While you might not be too thrilled about having to pay for new siding, it's still exciting to think about giving your home a new look. Choosing your new siding is something to think about carefully because new siding lasts a long time and you'll have to look at it every day. Here are some questions you may want to ask your siding contractor.
1. What Is the Most Affordable Siding?
It's good to ask your siding contractor this question so you understand the current market. Prices can fluctuate depending on the availability of wood and metal. Generally, vinyl is the most affordable siding followed by metal, wood, fiber cement, brick, and then stucco. When considering cost of the siding, you may also want to consider longevity, durability, and maintenance requirements to determine the long-term cost of each type of siding.
2. What Is the Best Siding for Your Climate?
Different types of siding perform differently in different climates. When the temperatures are very cold, cracking can be a problem. In those locations, metal siding might be a good choice. In hot and humid climates, fiber cement might be a good choice. That doesn't mean other types of siding won't work, but you'll want to know the pros and cons of each type of siding for your climate. This way you can know what to expect during temperature extremes.
3. Should You Get New Siding Before Selling Your House?
You may want to talk to a real estate professional as well as your siding contractor about whether you should put new siding on before selling your home. New siding could be a selling point, especially if it gives your home improved curb appeal. It might even be possible to put new siding on part of your house so you save money. However, mismatching color is usually a problem when putting new siding next to old siding that has faded in the sun.
4. What Siding Needs the Least Maintenance?
Most types of siding require little care. The amount of care they need depends on how durable the material is and whether it ever has to be painted. Vinyl is a good option if you don't want to do much maintenance over the years. You have to wash it to keep it in good shape and keep up with cracks and holes. Vinyl never needs to be painted. Most other types of common siding need to be painted occasionally, but metal and fiber cement are both very durable, so repair requirements should be low.
If you are interested in getting new siding for your home, contact a siding contractor near you.
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