How Does Vinyl Siding Differ From Aluminum Siding?

Vinyl Siding

Siding your home can be a very expensive project so you want to get the look you'll want for years to come that still fits within your budget. Vinyl siding is a popular choice for siding for new construction because it is less expensive than most sidings. It's also popular with home owners because it doesn't require much maintenance. But as with everything, it has it's pros and cons. There are many colors and textures to choose from but once you've chosen you are not going to be able to change it. Also, if you have a particular area that fades or gets damaged after a few years, it is very hard to match the color to replace it. Vinyl siding comes in various thicknesses, and the thicker the vinyl the better it is, but it also costs more. The color of the siding is all through the vinyl which means you won't see most scratches. It is extremely durable and can withstand bad weather including freezing and wind. You can buy siding in a number of designs, but all are made to look like some kind of wood. You can even get them to look like cedar shake.

Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is another less expensive alternative to wood or masonry siding. It is available in many textures including some that look like wood. Aluminum siding is another type of siding that needs little maintenance, especially if it is vinyl-wrapped. The most common problem with aluminum siding is the fact that it dents so easily. Because aluminum pits and the colors tend to chalk and fade, the vinyl-wrapped siding was introduced. It makes the aluminum siding so much stronger and maintenance free that most come with a 35 year warranty. The only problem with the vinyl-wrapped aluminum is it makes the project much more expensive.

Differences

The differences between the two types of siding are mostly about preference and price. Vinyl is less expensive than aluminum especially if the aluminum is vinyl wrapped. Aluminum by itself pits with age and the colors fade and get chalky. It also dents if anything hits it, even a small stone. The vinyl wrapped aluminum is stronger than vinyl by itself and makes it much more maintenance free. Vinyl siding can crack and it also fades, but at a much slower rate. One of the most common causes of damage to vinyl happens when someone has put their grill to close to it and has melted it. That won't happen with aluminum. There are pros and cons to both, but it all comes down to this: vinyl siding only needs to be washed off once in a while to keep it looking new, and it costs much less than vinyl-wrapped aluminum.