Montana Siding is the material that covers and protects the exterior of a home. It is available in various materials and styles that give your house a unique look.
Some of the most popular options are vinyl, brick and stone. Each has its pros and cons.
The first impression a potential buyer has of your home is its curb appeal. They’ll likely pass up a house with damaged siding or a faded exterior, even if the interior looks great. In fact, according to real estate agents surveyed by HomeLight, buyers will pay 7% more for a house with attractive curbside appeal.
Siding provides several important functions, including protection from harsh weather and pests. It also improves insulation and helps to protect inside structures from water damage. Replacing your old siding with new, bright colors will significantly increase your home’s curb appeal, which in turn will help boost resale value.
When it comes to choosing the right color, consider a timeless shade such as beige or gray. These neutrals are versatile and can compliment a variety of architectural styles. Bright or trendy colors may appeal to a niche group of buyers, but they can quickly go out of style and reduce resale value.
Aside from the aesthetic value, consider the longevity and durability of your new siding. Fiber cement siding, such as James Hardie products, is a highly popular option and will increase your home’s resale value significantly. It is more durable than vinyl and is not prone to warping or fading. It is also moisture-resistant, rot-proof and unappealing to insects and woodpeckers.
Regardless of the type of siding you choose, it is essential to hire a reputable contractor to ensure the job is done properly. Check online reviews and ask for recommendations from friends and family before hiring anyone. Make sure the company you choose is licensed and insured, and that they have experience working on homes in your area. Also, be sure to ask about financing options. In many cases, this will be the most affordable and fastest way to get your project started. If you’re unsure of what options are available, consult a local mortgage broker or real estate agent for advice. They can provide insights into the best siding material and colors that will appeal to buyers in your area. They can also help you determine the ideal budget for your project.
Low Maintenance
Many home siding options are billed as low-maintenance, but not all of them live up to their claim. Some, such as vinyl, may melt in hot temperatures and crack under pressure, while others like wood, are susceptible to mold, mildew, and rot that require extensive repair work.
The best siding options for low maintenance are made from tougher materials and require far less care than other options. These include fiber cement siding, brick and stone, and metal. These also have the longest lifespans of any siding type, making them an excellent choice for homeowners who want to minimize the amount of money they invest in home improvement projects over time.
Wood, vinyl, brick, and stucco are all options that are frequently advertised as low-maintenance, but each has its own set of unique benefits and drawbacks. Wood siding, for example, has a timeless look that appeals to some homeowners, but it is also highly vulnerable to mold and mildew and requires frequent re-painting. Vinyl is durable, but it can crack under pressure or if it is exposed to extremely cold weather conditions.
Brick is a classic choice that is resistant to fire, mold, and rot, but it can become brittle over time and has a limited color selection. Stucco, on the other hand, is impervious to insects and fungus, but it is also expensive to install and can easily crack or stain.
Among the true low-maintenance options, fiber cement siding is an excellent choice that can be used to imitate rustic wood grain or in modern and contemporary designs. This human-made material is a mix of Portland cement, cellulose fiber, sand, and silica. It is heavy, dense, and water-resistant. It can be treated with insoluble preservatives to resist rot, and it is also fire-resistant.
TruExterior and LP SmartSide are other composite sidings that are similar to fiber cement, but they use fly ash and polymers instead of portland cement and sand for added strength and dimensional stability. These materials also have a high level of fade resistance, meaning they will not lose their color as fast as traditional siding products.
Better Insulation
The insulating properties of siding are often overlooked. Most people think about insulation inside their homes when it comes to energy savings, but the outside of your home also has a significant impact on how your house feels and how much you pay for electricity.
Siding helps to keep your home at comfortable temperatures year round, and this is especially important during the summer. High humidity levels cause your air conditioner to work harder to cool your house, resulting in higher energy bills. Insulated vinyl can help to reduce this effect by keeping your home cooler and making it easier to lower your air conditioning settings.
There are many ways to improve your home’s energy efficiency, but new siding is a great place to start. Vinyl, wood and fiber cement siding can all help to improve your home’s insulating levels, but if you want the best results, consider investing in insulated vinyl. This type of siding is made through a similar process to traditional vinyl, but it is reinforced with rigid foam that increases its insulating capabilities.
Whether you are looking for a long-lasting material that is easy to maintain or you want something that will enhance your home’s curb appeal, insulated vinyl is an excellent option. It is available in a variety of colors and textures, so you can find the perfect look for your home. In addition to its aesthetic qualities, insulated vinyl can reduce your utility bills and provide added peace of mind.
There are several types of siding available, including wood, fiberglass, vinyl and concrete, but most of these materials have low insulating values and require a lot of maintenance. Fiber cement siding, like that offered by James Hardie, is long-lasting, termite-proof and fire and rot resistant. It also has a good R-value and is compatible with foam insulation products that can increase its insulating abilities even further.
Increased Curb Appeal
Investing in new siding is an excellent way to increase your home’s curb appeal. Whether you choose to match the color of your existing trim or go with high contrast shades, your house will stand out in the neighborhood and leave a positive impression on people who drive by. This can be a great selling point for potential buyers who are looking to buy your home.
New siding protects the interior of a home from harsh weather conditions and helps to lock in both heat and cold, which is a major benefit to homebuyers who are trying to conserve energy costs. Additionally, many homeowners are able to add their own style preferences through the use of a variety of colors, designs and textures that are available.
There are a wide range of siding styles to choose from including lap, shingle and shake to name a few. Homeowners can even incorporate accent pieces like window trim, doorknobs and outdoor sconces to enhance the look of their home’s exterior.
If you are unsure which siding style would best suit your home, visiting a showroom like American Cedar & Millwork in Deleware or Maryland can provide the opportunity to view different types of materials and see how they look on actual homes. This can help you to decide which style may work well for your home and give you confidence in your decision-making process.
The type of siding you choose can also be a major factor in your home’s resale value. Engineered wood siding like LP SmartSide offers the look of natural wood but comes with additional benefits that can be appealing to buyers. This includes the reassurance that it is protected against moisture damage, termites and fungal decay.
Updating your home’s exterior is an important step in ensuring its long-term durability and resale value. A home that looks outdated can be difficult to sell, especially if it’s in need of other costly and time-consuming renovations such as a new kitchen or boiler. Replacing your siding is a cost-effective solution that can provide immediate and ongoing benefits for years to come.