able to retain its shape and appearance despite expanding and contracting, making it an ideal siding option now that the weather is highly erratic.

COLOR OPTIONS

Both vinyl and steel offer a range of color options to address whatever preference you might have. Color options are also factory-applied for both, taking away the need for a separate painting job once siding is installed. The problem with vinyl is that it cannot be repainted once it fades. If a siding panel loses its color, it will have to be replaced to maintain your home’s appearance. This is not the case for steel. The siding material can be repainted so not only will retouches be a breeze but you can also change the color of your siding as often as you want.

PART 2: STEEL VS. VINYL

FIRE RESISTANCE

Fire is one of the biggest threats to your home. Whether the threat comes from a property beside yours or you live in an area prone to wildfires, steel siding can protect your home better than vinyl siding can because it can resist fire. Vinyl, on the other hand, will melt and even burn under very high temperatures.

COST VS. VALUE

Vinyl may be more affordable to install than steel as a siding material but the latter offers more value on the overall given its many benefits. Getting steel siding may be more costly upfront but you can expect it to last basically through anything, with minimal maintenance work, so you make the most of what you spend.

PART 3: STEEL VS. FIBER CEMENT

Fiber cement combines the strengths of wood and concrete and does away with either material’s weak points. Has steel siding finally met its match? Both materials are excellent options, but there are some instances when steel outshines fiber cement.

RIGIDITY

You might be wondering about how a material’s stiffness gives it an edge over other options. Steel is more rigid than fiber cement, meaning steel siding panels will lay flatter against your home’s exteriors. A flatter, more uniform fit not only looks better, but also helps minimize seams where water can pass through and cause moisture-related problems for your home.

EASE OF MAINTENANCE

Both steel and fiber cement siding require very low maintenance. Most of the time, caring for the siding materials usually involves nothing more than a thorough cleaning once a year, plus some minor retouches with paint, if needed. Steel siding does have a bit of a leg up over fiber cement siding when it comes to repairs though. When steel siding is damaged, highly visible dents may be remedied with a little hammering to get the siding back into shape. On the other hand, if fiber cement siding is damaged, it will have to be replaced.

PART 3: STEEL VS. FIBER CEMENT

COST

Fiber cement is one of the more expensive siding materials available today. There are more affordable siding materials than steel but compared to it, you’d have to pay almost double for fiber cement. Steel offers better value then as it is more affordable than fiber cement and yet offers comparable, if not better, benefits as a siding material.

INSTALLATION

Fiber cement is heavy, making installation more difficult as the siding material would need specific tools and techniques to put up. Retrofits involving fiber cement will also require the complete tear-off of old siding, adding a day or two to the total project time and to the cost as well. Steel siding, on the other hand, may be installed over other siding material, simplifying the installation process.

Jones & Associates

3801 Globe Ave. Lubbock ,TX 79404

806-686-1380(800) 658-2060

TheJonesBoys.com