A home exterior provides appeal and protection for your home.
A variety of choices for home exteriors exist, and it can be difficult to choose the one for your home. Consider the effect on your home's curb appeal and how it will match neighboring homes, the life expectancy of the product and the expense of installation as well as future maintenance costs. A home exterior remodel offers increased home value, lower energy costs and better protection for your home.
Vinyl Siding
Molded vinyl siding looks like wood siding and, thanks to low cost and ease of installation, remains a popular choice for home exteriors. Vinyl siding manufacturers make several grades of siding depending on the thickness of the material, with thicker siding being the better grade. Available colors range from light to medium, since darker colors may be more prone to fading over time. Vinyl siding offers the benefits of being waterproof and inexpensive with very little maintenance cost, since it never has to be painted.
Metal Siding
Aluminum and steel siding also simulate the look of wood and offer a durable, low-maintenance and fireproof choice for a home exterior. Steel siding, while durable, must be touched up for rust prevention when the finish is scratched. Aluminum, though long lasting, dents easily and can corrode where the finish is damaged. Both are difficult to work with and require professional installation.
Fiber-Cement Siding
A popular choice among new home builders, fiber-cement siding is made from a mixture of sand, cement and wood fibers. Fiber-cement siding offers the benefits of being waterproof as well as fire and termite resistant with a cost just somewhat more than vinyl siding. It can be purchased primed and painted or painted after installation, although manufacturers may offer a longer warranty with prepainted siding. Fiber-cement doesn't expand and contract with the weather like wood does, which means the paint lasts longer for lower long-term maintenance costs.
Stucco
Stucco is a combination of plaster and cement applied over a mesh screen in several layers with a trowel. Finish stucco with a smooth or textured surface and paint it or add pigment to the stucco for color. Installation requires time and skill, which makes stucco an expensive choice for a home exterior, and it isn't as durable as some other exterior coverings.
Brick and Stone
Brick and stone make beautiful, fireproof and durable home exteriors, but they are expensive, require professional installation and periodically need some maintenance to ensure a waterproof seal. A brick or stone exterior veneer is made from a mixture of aggregates and cement. Veneer simulates a stone or brick exterior for less expense and requires only an annual cleaning for maintenance but still requires professional installation.
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