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Everything You Need to Know About Vinyl vs. Wood Siding
The right siding makes a big difference. It’s not just the outermost layer of your Tri-Cities home – it’s a major part of its appearance, curb appeal, and energy efficiency all at the same time. It only makes sense to pick the ideal siding material for your next exterior home remodeling project.
As you look into siding types, you’ll come across several options. Vinyl siding and wood siding are two of the most popular picks, but which is best for your property? That’s what we’ll explore below. Contact our team online at Window World of the Tri-Cities with questions about the best siding option for your home.
Vinyl siding explained
Quality vinyl siding is made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC resin. This resilient synthetic material lasts for a long time and, thanks to its flexibility, can be painted in a wide variety of different colors. Vinyl siding has been a staple choice for homeowners for about 70 years since its widespread appearance in the 1950s when it quickly replaced aluminum siding.
Compared to earlier vinyl siding iterations, modern vinyl siding has superior chemical makeup, resistance to warping, and many other important advantages. Those advantages are why it’s widely preferred by Tri-Cities homeowners!
The benefits of vinyl siding
There’s a lot to like about vinyl siding, like ease of installation and low maintenance requirements. When comparing vinyl vs. wood siding, vinyl takes hardly any maintenance on your part (instead of having to treat it for insects, for example).
On top of that, vinyl siding doesn’t warp from humidity or moisture, and it can last for 40 years or more, particularly if you choose siding from reputable brands. You don’t have to paint vinyl siding if you like the color your panels come in, too.
Lastly, vinyl siding is highly insulated. It’s often paired with thick foam insulation, keeping your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.
Types of wood siding
Wood siding is another common siding type. You can find wood siding panels in cedar, plywood, and more. It's also available in several shapes, like solid wood, hand-cut shakes, and machine-cut shingles. All have similar maintenance needs since they come from the same natural material.
Natural wood siding has been around for hundreds of years, and some homeowners like this siding type due to its rustic appearance. That said, wood siding has some downsides that could give you reasons to hesitate before choosing it for your upcoming home renovation.
Key features of wood siding
Wood’s primary benefit is its aesthetic appeal, although wood siding is also not affected by extreme temperature changes. There’s something to be said for its sustainability, too; as a natural material, wood is biodegradable (although trees must be cut down to make the wood panels in the first place).
Still, keep in mind that wood siding is susceptible to water damage and can be targeted by termites and other pests. In addition, installing wood siding vs. vinyl siding is more challenging from the get-go, and you’ll need to maintain your wood siding panels regularly.
The cost of vinyl siding vs. wood siding
If you still can’t choose between vinyl and wood siding, it may help to compare their costs. In this regard, vinyl siding comes out on top.
On average, vinyl siding costs $4 to $5 per square foot (not counting materials and labor for installing the siding). You can alternatively measure the average cost of vinyl siding per square – with this calculation, vinyl siding can cost anywhere from $130 to $1,000. On average, expect to spend about $11,000 for full vinyl siding installation on your Tri-Cities home.
What about wood? Wood siding tends to be more expensive, costing up to $12.50 per square foot, especially if you want quality materials and construction. Some types of wood, like Ipe, can be even more expensive, costing up to $19 per square foot. On average, wood siding installation costs $19,300.
Vinyl siding vs. wood – which is better for your home?
In the end, vinyl siding is the flatly better choice for most Tri-Cities homeowners. It’s more cost-effective and energy-efficient, and vinyl siding is also easier to maintain compared to wood panels, making it the overall top siding type for your next home renovation project. If you’re looking to replace old siding across your entire house, you’ll be glad you went with vinyl by the time the project is finished.
Fortunately, finding and installing new vinyl siding is easier than ever with Window World of the Tri-Cities. Our showroom has samples for you to check out, and our experienced contractors can assist with your free quote, installation, and more. Call 423-212-2573 and get started with your siding project today!