All of the great displays in the stores, on TV and in samples sound so appealing. Install some vinyl siding, ] and you'll never have to maintain your home again. this durable form of PVC material won't ever chip, blister, peel, rot or flake. Vinyl is available in a ton of different hues, colors, and can simulate traditional home details that were once made from organic material. It's no wonder that vinyl siding has become the most popular exterior sheating material in the United States and is quickly gaining ground all around the globe.
1. Health Issues
Vinyl is made from a polymer resin that is believed by some to cause cancer. Although vinyl may be safe while it is on your home, some people strongly believe along with some scientific testing that it's actually very dangerous. Fires that can happen throughout homes in our nation have a high risk of also having vinyl siding outside, and when fire touches vinyl siding, it can burn and cause a terrible odor and release of potentially toxic gas into the air. Not that anything else burning is much safer though keep in mind.
There are some really great resources throughout my blog that you'll see where you can click and find out more regarding the dangers of vinyl siding and plastic PVC products commonly found in the construction industry.
For an opposing view, read the arguments written by the Vinyl Institute.
2. Durability
Advertisements often imply that vinyl siding is permanent. It is true that vinyl will last a very long time. (That's why it is so difficult to dispose of safely.) In extreme weather, however, vinyl is less durable than wood and masonry. Violent wind can get underneath the thin sheets of vinyl siding and lift a panel from the wall. Windblown debris and strong hail can puncture vinyl. New developments are making vinyl is stronger and less brittle, but the plastic sheets will still crack or break if struck by a lawnmower or snowblower. Damage cannot be patched; you will need to replace a panel.
Liquid vinyl coatings, which are sprayed on like paint, may prove to be more durable than vinyl panels. However, liquid vinyl coatings are difficult to apply correctly. Numerous problems have been reported. (See Miracle Liquid Siding Products, on Ask the Builder.)
3. Maintenance
Wood must be painted or stained; vinyl requires no paint. However, it's not exactly true to say that vinyl is maintenance-free. To maintain its fresh appearance, vinyl siding should be washed once a year. Any wooden window sashes and trim will still require routine painting, and ladders leaning against the house can scuff or crack the vinyl siding.
Unlike wood and masonry, vinyl siding presents its own breed of maintenance worries. Moisture trapped beneath the vinyl siding will accelerate rot, promote mold and mildew, and invite insect infestations. Left uncorrected, dampness in the walls will cause wallpaper and paint inside the house to blister and peel. To avoid hidden decay, you will want frequently recaulk joints between the vinyl siding and adjacent trim. Roof leaks, faulty gutters, or other sources of moisture should be repaired without delay. Vinyl siding may not be a wise option for an older home with a chronically damp cellar.
4. Energy Conservation
Be wary of a vinyl salesperson who promises lower energy bills. Even with thick Styrofoam backing, a vinyl panel cannot provide significant insulation. Regardless of the type of siding you choose, you may want to install additional insulation inside the walls.
5. Color
Vinyl is available in more colors than ever before, and ne is baked through instead of applied to the surface, so vinyl won't show scratches. Nevertheless, depending on the quality of vinyl you buy, expect some fading after five years or so. Time and weather will also alter the gloss of your vinyl siding. If a panel is damaged, the new replacement panel will not be an exact match.
vinyl siding does not fade as quickly as older vinyl. Also, the pigmentation
You might actually have noticed that your home has faded slightly when you take down shutters or maybe if you look at a side or portion of your home that is more affected by sunlight or the lack of. Sometimes mildew has formed on your siding as a result of lack of sunlight as well. This can severely affect the quality of the vinyl siding color should you have it installed.
6. Historic Preservation
With a careful installation of a better-quality vinyl, the siding will truly fool the eye. Yet no matter how closely vinyl resembles wood, any artificial siding will diminish the historic authenticity of an older home. In many cases, the original trim and ornamental details are covered or removed. In some installations, the original clapboard is completely removed or seriously damaged. Vinyl siding will always alter the overall texture and proportions of the house, changing the depth of moldings and replacing natural wood grain with factory-made embossed patterns.
7. Home valuation
Vinyl siding DOES in fact have a huge benefit for the fact that it nearly immediately increases your homes resale value. In fact, there really isn't anything you can do on average to your home that will provide you with a positive return as quick and vinyl siding can.
That's why it's important to find a good vinyl siding contractor in your local area that only uses professional grade good quality vinyl siding.
