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The next time you walk outside, take a moment to gaze up at your roof. What do you see? Do you see even shingles that are all laying flat? Or do you see shingles that are starting to curl and that are covered in moss? You can tell a lot about the condition of your roof just by looking at it. If you are at all concerned about the state of your roof, then your first call should be to a roofing contractor. They can evaluate the situation and recommend repairs or replacement as needed. Learn more about roofing and roofing contractors here on this website.

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Up on the Rooftop

Siding: Is Vinyl Better Than Wood?

Lori Silva

One of the first steps of a new siding installation is choosing the material. Often, the decision comes down between vinyl and wood. Modern vinyl siding looks almost identical to wood, and it can come in nearly any color you desire. The following a few more reasons why vinyl may be a better option than wood for your home.

Fade Resistance 

The paint on wood siding fades and wears off over time. Often, the fading doesn't occur equally, so walls with more sun exposure quickly become lighter than those in the shade. Even worse than fading is when weathering causes the paint to flake or peel off, revealing the untreated wood below. Quality vinyl siding doesn't typically fade because the vinyl is actually impregnated with the color, it's not just sitting on the surface.

Maintenance Level

One of the biggest reasons for switching to vinyl siding is the maintenance — there is almost none required. Wood siding requires repainting every few years; otherwise, the siding looks shabby and the chances for damage increase as the paint wears and reveals bare wood. Vinyl requires periodic cleaning at most. Usually, all that entails is rinsing pollen and dust off with a hose. A pressure washer or a scrub with a deck brush may be necessary if algae or mold grows on the siding, but this is typically only a problem in damp, shaded areas.

Insulation Options

One benefit of vinyl that is often overlooked is that there are more insulation options with this material when compared to wood. Vinyl siding can be used in conjunction with foam insulation, which will make your home more energy efficient. There are even insulated vinyl siding panel options available, although these cost more than the standard foam and vinyl insulation combination. The main benefit of the extra insulation is that your home will stay warmer in winter and cooler in summer, which can help reduce your home's heating and cooling costs year around.

Damage Prevention

Wood siding is most likely to be damaged from rot, which happens when moisture gets into the wood. Insects, such as termites and carpenter ants, as well as animals like woodpeckers, can also damage wood siding. Vinyl is resistant to these types of damages, although vinyl can crack if it suffers blunt force, or it can warp if it is exposed to extreme heat (such as from a grill). Over all, though, vinyl is less prone to damages because most cracks and warp issues can be avoided.

Contact a siding installation service for more help in choosing the right material for your home.


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