by Jami J. Rodgers
HomeOwnerNet Columnist
Even with the many residential
construction materials on the market today, one material rises to the top in terms of installation ease and maintenance. Vinyl siding is the clear choice for those that want a product with hassle free maintenance. Your home's exterior beautifies and protects one of the biggest investments you will ever make. The material you use to cover your home should be durable and reliable. Vinyl siding does not require repainting, resurfacing, or resealing like its aluminum and wooden counterparts.
Visual Benefits of Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding can be manufactured in a wide array of colors, including neutral shades, bold hues, bright colors, and softer pastels. Vinyl can even be texturized to give the appearance of natural wood grain. Because of its versatility, vinyl siding can be installed effectively to offer even the most discriminating homeowner an eye-catching façade.
Vinyl Siding Outlasts Other Options
Vinyl siding's durability is definitely a selling point. Homeowners can go long stretches of time with little more than a regular power washing to keep their siding looking clean and new. The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) recommends washing vinyl siding with a soft cloth or ordinary soft bristle brush. For best results, VSI recommends starting at the bottom of your house and working your way up. The VSI suggests rinsing the cleaning solution completely off the siding before it dries. Other residential siding products require sanding, resealing, and painting as normal maintenance procedures. According to the Vinyl Institute, the average life of vinyl siding is determined by decades versus other building materials. This material can even be recycled and used for other residential building materials after it has exceeded its normal life. If popularity is any indicator, vinyl siding is the logical choice for more and more homeowners. According to VSI, vinyl siding manufacturers reported that U.S. shipments of vinyl siding and trim totaled more than 41.2 million squares in 2004 alone.
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About the Author
Jami J. Rodgers works in acquisition management for the federal sector in Washington, D.C. Jami holds a B.S. in Spanish with a business option and an international studies minor from The Pennsylvania State University.
