There are many ways to decorate a house externally, from budget to very expensive, and each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages. However, siding has held the leading position on the market for many years. It is used for cladding the facades of residential buildings, industrial buildings, warehouses, garages and much more. Nowadays, a huge number of varieties of siding have appeared on the building materials market, differing in material of manufacture, color, and performance characteristics. But which siding is better? The answer to this question can be found in the article.
Which siding is better
What is siding, what are its features?
What's special about siding?
The name “siding”, which has become very firmly established in our everyday life, was actually borrowed. It comes from the English language from the word side, which translates as “side”. In principle, this is logical, considering that it is mounted on the wall. It is designed to provide two functions at once:
- decorative;
- protective.
Regarding the first, siding boasts a wide selection of colors, as well as a variety of structural types. Siding is truly an excellent protective material that can protect insulation and the walls themselves from unpleasant weather conditions. Most types of siding are highly resistant to hail, strong winds and other physical impacts.
Siding is in many ways similar to clapboard for exterior trim. It consists of individual sheets that are mounted into a common structure. Siding is not a completely airtight material. Otherwise, the walls underneath would become unusable. That is why special ventilation holes are provided, which are necessary to ventilate moisture and condensation.
Some types of siding can last up to 50 years. It's a good investment for a finish that won't require much intervention. Most types of siding are very easy to maintain.
They are easy to wash with a washcloth and detergent or just a hose. The origins of the history of siding go back to Switzerland. The first mention of the material that was used to cover walls in this way appears more than two centuries ago. During this time, the method went through a series of modifications and transformations, becoming what we know it today.
Types of siding for exterior decoration - historical facts
The very first material for finishing external walls was made of natural wood; today this option is special, rare, and expensive. In the 19th century, in order to protect the building from negative factors and transform the appearance, planed boards were nailed to its walls.
The peculiarity was that they were attached at a slight angle; it turned out like this - each subsequent horizontal layer hung over the previous one. As many years of practice have shown, raindrops simply rolled down on such a surface.
With the advent of the 50s of the 20th century, vinyl building products came into fashion; their production began in the United States of America and Canada. Wooden products were noticeably inferior to vinyl products in terms of durability, complexity of installation and maintenance.
Over time, other options for finishing materials appeared, made of metal and even cement. With the help of various types of siding for the exterior of a house, it is still possible to transform even the most unremarkable walls.
Vinyl
To be more precise, vinyl siding is actually made from polyvinyl chloride or PVC. This material has a large number of positive aspects:
- flexibility;
- resistance to burnout;
- crack resistance;
- light weight;
- ease of installation;
- high environmental friendliness;
- wide range of operating temperatures;
- not subject to corrosion.
PVC siding itself has good flexibility. This provides some freedom during installation work. This type of siding is available in a large number of colors. During the manufacturing process of the panels, which are later used to decorate the house, pigment dye is added, so it is easy to choose exactly what will best suit the overall exterior of the yard.
PVC siding perfectly withstands the effects of various acids, so in areas where there are large factories, its service life does not decrease. Siding sheets of this type can be fastened both vertically and horizontally.
Another undeniable advantage of this particular type of siding is its environmental friendliness. The manufacturing process does not use harmful solvents or other substances, so there are no harmful emissions even when heated. The operating temperature of such panels ranges from 50 degrees below zero to 50 degrees above zero. When installing PVC siding, it is necessary to cover the walls with insulation for external use. It is in this case that the desired effect will be achieved. One of the disadvantages of the material is its relative resistance to physical influences. It is also almost impossible to replace just one plank without dismantling the adjacent ones.
Market Review
The manufacturer is of great importance when choosing siding. The fact is that the service life, the quality of the material, its strength, the rate of fading and much more will depend on this.
Table. Foreign manufacturers of siding panels.
| Company manufacturer | Characteristic |
| Variform | An American brand that is distinguished by the quality of its products. Market tested. |
| Mitten | Canadian siding with a wide variety of colors. Very expensive, but proven material. |
| Gentek | High Canadian quality. The main competitor of the previous company. |
| Royal | Polish brand, but very expensive compared to domestic brands. Usually this siding is bought only because of the wide variety of colors, but in terms of quality it can be replaced with domestically produced material. |
| Vytec | Another Canadian company that produces siding. Durable and high quality, but, like other imported materials, expensive. |
| Vox | Belarusian siding, which is often positioned as Belgian. Not bad material. |
Royal Siding
Prices for metal siding Grand-Line
Table. Russian manufacturers of siding panels.
| Company manufacturer | Characteristic |
| Dock | Perhaps the most popular in Russia. The production plant is located in Moscow. Often offered by sellers as German, but this is not the case. It is inconvenient to install, and components often deteriorate in the sun. |
| "Northside" | Siding from St. Petersburg. Very high quality material at a reasonable price. |
| Fine Ber | Novosibirsk company. Too difficult to install, which is why it is not popular. But the price is quite high. |
| Tecos | Siding from Tver. Often appears to be Belgian. The price is high, but the quality is excellent. |
| "Alta-Profile" | High-quality material from Moscow. Small selection of colors, fades quickly, but is easy to use. |
Attaching siding to a wooden house
In order to ensure that the cladding of a wooden house with vinyl or metal siding is done to the highest possible quality, additional elements that are required for finishing window and door openings, gables, and slopes are purchased simultaneously with the panels. Read this article for more details.
Video - Choosing siding
Video - Installation of siding
It is best to choose siding that is produced not just by a well-known company, but by one that has been in demand for many years and has won the trust of customers. As a rule, the quality of such manufacturers is as high as possible, since reputation is very important to them. And some organizational issues are easier to resolve with them. Moreover, if you suddenly decide to make an extension to the house in the future, siding of the same type will be easier to find than purchased from a fly-by-night company.
Aluminum
Another type for exterior wall decoration is metal siding. It can be made directly from metal or aluminum sheets. Aluminum metal siding is distinguished by its strength and comparative lightness. Its weight, of course, is greater than that of the PVC version, but comparatively less than that of other types. Often this type of exterior decoration is used for multi-story buildings, where there may be a large wind and weight load. Installation of metal siding is also quite simple, so all work takes a short period of time. A significant disadvantage of this type of exterior finishing is its cost. But it is more than offset by the advantages, which more than outweigh it.
Aluminum is an inert material; it does not corrode, so it will last a very long time. This siding does not burn or melt, so even in difficult situations it will not pose a threat to human life. Aluminum tolerates sudden and significant temperature changes without deformation or damage. The owner can choose the color of the siding independently.
It can be changed without any consequences or you can use the one that comes from the factory. There are wood embossed sheet options. An ignorant person without a tactile test can easily confuse it with wood. Maintenance of aluminum finishing material is not difficult. The wood-effect finishing material is easy to clean with a regular rag or a spray from a hose.
Other varieties
In construction, other types of siding are also used for exterior decoration, for example, basement siding. Their peculiarity is the color design and texture, reminiscent of a stone of natural origin. Imitations of rubble, hewn raw materials, and brick are often found. You can choose a color from beige to black or red. The cost depends on what is used as the base; it can be metal or polyvinyl chloride.
Molded panels are fiber cement, they are made in the shape of a rectangle/square. The manufacturing process involves sintering a specially prepared composition and the resulting material is coated with paint.
High price indicators are explained by increased performance properties and possible service life. Weight characteristics are also important; because of them, increased demands are placed on the power frame.
Metal
Metal siding in its classic design is made from galvanized sheets. At the same time, it can also be decorated in appearance like wood, because solid smooth sheets of material do not look so beautiful. For protection, the outer side of the finishing material is coated with a polymer composition. It is able to mitigate various physical impacts and prevent corrosion. Each sheet of this type of material has an interlocking structure. This suggests that there is no need for additional expenses on fastening materials. Everything comes together clearly and quickly. Metal products have the same positive aspects as aluminum sheets for exterior decoration.
Note! If you follow the manufacturer's recommendations during installation, you can count on a service life of this type of material of 50 years.
Maintenance includes regular inspection of the entire surface and timely elimination of cracks and scratches that may occur due to physical impacts or temperature fluctuations.
Choosing siding step by step
The quality of the facade finishing and the appearance of the building largely depend on the choice of siding. Since all types of material have their advantages and disadvantages, it is important to correctly assess the operating conditions of the siding and many other factors so that the finish will serve for many years and be pleasing to the eye, but will not require additional repairs and restoration.
Step 1. First of all, it is important to assess your financial capabilities and operating conditions of the material. This will largely determine what the siding should be made of. The advantages and disadvantages of each type of material are described above. Note that the most durable is acrylic/vinyl siding, while wood siding lasts the least.
Types of siding for cladding a house
Step 2. You need to choose the color of the panels and their texture. They must meet not only wishes, but also the conditions of use. It is best to give preference to light colors, as dark ones will get too hot in the sun. And they don’t fade so noticeably.
On a note! If you have the desire and means to make your house exclusive, you can directly contact the siding manufacturer and offer him to produce siding with an individual pattern and geometry according to the customer’s wishes.
Popular siding colors
Step 3. The quality of painting of each panel should also be assessed. Painting must be done on both sides, and the surface must be smooth, without roughness (if it is not textured). If paint is only on the outside, this is an indicator of poor-quality siding.
Natural wood effect, natural wood effect series
Step 4. The cut thickness of the panel of material, which should be the same throughout the cut, also deserves special attention. Otherwise, the panel may become deformed in hot weather.
Pay attention to the panel cut thickness
Step 5. Temperature resistance also needs to be assessed. The greater the temperature range of the material, the better.
The permissible ambient temperature is also important
Siding problems
Step 6. You should choose a plastic and fairly flexible material (we are not talking about wood or fiber cement). Siding when bending a corner should bend, and not crumble or break.
Step 7. For a beginner who is going to install siding on their own for the first time, you should pay attention to the ease of attaching the panels. Each type of material has its own recommendations for strengthening on the facade of a house. It is better to choose the one that is easiest to install.
Covering a house with siding is slightly reminiscent of decorating the interior with plastic panels
Step 8. In order not to redo the siding in a couple of years, it is better to choose the most durable and high-quality material.
How to choose the right siding for your home
Step 9. You should request fire safety certificates from the seller.
Sample fire safety certificate
Ceramic
Ceramic siding has not yet become widespread, as it is a new product, but it has all the prerequisites to become one of the most popular finishing materials. It has one of the best price-quality ratios. The sheets are made of quite high quality, and the cost is relatively low. The basis of this type of finishing is clay. This means that the final product is environmentally friendly. Typically, this finishing is used by those people who are very careful about their health or who are allergic to certain materials and odors.
The appearance of ceramic cladding can also be made to look like wood. It is difficult to point to a building where such decoration would look out of place. If you decorate a country house with such material, it will look like one of the best, if not the best among its neighbors. An example of such a finish can be seen in the photo below.
What's good about siding?
Sometimes you can come across a slightly dismissive attitude towards the siding of a house - supporters of traditional materials try to pass off all types of siding panels as cheap and short-lived packaging for the walls of a house, which will have to be replaced after five to seven years of operation.
In theory, the service life of all types of siding is at least 20 years. This is a minimum level, but in reality, cladding made from certain types of siding can last 50 years or more, but under one condition - the use of high-quality materials and compliance with all installation technology requirements.
In addition to the relatively low price of the most budget-friendly types of siding, the technology of finishing walls with inlaid panels allows you to obtain several significant advantages:
- The load on the walls when facing with panels is several times less than brick or tile finishing;
- There are no problems with sudden temperature changes and freezing of water on the cladding surface. Even if a certain amount of condensation falls on the facing panels, this in no way affects the durability of the coating;
- Using cladding made from simple, non-insulated panels to decorate the walls of a house, you can reduce heat loss by 10%, and with insulation by 60-70%. At the same time, siding functions as a protective coating for all types of mineral and foam insulation.
It is worth noting that non-insulated types of siding can quite easily solve the problem of removing water vapor released through the walls of the house. Any other types of finishing must be combined with special vents and ventilation ducts.
Some types of siding panels have a significant drawback; the external finishing of plastic or stamped thin sheet metal turns out to be very sensitive to strong gusts of wind. Already at a wind speed of 15-20 m/s, siding laid on a metal frame experiences a tearing force of 10-15 kg/m2. Therefore, some types of siding are not recommended for use in areas with strong and sharp winds, for example, near the sea coast or in the mountains.
Cement
Cement has become widespread not only in construction, but also in finishing tasks. He managed to get to the siding. Cement siding itself is quite fragile. If handled carelessly, it can easily burst or crack. To compensate for this shortcoming, the sheet structure was supplemented with cellulose fiber. It ensures rigidity and uniformity of the structure.
Various patterns can be applied to the front side of such siding. Most often it is designed to look like wood. The price for this type of siding can be quite high. But it is compensated by a long service life, presentable appearance and fire safety. Installation of siding sheets occurs by analogy with other types.
Calculation of materials for finishing a wooden house
Calculations are carried out independently if you have a technical education and the necessary knowledge in geometry. In other cases, they invite a specialist or use an online calculator, which is available on many construction sites. To calculate siding, you need a house plan with dimensions along the length of the walls and height marks.
Step-by-step calculation instructions:
- the area of all walls is divided into plots, then the area of each individual section is calculated, the values are added up and the quadrature of the facade is obtained;
- the area of windows and doors is subtracted from the resulting indicator to obtain the size for wall cladding;
- calculate the area of the basement of the house if two types of material are used for cladding;
- calculate the quadrature of the roof overhangs if panels also need to be installed there.
The resulting value is multiplied by a factor of 1.1 to take into account the overlap of the strips along a length of 15 cm. To calculate the slats, take into account the height of the walls, as well as the fact that they need to be installed every 0.6 m, and racks are placed at the corners on both sides .
The corner elements of the siding system are taken according to the height of the corners of the house, the window slats are taken along the perimeter of the openings, the end and starting strips are taken along the length at the installation site. The brackets for fixing the slats are taken so that there are 4 to 5 pieces for each slat, depending on the height of the facade.
Wood
This type of siding is one of the most expensive. This is due to the high cost of the wood itself. Its presence is an undeniable advantage. To a greater extent, this siding is known as a block house. It is a part of a rounded log. There are also options in the form of a board or false beam. This siding can be made from either solid wood or glued fibers. Its appearance is the most attractive, but otherwise the material has a lot of disadvantages. It requires constant processing and care.
Wood is sensitive to moisture and may swell or warp. The period during which such siding will delight you with its beautiful appearance is much shorter than that of its analogues. If a fire occurs, the plane will quickly catch fire and become unusable. Another problem will be various animals and insects that can spoil the wood.
Advantages and disadvantages
- Easy installation. Siding is installed on wooden formwork using self-tapping screws. Installation is simple, you can do it yourself, because there are enough guides and articles on this topic on the Internet.
- This is a very durable coating that retains its beautiful appearance for a long time (about 20 years).
- Another important advantage is ease of maintenance. If necessary, the coating can be washed.
- Siding is an environmentally friendly coating, so when exposed to UV rays it does not emit substances harmful to health.
- Vinyl siding is susceptible to extreme temperature changes. Moisture contained in and on the material easily expands and contracts with noticeable changes in temperature. A difference of more than thirty degrees Celsius is already critical, so it is not advisable to use this type in the northern regions.
- The need to prepare the wall. Before installing the panels, you should attach a wooden formwork (guide system) to the rough surface of the external wall, to which the plastic will be drilled.
- The fragility, however, concerns only the budget plastic coating. The plastic itself is designed to last ten years of use, after which the top layer begins to degrade and peel off. None of this applies to metal siding, but after a while, steel still requires updating and fresh painting.
- Unsafe. Chipboard and plastic are easily flammable and melt. In case of fire, it will not help stop the flame due to its flammability.
Siding for the basement
It’s not for nothing that this type of siding is placed in a separate subcategory. It is used for one purpose - to protect the basement level from damage and excessive moisture absorption. In order to achieve the desired effect, you will need to use siding with a thickness of at least 3 mm. Basement siding sheets are smaller in size compared to wall siding. This is made for more convenient installation and passage of difficult areas. Also, sheets of basement siding are heavy. This type of finish can have different colors that imitate stone or brick. Often such siding can be used in conjunction with another finishing material, for example, facing bricks. The manufacturing process of this finishing material involves the use of durable components. At the same time, the decoration will please the owner as much as the house itself. At the same time, the sheets are resistant not only to weather conditions, but also to physical influences, for example, to impacts, which often occur at this level. A video about the installation of such siding can be viewed below.
Note! It is important to remember that the use of basement siding is only possible if the top point of the surface being designed is at a minimum level of 15 cm from the ground.
A few words about material burnout
Indeed, the question of whether siding, even the best quality, fades is often asked by owners of private houses. And yes, siding does become lighter when exposed to sunlight. People often consider this to be the main drawback of the material, however, before judging the quality of the finish based on this indicator, you should understand how siding burns out.
Siding Burnout
High-quality siding always fades gradually and evenly; this process is invisible to the eye. The difference will be noticeable only if you build an extension to a house covered with siding a few years later and cover it with exactly the same siding. The first one will be several shades lighter. That is why it is recommended to immediately sheathe the entire structure, and not to stretch this process over 1-2 seasons.
Siding walls
On a note! High-quality siding produced in Canada will begin to fade no earlier than 10 years after the start of use, material from Russian manufacturers will be as bright as the day of purchase for 5 years, and cheap, low-quality material will lose its richness of colors within a couple of years.
Why does siding fade differently? It's all about titanium dioxide, which is used in the siding production process. It’s just that much more of this substance is used in the manufacture of high-quality material.
Another example of using low-quality siding
Now it's time to figure out what types of siding exist. This will help you make the right choice of finishing material.
Which siding is best to use for cladding a house?
Nowadays, siding is the most popular material in individual housing construction. With its use, you can level the wall and hide existing unevenness.
As a result, the facade becomes neat and has a pleasant appearance.
Types of siding for exterior cladding
To make the right choice, let's look at what types of this cladding material exist.
1. Wood or glued lining. Here, wood fibers are pressed under high pressure and temperature using special resins. Then the material is covered with several layers of paint or varnish. Externally, the cladding is pleasant and looks like real wood. Its service life is at least 15 years.
2. Wooden siding in finished form has differences in the types of sections, namely:
Methods for joining wood siding for exterior home decoration.
- Groove-ridge
- At a quarter
- overlap
- Butt-butt
Wooden siding in the outer skin of a building
And there is also a classification according to the type of wood, that is:
- Wood of resistant species, such as larch, is dried to a moisture content of 16-18%.
- Unstable species, such as pine and ash, are used to heat treat them. Such heat treatment at high humidity and high temperature of 170-220 degrees C greatly changes the properties of wood. It becomes due to exposure to moisture, mold and woodworms.
- The wood is impregnated with antiseptics under pressure.
3. Steel or metal looks like narrow panels made of galvanized steel with a polymer coating. The operating guarantee is given for a period of 20 years, but it can last up to 50 years.
If the base of the panels is simple metal, then it must be primed, a polymer coating is applied, and a protective coating is also applied.
The bad thing is that in places where the polymer layer is damaged, corrosion occurs.
Typically industrial buildings and warehouses are covered with metal siding.
The disadvantage is the large mass, which increases the load of the building on the foundation. It also has a fairly high cost.
Which siding is better, vinyl or acrylic?
The most popular types of narrow panels are vinyl and acrylic. They have a number of important advantages that allow us to consider them the best for finishing the facades of a house.
4. Vinyl (PVC - polyvinyl chloride 80%, the remaining 20% are additives) has a number of advantages for its use. The main quality lies in its ability to withstand the Russian climate. Its panels are made from high-quality polymer material with a high level of strength.
Externally, it looks like an ordinary board for cladding a facade. In addition, the material from which the siding is made is easy to clean. Light colors are more often produced.
It is able to withstand climatic loads for a long time.
Snow, rain or extreme heat will not harm your home. Because this finishing material has high resistance to external influences.
Additives from manufacturers may vary. And the cheaper the panels, the lower quality additives are present. Consequently, the presence of this negativity affects exploitation.
Vinyl siding in profile
PVC panels are lightweight, moisture-resistant, durable, do not support combustion, do not require special care, a reasonable price - these are the positive reviews.
And vinyl is frost-resistant, so it is perfect for northern cold regions.
Vinyl siding on the facade of the house
However, with temperature fluctuations, the panels expand and contract - these are their disadvantages. These disadvantages must be taken into account when installing them.
5. Acrylic also has a number of advantages and special properties. It will reliably protect your home from the surprises of the elements.
And also decorate it, turning it into a modern and stylish building.
Acrylic siding is made on the basis of new generation acrylic materials.
It is formulated with ASA polymer to improve its performance properties.
It does not fade in the sun and is highly resistant to ultraviolet radiation.
It has excellent resistance to aggressive agents and high temperatures.
As a tip: The choice of siding depends on the weather conditions in your area.
If we compare acrylic with PVC, then in terms of protection against ultraviolet radiation it exceeds PVC by 8-10 times.
It is recommended for use in hot and warm regions.
Acrylic can withstand temperatures of +75-80 degrees C.
Foam siding - what is it?
6. Foamed has the designation “Alta-Board”. This is a rectangular panel that looks like a regular board.
If you want the façade covering to serve you for many years, then choose material from well-known companies.
Foam siding on the facade of the house
Thus, today one of the leading manufacturers of siding in Russia is Alta-Profil Group of Companies. The company has offices in many cities.
Foam siding is a new product made using innovative technologies. It has improved thermal insulation compared to traditional ones.
It consists of foamed PVC and a top layer that contains high-tech additives for improved color fastness and naturalness. This gives resistance to bad weather, temperature fluctuations, corrosion, and swelling.
Foam siding, unlike regular siding, is thicker. And in appearance it is impossible to distinguish it from natural wood.
Benefits of foam siding
At the same time, it has all the advantages of a polymer material, which eliminates all the disadvantages of wood.
Namely: it does not rot, does not swell from moisture, does not need painting, and is not susceptible to fungus and mold.
Thanks to its porous structure, it has an even higher level of heat and sound insulation.
And it is also much more resistant to mechanical damage, such as scratches.
Foamed siding is an excellent finishing option to give the facade a beautiful appearance and at the same time improve the thermal insulation characteristics of the building.
Traditionally, it is also mounted in a herringbone pattern. It perfectly protects the house from noise and cold to make it cozier and more comfortable.
Service life up to 50 years or more.
7. Fiber cement finishing material is obtained by natural maturation of Portland cement with accompanying components. Synthetic organic fibers are added as binder fibers to give fiber cement strength. The board is called Cedral or simply Kedral.
The material is an excellent substitute for wood. The pattern is similar to the natural pattern of cedar.
Therefore, the facade turns out to be laconic and stylish.
Fiber cement siding is ideal for cladding the facade of a cottage with the texture of natural wood and the strength of concrete. All components of the board are made from natural raw materials, so they do not emit harmful substances when heated.
The ideal pattern goes well with all natural building materials, such as natural stone, brick, glass and metal.
The thickness of the boards varies and reaches up to 12 mm. The surface of the panels can be smooth or textured.
The exterior facade of the house is covered with fiber cement siding
The weight of the panels is impressive, so think about the foundation - will it support them?
Considerable weight, high cost and complexity of installation are the disadvantages of this coating.
Moisture resistance, strength, lack of rotting, resistance to temperature changes - all its distinctive advantages.
Conclusion on choosing siding
It is very difficult to answer with any certainty which siding material to choose for your home. Much depends on the budget and the final result. You should like the material you choose and its color.
And it must also be durable, easy to install, environmentally friendly and noise-proof.
For example, in houses with metal siding, when it rains, it feels like you are inside a drum. But foam does not have such an effect. Therefore, metal is more often used for lining offices, warehouses, shops and industrial buildings.
Aluminum panels are rarely used for finishing residential buildings, and more often for commercial premises.
Vinyl and acrylic narrow panels have high strength ratings. Only the presence of acrylic provides greater durability and resistance to temperature changes while maintaining an excellent glossy effect.
If your home is by the sea, then choose acrylic panels to withstand sea salt rains.
Firstly, when purchasing any material, you must be shown a certificate, which you must be able to verify.
Secondly, read reviews on the Internet.
Thirdly, know how to ask the right and important questions when purchasing.
