Your home’s curb appeal is a big factor in its value, and siding is a major part of curb appeal. Siding that’s warped or poorly fastened will make a house look ramshackle and forlorn, regardless of how well maintained the interior might be. If you need new siding or siding repair, contact a professional Northern Virginia siding contractor.
Siding Options
There are a variety of siding options to choose from, which means you can easily find a material that complements your home and your budget.
Wood siding
Wood siding is an attractive option that comes in clapboard style as well as shingles and shakes. Clapboard siding is horizontally placed planks of wood, with upper pieces overlapping lower pieces. Wood shingles and shakes are similar to each other, although shingles are more uniform and thinner than shakes. Shakes and shingles can be cut into different shapes to create unique siding looks.
This siding material, while attractive and durable, can be costly and requires maintenance. Wood siding needs to be refinished or repainted every two to five years. Wood shakes and shingles require occasional cleaning. However, with proper care, wood siding can last decades.
Engineered wood siding is a less expensive and lower maintenance alternative to traditional wood siding. It’s composed of wood and resin and is treated for protection against rot and termites.
Vinyl siding
This siding material is very popular, as it is inexpensive and requires little maintenance. It comes in a range of textures, styles, and colors. The color in modern vinyl siding lasts longer than a traditional paint job (although if it is fading or you just don’t like the color, vinyl siding can sometimes be painted).
Vinyl siding can crack, particularly if subjected to cold temperatures. Cracked or damaged sections must be replaced or repaired to avoid further damage to your home. Proper installation is key to preventing warping and buckling.
Metal siding
Metal siding comes in either aluminum or steel. Aluminum siding is lightweight, easy to install, and does not rust. However, it is easily dented. Steel siding is more durable than aluminum, but it is susceptible to rust. Coatings that prevent rust on steel siding are available, but some rust is inevitable.
Both materials can be recycled and are partially made of recycled material, which makes them an environmentally friendly option. Metal siding is available in vertical and horizontal patterns, and it resists fire and insect damage.
Stone siding
There are five main types of stone siding:
- Solid stone is one of the oldest types of siding around. Solid stone siding, one of the more expensive options, is heavy and more difficult to install than other types of siding.
- Manufactured stone, also called cultured stone, is cement molded to look like real stone. Since it is relatively lightweight and can be mass produced, this is a more affordable option than solid stone.
- Faux stone, also known as foam panel siding, is made of polyurethane. This material comes in panels, making installation pretty simple.
- Natural stone cladding is cut from big slabs of stone. The front surface of natural stone cladding is textured like natural stone, and the back surface is flat for easier installation.
- Stone veneer panel siding is made of real stone with a synthetic backing. It comes in a panel system, making installation a breeze.
Brick siding
Brick is a classic siding material used on a wide range of home styles, including colonial revival and neocolonial style homes. While it’s rarely used as a structural material in most residential homes these days, brick still provides a beautiful look as exterior cladding.
In addition to being fire resistant and durable, brick is a good insulating material. It also reduces exterior noise. All these benefits come with a high price tag, though. Brick siding can be about twice as expensive to install as wood siding.
Fiber cement siding
Fiber cement siding is durable and low maintenance, and it can emulate a natural wood look. Made of cellulose fiber, sand, and cement, this material is termite resistant, fire resistant, and typically comes with a 30- to 50-year warranty.
Although the initial investment for fiber cement siding may be higher than for some other materials, fiber cement siding increases a home’s value more than materials such as vinyl.
Northern Virginia Siding Styles
Popular home styles in Northern Virginia include colonial revival, American foursquare, bungalow, rambler, and neocolonial. Each of these homes has a distinct style that traditionally includes either brick, clapboard, shingles, or a combination of these materials.
When choosing a siding style, you might want to take into consideration the current appearance of your house and other homes similar to yours. Updating siding has the ability to restore a historic home to its original beauty or modernize an older home.
Siding Repair
If your siding is in need of repairs, contact a Best Pick siding company as soon as you can to keep moisture from further damaging the underlying sheathing and framing. Siding damage comes in many forms, and you’ll need to think about repairs or replacement when your siding displays the following symptoms:
- Rotting
- Splitting or cracking
- Warping
- Loosening planks
- Peeling
Also, if you notice that your siding has any gaps between joints—where two pieces of clapboard join together—having them resealed by a professional will keep moisture from ruining the protective elements underneath your siding.
Making the Best Siding Choice
Getting a siding consultation
If you have questions about what type of siding is right for you, reputable siding installation companies are available for consultations and can provide answers on which option best fits your budget and your home’s architectural style.
A siding professional will walk through the different features of each type of siding as well as the different brands such as James Hardie and CertainTeed. Expect to discuss the durability, maintenance, and warranty of the options that interest you.
Siding questions to consider
Re-siding your house is a significant investment, so you want to make the right decisions the first time. Asking yourself the following questions will help you narrow your choices:
- How much maintenance are you prepared to take on?
- Do you want the option to repaint the siding in the future?
- How important is a green, eco-friendly product to you?
- How long do you plan to stay in your home?
Hiring a Northern Virginia Siding Professional
After conducting thousands of surveys in the Northern Virginia area, Best Pick Reports has found the best professional siding contractors in your neighborhood. These homeowner surveys give us a complete picture of the most competent, timely, and experienced siding companies in the Northern Virginia area, and we are proud to present that information to homeowners in an easy-to-consult format.
Our objective research is conducted annually, and it is our guarantee that we are confident that the companies we present to you are the best of the best. You can trust that the siding companies recommended above will provide top-quality service while increasing the curb appeal of your home.
