The Different Siding Types and What They Offer

Know Which Siding Best Suits Your Tennessee Home

When it comes to replacing the siding on your Nashville home, you’ll want to do some research to determine which type of siding suits your home the best. In order to help with that process, our “crash course” of siding materials details four commonly used siding types. We’re going to be examining the nature, pros, and cons of vinyl, fiber-cement, aluminum, and wood. At Tennessee Thermal, we strive to provide answers to your most pressing questions and since siding types is one of them, we’re offering answers.

Siding Types and Their Qualities:

• Vinyl: Vinyl siding is generally seen as the most popular type due to its versatility, low-maintenance, affordability, and energy efficiency. Available in several different styles such as lap, vertical, board & batten, and many more, vinyl siding can fit to any style home and region. It can be used to transform the look of your home to match any style you’re looking for. Additionally, there is an insulated variant that comes with foam-backing to increase your Nashville home’s energy efficiency.
• Fiber-cement: Similar to vinyl, fiber-cement is versatile, durable, affordable, and requires less maintenance than wood. Combining wood pulp, fly ash, and cement, this siding type is able to simulate the look of wood to a realistic degree and maintain the strength of brick. It’s able to withstand extreme temperatures, is fire resistant, and you don’t have to worry about rotting or insect infestation.
• Aluminum: Aluminum is a common type of metal siding, though not as popular as vinyl or fiber-cement. The pros of aluminum siding include fire resistance and low-maintenance. Additionally, its natural inclination against salty air makes it perfect for homes in coastal areas. A major drawback of aluminum is that it’s easily dented by hail, rocks, and other common impacts.
• Wood: Wood siding is desirable for its rich aesthetic and natural beauty. Additionally, there are several wood species from which to choose that each provide a unique look. Seen in many different profiles, wood siding has some versatility. The larges drawback to wood siding is the amount of maintenance it requires. In order to properly maintain it, you must stain it approximately every 2-3 years and repaint it around every 4-5 years. It is also susceptible to issues like wood rot, insect infestation, and water damage.

Deciding Which Siding is Right for Your Nashville Home

Of the four sidings mentioned above, vinyl is the most applicable. This is especially true for first time homeowners in the Nashville area since it is very low-maintenance, affordable, and highly versatile. In fact, it’s so applicable that we’ve made sure to carry high-quality insulated vinyl siding at Tennessee Thermal. Other siding types that are worth mentioning are brick, stone, and stucco, each of which is far more expensive than those mentioned above. To find out more about the different types of siding, contact us for a free consultation.