Pros & Cons of Replacement Exterior Siding Products for Your Home

BUSTAMANTE STAFF • August 10, 2022

Balancing Appearance with Cost & Durability Is Important

When choosing new siding for your home, it's important to remember that beauty is more than skin deep. Your siding needs to protect your home from the weather, while at the same time controlling moisture from coming through. It’s important to accomplish both of these tasks with style, as your choice of siding is often the first thing people see when they come to your home.

Tips For Choosing the Best Replacement Exterior Cladding

To determine which type of siding best suits your home, you need to know which options are available. That way, you can assess several types of siding materials, weigh the pros and cons of each option, and select the siding that takes your house’s exterior to the next level. No siding is maintenance free, but the below materials have long service lives with moderate maintenance required. 

Vinyl Siding 

Vinyl is the most common material in the US for residential siding, for several reasons. Being low cost, very versatile, and low maintenance is hard to beat.

Pros of Vinyl Siding:

  • Easy to install
  • Versatile design & styles options
  • Highly weather resistant - fades evenly 
  • Insect & mold resistant
  • Countless color options

Cons of Vinyl Siding:

  • Noticeable seams 
  • May appear too “plastic like”
  • Eventually, color fades
  • Concentrated high heat near material can cause melting 

 Maintenance & Durability: 

  • Relatively low maintenance – commonly cleaned with soap & water
  • Expected lifespan of vinyl siding is at least 40 years

Fiber Cement Siding 

Fiber cement siding board was developed by James Hardie Industries over a century ago. Fiber cement can be found with a variety of siding styles, even to look like wood.

Pros of Fiber Cement Siding:

  • Versatile design & style options
  • Non-Flammable – resistant to fire
  • Insect & mold resistant
  • Plentiful color options

 Cons of Fiber Cement Siding: 

  • Expert installation suggested - labor-intensive process 
  • Heavy material – not for DIY
  • More expensive than vinyl 
  • Dusty installation during production
  • Requires caulking and painting

 Maintenance & Durability: 

  • Extensive manufacturer warranty 
  • Repainting needed every 10-15 years
  • Expected Lifespan 40 years or more 

Cellular PVC Siding 

Cellular PVC siding features a high-density, high-definition wood grain texture with subtle shadowing that brings the beauty of natural painted wood to a home’s exterior. It is durable, lightweight and requires minimal maintenance. 

Pros of Cellular PVC Siding:

  • Available in various natural-look styles & colors
  • High curb appeal 
  • More durable than vinyl 
  • Insect & animal resistant

Cons Of Cellular PVC Siding:

  • Tedious to repair 
  • Expensive
  • Because it is somewhat new, its reliability is yet to be tested

 Maintenance & Durability: 

  • Requires minimal maintenance – clean with soap & water
  • Expected lifespan of cellular PVC siding is 40 years or more 

Preserve Building Performance with Building Envelope Consultant Services

New siding can be beneficial, regardless of your home’s size, age, or condition. There is no one-size-fits-all siding that works best for all homeowners at all times. The best siding for your home will depend on your specific home, budget, desired appearance, and other factors. A qualified building envelope consultant provides their knowledge, experience, and understanding, as well as proper design and construction practices as related to the envelope system of your home.


BUSTAMANTE ENGINEERS INC provides expert professional assistance by offering clear and accurate structural inspection services and specializes in thestructural design of all elements of the building envelope.  Click to contact us online or call 215-340-6990 and let us discuss how our Building Envelope Consultation Services may be of assistance to you today!

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