From vinyl to wood to fiber cement, there are many options to choose from when siding a multi-family property. Let’s look at these three main siding materials and go over the pros and cons of each.
Vinyl Siding
According to the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC), vinyl siding is the second most popular siding material in the United States after stucco, and is found on about 75 percent of the homes in our area. It’s popular for a reason: it’s affordable, it’s simple and quick to install, and it’s easy to maintain.
As a property owner, this is music to your ears. Who wants to worry about a lot of maintenance for their siding, especially when you have so many other things to worry about?
Vinyl is also chosen for its wide range of colors and styles, giving rise to its versatility that complements virtually any architectural style. It’s the most affordable out of the three we are discussing here, and is available in lots of textures too.
Vinyl siding costs between $4 and $5 per square foot, not including labor and materials for installation, says Forbes. In addition, vinyl siding replacement has an ROI of 67 percent, says Remodeling Magazine.
Vinyl does have its drawbacks. It can easily be dented or holed, it can be difficult to replace individual panels, there can be some color fading over the years, and there is a potential for cracking in extremely cold weather.
Fiber Cement Siding
This is a composite material made up of cement and cellulose fibers that can be converted into panels, trim, clapboards, battens, and boards. It’s solid and dimensionally stable, it can easily be painted, and it promises a long lifespan. James Hardie is the most well-known manufacturer of fiber cement products. Fiber cement siding happens to have an ROI of 68 percent.
Let’s break down the benefits of fiber cement:
- Weather resistant
- Moisture and rot resistant
- Non-combustible
- Pest resistant
But nothing’s perfect, right? Fiber cement has some cons too. It’s more difficult to install than vinyl siding, and therefore more expensive. Plus, it’s not the most energy efficient or environmentally friendly siding out there.
Wood Siding
Ah, wood. Many people prefer the look of wood due to its classic and traditional appearance. That’s why you will see many homes still covered with cedar shake siding, with pine and cedar being the two main wood species. Cedar types include Alaskan yellow cedar, red cedar, and eastern white cedar, each featuring the color in its name.
Pine siding is the more affordable choice but it’s not as good as cedar at resisting rot and insects. More dimensionally stable, cedar won’t crack, expand, contract, or warp like pine will, but you will have to add a protective finish and stain to cedar shakes. This will protect your siding from the elements and sun damage.
Dings and scratches don’t reveal themselves as easily on this material because of its natural wood grain. Best for traditional house styles, wood provides a nice rustic look that appeals to many tenants and homeowners.
However, it requires a lot of regular maintenance and upkeep to ensure it doesn’t rot or get infested with insects. Cedar shake siding is more expensive than vinyl and fiber cement.
No matter which siding material you decide to go with, there are pros and cons to each. You really can’t make a wrong choice here, but your HOA construction team will advise you on your best option based on budget.
Contact Allstar Construction and Maintenance for Multi-Family Siding
Allstar Construction and Maintenance installs all kinds of siding from vinyl, Hardie Plank, and cedar to LP Smart siding. Whatever style you need to match your association’s community guidelines, we can accommodate you! Just contact us today at (952) 234-9995.