Choosing Exterior Siding In MA: Factors To Consider
The type of siding you choose for your home has a huge impact on its aesthetics and overall value. When it comes to making your pick, it is important that you choose a material that is suitable for the weather conditions in your area. As Massachusetts has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold snowy winters, you need to choose a siding that not only repels moisture, but is also flexible enough to expand and contract with temperature changes. To help you select the right siding for your home in New England, here are some important considerations.
Wood Vs. Vinyl
Wood
Wood siding has an edge over vinyl siding due to its durability and higher R-value than most of the siding materials available on the market. Unlike other siding choices, wood siding repair can be easily performed by just replacing the damaged area. The lightweight property of the wood makes wood siding installation a faster and easier process than others, resulting in reduced overall labor cost and time. Wood siding, however, requires frequent cleaning and repainting.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding is one of the most cost-effective sidings which makes it ideal for budget-conscious homeowners. Although vinyl sidings come in hundreds of color choices and require minimal maintenance, they do not have insulation value, and therefore, may require external backing for insulation. In addition, vinyl siding are relatively difficult to repair and can’t withstand heavy winds of coastal regions.
Insulation
The type of siding used in the northeast region of the US should offer some form of insulation for the building. As the coastal climate of the northeast can affect the required R-value of a home, vinyl and wood insulation can easily encapsulate foam board insulation or contain insulation in the material to raise the common R-value in walls. When selecting siding, it is important to take into account the insulation value of the material you are going to use.
Environmental Factors
Maintaining the exteriors of homes located close to a coastline is more challenging compared to homes located in inland areas. The presence of salt and moisture in the air near coastal areas can result in erosion of siding, especially in the absence of proper maintenance. Sidings that prevent moisture infiltration and are thick enough to withstand hurricane or gale force wind events that are common in coastal areas are feasible for coastal northeastern homes.
Conclusion
All in all, the type of siding material you choose depends on the architecture of your property and climatic conditions in the area. As far as the choice are concerned, both wood and vinyl sidings have an edge over one another, which makes them ideal for different properties. If you are still confused about which siding to choose, it is advisable to consult a siding installation expert such as Jancon Exteriors. Should you wish to learn more or have any questions, free to contact one of our representatives for a no-obligation consultation.