Northeast Gutters and Remodeling

Just like making decisions for your interiors, kitchen cabinetry or residential roofing, choosing your desired siding material is something that must be carefully considered before commencing any project. Remember that there are a variety of factors you must need to think about, such as an item’s durability, design, cost and even maintenance. To help you with this process, here are some tips.

What Is Siding?

Siding is a home feature known to cover the frame of your home. It provides protection from different elements whilst boosting your home’s aesthetic appeal and functionality. Similar to any other home improvement project, there are things one must take note of to ensure the success of its placement and to make your property stand out – in a good way – from your neighbors. For example, you’ll need to choose between horizontal and vertical siding. 

Horizontal Siding

Most U.S. households have horizontal siding exteriors for various reasons. Experts suggest that apart from its familiarity among contractors and homeowners, getting horizontal siding offers a more traditional look that never goes out of style. Moreover, it is the least expensive option among the two options, making it an ideal choice for people who want to replace their current siding on a budget.

This type is also easy to install, allowing the project to be done in about half the time it takes for a vertical siding installation project. However, although most contractors are likely to recommend horizontal siding, it still has its drawbacks. As rainwater rolls down the siding surface, it can seep in between the panel gaps. Hence, there is still a significant likelihood of water damage that leads to the growth of mold and mildew.

Vertical Siding

This is commonly used as an accent or decorative feature for certain areas of the home’s exterior. Vertical siding can create a unique exterior. It is also much easier to clean than its counterpart, allowing you to save time, effort and money for potentially costly repairs.

While horizontal siding has its downfalls, vertical siding also has its disadvantages. It is considered to be time-consuming and expensive to install because of the need to place furring strips first to guarantee the proper alignment of each panel.

Fortunately, unlike horizontal siding, it is not susceptible to water damage because rainwater runs off it, allowing the cleaning to be as smooth as possible. Also, the watertight properties of vertical siding are increased even more if you opt for board and batten style panels because the filler strips cover any seams in your vertical siding.

Overall Aesthetic Appeal

Sometimes, all it takes to make a decision between the two types of siding is to consider their appearance. We have outlined the differences between the two as a guide.

• One of the top reasons to choose vertical siding panels over the more common horizontal orientation is because it creates a formal and conventional look, and is appealing in neighborhoods with traditional-style homes. Most exterior components, including asphalt shingle and wood shake roofing, are installed in this setup.

• Vertical siding, on the other hand, creates an unconventional and contemporary look that works with most home styles. While it can be exhilarating to stand out from the crowd, some homeowners prefer to blend in with their surroundings – and there’s absolutely nothing wrong with tradition.

Ease of Installation

Most siding contractors are familiar with horizontal siding, which means you shouldn’t find much trouble in hiring someone who can complete installation with no problems. Not all contractors offer vertical siding, and searching among siding and roofing companies who offer it – and are trained to install it – can take some time and effort. However, if you are after the look that only vertical siding can provide, you will consider the effort worth it.

Durability

While both horizontal and vertical siding is designed to withstand years of wear, the latter has some superiority over its more common counterpart. Moisture infiltration from rainfall is less likely to happen on vertical siding because there are fewer seams per square foot. Also, its orientation facilitates downward flow.

Above all, depending on the craftsmanship of your siding professional and the materials used for your home’s exterior, both horizontal and vertical siding panels can be durable. Fiber cement and metal are among the most durable and will stand the test of time.

Maintenance

Regular maintenance is essential for any type of siding, but it will vary according to the materials used for your exterior. Vinyl siding strips require the least maintenance because they do not require painting or frequent replacing, and they have a fairly straightforward cleaning process. Wood, on the other hand, will warp over time and requires careful and regular care in order to maintain the look and function of your siding panels.

As far as cleaning is concerned, horizontal panels have a larger potential for water leakage during cleaning and, therefore, require a more complex cleaning regimen. Vertical siding panels can be cleaned easily with a power washer and household cleaners without the worry of leakage. The watertight properties of vertical siding are increased even more if you opt for board and batten style panels because the filler strips cover any seams in your vertical siding.

Cost

There are many aspects that influence siding replacement costs. The choice of the material significantly affects the final quote. Most homeowners may choose vinyl siding because it’s more affordable, but not all manufacturers offer vertical siding as an option.

Because vertical siding installation requires more skill, labor costs will also be significantly more expensive. When weighing your options, make sure you also consider the siding lifetime cost. Generally, siding with long lifespans and low maintenance requirements will ultimately cost less over its lifetime.

Since 2004, Northeast Gutters and Remodeling has worked with thousands of residential and commercial clients for interior and exterior upgrades. From roofing and gutters to siding installation and painting, we can handle any upcoming project that you need done. Our team also offers snow and ice removal, preventing structural damage to your system. Give us a call at (860) 899-7878, or contact us here.