The siding that you use on your home plays an important role in making your home the safe and comfortable place that you want it to be – it is an important component that can make or break the overall appearance of your home and it is also essential for protecting your home against the elements. The double role fulfilled by home siding means that when you choose your panels, you need to pick not only products that enhance the curb appeal of your home, but also siding that is able to withstand the climate that dominates your area and to protect your building against the harmful effects of moisture and the costly effects of improper thermal protection as well. In the case of siding chosen for Illinois homes, the most important weather-related aspects to take into consideration are high humidity, strong winds, frequent storms and extreme temperatures, so here are the siding materials that can hold up to all these vicissitudes.
Vinyl
This common, lightweight and affordable material is very durable and very versatile as well. The siding panels made from vinyl can stand up to heavy rain, to extreme heat, to freezing temperatures and to winds and storms as well. Being a synthetic material, vinyl is not sensitive to pest infestations, it does not absorb moisture and it does not catch fire either. Vinyl panels are very easy to install and require very little maintenance.
Metal Siding
Another very popular option, metal siding panels are durable, affordable and they come in many great colors, some even made to replicate the hues and veins of natural wood. The most common metals used for making siding panels are steel and aluminum, both warranted for 50+ years without requiring extensive care and maintenance. Metal siding is the preferred choice of many homeowners also because it is lightweight and it can be installed in DIY fashion.
Fiber-Cement Siding
Fiber-cement is a mixture of cement, clay, sand and wood fibers – all strong, durable materials that make an even more durable combination when they get used in siding panels. Fiber-cement is also resistant to moisture, to changing temperatures, to pest attacks and to fire as well, what’s more, the manufacturing procedure that shapes the siding panels from liquid material makes it possible to create textures that resemble wood, stucco or masonry. Fiber-cement siding panels can be easily repainted whenever you feel like changing the overall color theme of your home.
When it comes to installation, you must know that fiber-cement sheets are quite heavy and the process of mounting them requires special tools as well, so cement siding cannot be installed in DIY fashion and hiring a professional for the job will increase the overall costs of your siding.
Final Thoughts
All the above types of siding are suitable for Illinois homes, but if you still don’t know which one to choose, you can turn to a local Barrington roofing contractor for consultation. The roofer will listen to your expectations and your possibilities, he will inspect the building on which the siding will be installed to determine how strong it is and he will outline the best options for you.