The right siding can enhance your home’s curb appeal and possibly increase its value. The wrong siding can cause neighbors to question your taste or make your home more difficult to sell at the price you want. However, siding can also be more than a cosmetic treatment for your home’s exterior. It can help make your home’s interior more comfortable and potentially reduce your energy bills. Whether you are building a new home, replacing your siding or planning an addition, you would be wise to consider your options carefully before you invest in siding.
Austin Siding & Your Investment – Siding’s Primary Job Is to Protect Your Home
Siding plays a critical role in the impression that your home makes on visitors, neighbors and anyone else who walks or drives past. However, the primary function of exterior cladding is to protect the home’s structural integrity and interior components. Rotted, cracked or missing siding leaves your home open to insect damage as well as moisture penetration that can destroy your framing, floors and other structural elements as well as your furnishings. Before you sign a contract to replace your siding, however, you should consult a reputable contractor to determine whether repairs are feasible.
Determine the Amount of Maintenance You Are Prepared to Provide
No siding is truly 100-percent maintenance-free, but some types of siding require more maintenance than others. Wood siding, for example, requires a substantial amount of routine maintenance to prolong its life and keep it looking its best, including new paint or stain every five years or so and regular inspections for insect activity. Vinyl siding requires the least maintenance; normally, a periodic scrubbing to remove mold or mildew is all that is necessary.
Consider Whether You Will Sell Your Home Soon
If your home has been in your family for several generations and you plan to pass it on to your children, you can focus on pleasing yourself. However, if you plan to sell your home within the next few years, you might want to consider getting your siding in top condition. After considering down payments and closing costs, many buyers worry that they will not be able to afford expensive repairs, including new siding. As a result, you might have difficulty securing your asking price or even attracting serious buyers.
Use Siding to Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
Whether you are interested in reducing your utility bills or helping the global environment, you might want to consider using siding as a way to achieve a reduction in your carbon footprint. Siding can help block drafts that allow the interior air to be exchanged for the exterior air. This exchange forces your heating and cooling units to work harder and use more energy; greater energy demands force utility companies to generate more power. Some manufacturers have begun producing siding that already incorporates insulation to boost your home’s energy efficiency.
There Are Many Options Available
Modern homeowners have more options for siding than you might think. Siding materials include vinyl, wood, fiber-cement board and metal. However, in recent years, the style options have become much more varied. Styles that were once available only in wood siding, for example, can now be produced in various synthetic materials. Explore all of your options before committing to a particular type of siding.
Always Choose a Reputable Professional
Your contractor plays a critical role in your long-term satisfaction with your new siding. A reputable, experienced professional will guide you through the selection process, explaining the benefits and advantages of each possibility. He will help you select the combination of styles that will provide the greatest aesthetic impact for your architecture. Furthermore, he will ensure that the installation is performed properly and that you and your property are treated with respect.
If you are interested in learning more about siding, contact Alpha Roofing in Austin. We are an Austin roofing contractor with an award-winning company offering a variety of services, including siding installation, roof repairs, asphalt shingles, metal roofing systems, flashing work, skylight installation and chimney repairs. Our crews work only for us and have the skills and experience to deliver exceptional results at affordable prices. If you have more questions about Austin Siding & Your Investment or would like a free estimate, submit the online form or call (512) 777-1086.