Top 6 Alternatives to Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is one of the most popular types of siding materials in the United States. It’s visually appealing, affordable, and relatively durable. However, there are a variety of other types that may be more well-suited for your home. Most of them are more expensive than vinyl but they make up for it in value because of how they look, how durable they are, or how much they increase your home’s curb appeal. In this article, we’re going to cover six alternatives to vinyl siding that you can install on your house.

At Legacy Service, we’d like to take care of your home exterior. Whether you’re looking to replace the shingles on your roof or you’d like to install better siding on your home, we’re here for you. To learn more about our options, from style to material to color, please call us at 215-798-9790 or contact us here to schedule a free consultation for siding replacement.

Cons of Vinyl Siding

Although vinyl siding has plenty of pros, it also has its downsides. Here are some of the reasons why you might not want to choose it for your house:

It’s not the most sustainable type – Many homeowners today take sustainability into account when designing or upgrading their home, which is good for their family as well as the environment. Unfortunately, vinyl isn’t considered a sustainable (or green) product, even though some manufacturers do use some recycled material. Few places accept vinyl for recycling, so it will most likely end up in a landfill someday.

It’s susceptible to warping and cracking – Depending on the climate of where you live, your vinyl siding may be more susceptible to warping and cracking. If you live in an area that gets hot throughout the year, it can lead to warping after a few years. Living in a colder climate can lead to fractures or cracks.

It may have moisture problems depending on how it’s installed – Although the vinyl itself is water-resistant, if it’s installed without foam backing, it can end up trapping moisture behind the siding. This can cause rot, mold, and mildew.

6 Vinyl Siding Alternatives to Consider

If you’ve chosen a style of siding for your home (board and batten, dutch lap, vertical, or shake), it’s time to select the material. Six of the best options include fiber cement, stucco, stone or faux stone, brick, aluminum, and wood. We’ll go into more detail for each one below:

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement is gaining in popularity as an alternative to vinyl siding for many reasons. It may be more expensive, but it’s still one of the most affordable types. It also has a ton of benefits, including the fact that it uses a sturdy material that’s highly durable and won’t burn, has a longer lifespan, and looks even better than vinyl. Fiber cement is also capable of resisting termites and can endure harsh winds up to 150 mph.

At Legacy Service, fiber cement is one of our favorite types, especially by James Hardie. James Hardie is one of the highest-rated and most popular brands on the market today. In fact, more than 8 million homes in America are protected by it. The best part is that it can accommodate any style of home. Find out how fiber cement by James Hardie would benefit your home by contacting us for a consultation.

Stucco

Stucco siding is popular for homes in the southwestern United States since the material works well in warm, dry climates. It has a very distinct look, so it adds character to just about any home that uses it. This siding material is made from a mix of sand, cement, water, and lime, and you can choose from a variety of colors. It is built to last, but it requires careful installation to avoid cracking. It also requires a lot of maintenance, including regular cleaning to make sure it stays looking good.

At Legacy Service, we don’t typically install stucco since we primarily provide service for homeowners who live in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Delaware. However, if you live in a region where stucco is more popular, such as Florida, Texas, or the Southwest, we’re sure that there are plenty of good siding companies with teams who will be happy to install it for you.

Stone or Faux Stone

Whether you choose natural stone or faux stone, you’ll be adding great beauty to your home’s exterior. However, stone does come at a price. It’s one of the most weather-resistant siding materials and it can be quite difficult to install, which makes its overall cost higher than most of the other options. Fortunately, if you like the look of stone but would like a more affordable option, you can choose faux stone. Also, if you’re concerned with the sustainability of stone siding, you can opt for engineered stone since it’s a greener alternative.

In most cases, stone works best when it’s the original siding choice for a home. We typically wouldn’t recommend replacing your fiber cement siding (or another type) with stone. But if your heart is set on stone, please contact our Legacy Service team to learn more about our siding replacement options.

Brick

Brick exteriors are often considered one of the most durable. They also have a very distinct appearance since they have been used for many Colonial or English homes in the past. Their high-resistance to the natural elements and labor-intensive installation process makes brick veneers one of the most expensive alternative siding types for the home. Increasingly, homeowners have been turning to other types of siding that are more affordable for their homes. Many people also like the appearance of the other types better.

Brick siding is nice for historical homes, but what if you’d like a home that’s more modern-looking? We’d probably suggest something like vinyl or fiber cement. Wood siding and PVC siding are also good options that our team can provide installation and replacement service for.

Aluminum

Aluminum siding is known as the cheaper alternative to vinyl siding. However, that may come at its own price. Aluminum is cheaper because it’s less durable than the other types, so it may not last as long. Other types of siding would also increase your home’s curb appeal better than aluminum would. However, aluminum does provide excellent insulation for homes. It might even be able to save you money on cooling and heating bills over the product’s lifetime. If you’re looking to learn more about aluminum siding replacement and what it can offer you and your home, please feel free to contact us today.

Wood

If you want more of a natural look for your home, consider wood siding. It provides a rich, classic appearance that will last for many years to come, maybe even for multiple generations when given the right maintenance. This means that you’ll have to ensure that it’s repainted or restained every few years and use sealants to keep away mold, mildew, and termites. If you choose wood, your options will include shake, shingle, or horizontal lap siding. All of these options will provide natural, unmatched beauty for your home as well as increase its curb appeal.

FAQ

What can I use instead of vinyl?

Although vinyl siding is an excellent choice for any homeowner, there are plenty of other options to choose from. Six of the best alternatives include fiber cement, wood, aluminum, stone or faux stone, brick, and stucco. Fiber cement is one material that has been gaining in popularity in recent years. Not only is it unique-looking and beautiful, but it is also durable and long-lasting.

Is there anything cheaper than vinyl siding?

Vinyl is typically the least expensive siding option. However, some homeowners believe that other materials with longer lifespans offer a better value. Aluminum and fiber cement are the next two materials in terms of cost. Aluminum is a low-cost, low-maintenance siding option, and fiber cement, although more expensive, offers an ideal combination of longevity, curb appeal, and value. It all depends on what you’re looking for.

Which Type of Siding Will Work Best For Your Home?

There’s not usually a specific type of siding that will work best for your home. It’s more about aligning your tastes, preferences, and budget with the right type. We can help you make that decision here at Legacy Service. Our team has plenty of experience installing and replacing siding as well as helping homeowners determine which one is best for them. If you like to learn more about siding installation or replacement, please give us a call at 215-798-9790 or fill out a contact form here. Schedule a consultation and find out how you can upgrade your home exterior!