Introduction:
Welcome to Exterior & Interior Painting Specialists blog! Today we are going to go over the different types of siding that may be on your home and how you can tell if you need to replace or repaint it! I’m sure we don’t have to tell you how big the price difference can be between the two! Check out our complete table of contents below!
Table of Contents:
- Different types of siding
- Log Cabin
- Wood Shake
- Vinyl
- Metal
- Brick
- Stucco
General Tips:
- Check for any obvious exterior rotting, cracking or gaps. Repair any of these before washing or painting your home.
- If you find any moisture or mold on the inside of your home, check the same spot on the exterior of your home.
- If your heating/cooling bill keeps increasing exponentially, that may be a sign. Sometimes there is no obvious physical exterior damage.
- With vinyl siding be sure to check from every angle to see if there is any bulging.
- Keeping up on the basics helps your home last longer and keeps your bills lower.
Different Types of siding:
Wood:
The most common profiles for wood include:
- Board and Batten: One of the classic exteriors, board and batten or barn siding is made of wide boards joined together and a batten, which is a thin piece of wood put at the joint of two boards to cover the gap, creating a vertical design.
- Shingles – Also known as shakes, these are thin, lightweight pieces of wood with a tapered shape.
- Clapboards – Also known as bevel, lap, or weatherboarding, these are long, thin boards installed horizontally with a slight overlap.
- Drop Siding – Similar to clapboards, the top of each horizontally-placed board is fitted into a groove in the lower edge of the board on top of it.
- Vertical Boards – A series of wide boards are placed vertically with a series of narrow boards in between them.
- Wooden Sheet Siding – Simple sheets of plywood are installed for exterior walls, commonly used on inexpensive buildings.
- Log: Built with logs so exterior is logs stacked on top of one another in an interlocking design.
Replace or Repaint?
For most wood exteriors you can tell if you need to replace it by just pushing on the siding with your fingers to find rotted / soft areas. If you want to look and feel a little bit more official, you could go poking around with a rot detection device (aka “awl”).
To keep up on maintenance, look for areas with missing or dried out caulking and address them.
If everything is dry and solid, it can just be repainted! The paint will help protect the wood from weather and bugs!
Log Cabins:
Cost: The cost generally ranges from $3 to $8 per sq ft.
Pros:
- It gives the home a rustic look.
- The log exterior is long lasting if done using high quality wood and given proper maintenance.
Cons:
- The initial cost is high because it requires a professional or knowledgeable experience for a DIY and so is the cost of maintenance.
- It requires regular treatment to prevent insect infestation and the cracks in logs need to be sealed to prevent decay.
Replace or Repaint?
When checking for log rot, your best bet is to go around the home with a rubber mallet or hammer, tapping on each log (not the chinking between logs). You’ll know when you hit a spot that has damage, as it will be soft, and will make a different sound than the hollow ringing sound of solid logs.
If all of the logs sound normal and there is no water or bug damage, then there is no need to replace any of the logs! If the previous stain or paint is faded or chipping and peeling, all you need is a repaint!
Click here to read about our entire exterior painting process!
Wood shake siding:
Cost: The average cost is $7,200 per 2000 sq ft. The cost depends on the location and size of the home as well.
Pros:
- Shingles gives a home a natural look that blends well with surroundings such as waterfronts and woodlands.
- They cost less in comparison to sidings using materials such as bricks and stones, while they can last as long given proper maintenance. They need staining after every 3 years and need to be painted after every 6 years. Mildew repellents should be used if the area has a lot of moisture.
Cons:
- Shingles need regular maintenance involving caulking and painting so that they do not get damaged by weather.
- They are affected by moisture and can grow mold and algae if not properly maintained. Insects and wind can also damage the wood; it can warp, curl, fade and crack.
- Shingles may loosen with time.
Vinyl siding:
Cost: The cost ranges from $.65 to $2.00 per sq ft.
Pros:
- It is low maintenance and only requires washing every now and then.
- Vinyl does not require to be installed by a professional and a DIY can manage, which reduces the cost of installation.
- It can be customized into different designs and colors.
- The color does not fade.
Cons:
- It has a synthetic look that may be a discouraging factor to natural enthusiasts. To reduce the plastic effect, homeowners can use vinyl with long siding so that seams do not appear between panels.
- Vinyl degrades the environment after disposal because it is not biodegradable and ends up in landfills for a very long time unless recycled.
- It can be damaged by extreme weather conditions such a winds and high temperatures causing cracks, rot and mold.
Replace or Repaint?
Vinyl siding is manufactured to last a very long time. Warranties for vinyl siding can range from 20-40 years depending on the thickness. Unless you have a damaged panel with cracks or holes, it won’t need replaced.
Previously, it was very difficult to successfully paint vinyl because of how versatile it is. Now there is a special product of vinyl paint that allows you to choose from hundreds of different colors to update and change the look of your home!
Metal Siding:
Cost: The cost depends on the materials used and the cost of labor ranging from $4 to $8 per square foot.
Pros:
- Metal is long lasting and durable, a feature that makes it outlive most of the other home exterior materials. It does not rot or mold due to water damage though some types of metal may rust if not well finished and maintained.
- It retains color without fading and it can be painted.
- It is not prone to pest attack, does not warp or buckle.
- Metal is fire resistant.
- It keeps the home cool during summer by reflecting sunlight.
Cons:
- Some of the metals such as weathering steel and copper may change due to exposure to weather.
- Aluminum is soft and may dent if hit by rocks or hail while it may also fade.
- Steel is heavy and may take time to install thereby increasing the cost.
- It does not retain warmth in winter and so it increases heating bills.
- Metal needs to be repainted after a few years when the paint wears off.
Replace or Repaint?
More times than not, you won’t need to replace your metal siding, it will need to be routinely painted to prevent any rust. If it has already rusted through and created a hole, then you will need to replace that area.
Brick Siding:
Cost: Full brick cost ranges from $6 to $10 per square foot but it can go up to $12 while a brick veneer can range from $4 to $6. The cost of installation is not incorporated which can be high, especially for full brick exterior because it requires specialized skills.
Pros:
- A brick exterior does not need a lot of maintenance and can do with occasional washing.
- The exterior can last even more than 100 years with proper maintenance.
Cons:
- The cost of materials and installation are high. One of the cost contributors is the labor-intensive process of installation. In this case, you may consider a brick veneer.
Replace or Repaint:
You will only need to replace any bricks in your brick home if they are damaged, cracked or crumbling. Painting your brick also is not necessary, but it will help protect it. Painting your bricks also help you decorate and make your home feel and look more like yours!
Stucco Siding:
Cost: $6 to $9 per sq ft
Pros:
- It is long lasting if there is proper installation and maintenance.
- Due to the casing it provides, stucco insulates the home, reducing the need for cooling or heating thereby saving energy costs.
- It is resistant to fire and so there is no need to add fire retardants.
Cons:
- Stucco does not do well in areas with excess moisture and therefore not suitable for use in humid areas.
- It is expensive to install with a high initial cost.
Replace or Repaint?
If your stucco is stained or discolored, it could be a sign of trouble. Moisture and leakage causes this discoloration and if you can see visible stains, there could be mold or water damage lurking below the surface. Pay particular attention to the edges and corners of windows and doors and to the areas directly below the roof line as you look for damage. If there is no damage, you can just repaint it. The paint will help protect it, and let you personalize your home!
Conclusion:
Thank you for reading all of Exterior and Interior Painting Specialists blog! Today we went over the main different types of exterior siding and how to tell if you need to replace it, or if you can repaint it! As you know replacing your siding could be three times as much as painting it! Paint adds an extra layer of protection to your homes exterior!
For a free estimate give us a call!
Thanks for giving the information about these stuff. This will help me a lot when I will reconstruct my home.