22 Dec Vinyl Siding vs Cedar Siding vs Fiber Cement Siding: An Arlington Heights Home Siding Company Compares
Is the aesthetic of your siding bringing you down? Is it not offering the protection that it once did? If so, it’s probably time to make a change. Interested in replacing your siding? If so, you’re going to have to choose a material to replace it with.
In general, there are three common materials to choose from: vinyl, cedar, and fiber cement. Need help choosing the right one? We’re going to help by comparing them below.
Durability
In terms of durability, it’s not even close. Fiber cement is far superior to both vinyl and cedar. Whereas vinyl siding is designed to thrive for between 20 and 40 years, and cedar siding is designed to thrive for between 30 and 50 years, fiber cement siding is designed to thrive for well over 100 years.
The reason for this? Unbelievable weather-resistance capabilities. Not only is fiber cement entirely resistant to rain, but to sunlight as well.
Maintenance Needs
All siding requires maintenance of some kind. However, cedar siding requires much more maintenance than both fiber cement and vinyl. Whereas fiber cement and vinyl can thrive with just an occasional cleaning, cedar siding requires cleaning, staining, repairing, and, in some cases, painting.
As such, cedar siding can be exceedingly expensive to own. Therefore, while you may be able to handle its installation and purchase costs, you may not want to deal with the ongoing maintenance costs.
Weather Resistance
In terms of weather resistance, cedar siding is the low man on the totem pole. It’s deeply affected by both moisture and sunlight, and, while not as vulnerable as other types of wood, it can deteriorate quickly if not properly maintained.
Vinyl and fiber cement, on the other hand, are both exceedingly resistant to weather. That being said, fiber cement is the more resistant of the two.
Insulation
When it comes to insulation, cedar is generally the best option. Vinyl comes in second, with fiber cement rounding out the group.
That being said, vinyl’s insulative qualities vary. Some vinyl siding is specifically lined with insulating foam, allowing it to provide much greater insulation than it otherwise would. As such, some types of vinyl siding actually provide greater insulation than cedar.
Aesthetics
Aesthetically speaking, cedar siding is often regarded to be the most pleasing. Rustic and charming, it evokes a classic traditionalism that you just can’t get with other siding materials. Not to mention, it can be painted any color.
That said, vinyl and fiber cement have their merits as well. Available in a wide variety of colors and styles, they’re capable of supplying homes with an attractive aesthetics.
In the end, aesthetic preferences are subjective. Your best bet is to compare all three materials up close to see which one provides the appearance you’re looking for.
Cost
The cost of the three materials can vary wildly. That said, fiber cement is typically the most expensive, with cedar and vinyl coming in at 2nd and 3rd, respectively.
The payoff, of course, is that fiber cement siding lasts much longer than wood and vinyl. As such, it offers a much greater return on investment.
There’s also the issue of maintenance costs. The maintenance costs for cedar can be quite high, whereas the maintenance costs for fiber cement and vinyl are quite low.
Hire an Arlington Heights Home Siding Company to Install Your Siding
Have you made your choice? Interested in hiring an Arlington Heights home siding company? If so, Aspen Exterior Company can help.
Our team is well-versed in the installation of all types of siding. Whether you want to go with vinyl, fiber cement, or cedar, we can accommodate you.
Contact us today to schedule an appointment!
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