Is it time to give your home an exterior makeover? New siding can breathe life into an aging home, help address aging, or give it an entirely new aesthetic. However, choosing the right siding for your home makeover might not be as simple as you think. Use the tips below to make an informed decision that you’re sure to love.
1. Know your budget.
The most important thing when replacing your home’s siding is to know your budget. You have many siding options, and all of them will represent an investment. However, some are more costly than others. For instance, vinyl is relatively affordable, but fiber cement siding is more expensive (although it lasts much longer).
2. What’s your style?
What sort of style are you looking for? While vinyl, fiber cement, and composite siding all give you the traditional look of old-style wood plank siding, they’re not the same. Choose one that offers the style, texture, and color options that you want. Note that some siding (fiber cement, in particular) will need to be primed and painted and will need to be repainted over time.
3. How much maintenance do you want to do?
Vinyl and composite siding are very low maintenance because they come already colored and the color is infused into the material itself. That means you probably won’t need to worry about repainting down the road. Note that some low-end vinyl will fade with prolonged exposure to UV light, so there may be some maintenance required. Wood siding, whether you choose planks, shakes, or shingles, will have much more maintenance.
4. Consider your home’s architecture.
It’s also important to choose a siding style that matches your home’s architecture. For instance, Cape Cod-style homes look better with shingle-style siding, while contemporary homes usually benefit from horizontal plank-style siding. Colonial homes also use horizontal planks, while Victorian homes can use a combination of horizontal and vertical siding.
5. Think about your roof.
Finally, consider the color of your roof. Most of the time, you’ll want to create a contrast between siding and roofing color, although coordinating colors can also work. If your roof is dark colored, choose a lighter colored siding. If your roof is lighter, darker siding can create the desired contrast.
Unsure about the type of siding to choose for your makeover? Work with Rusco Windows and Doors to find the right style and color.