Metal vs Vinyl Siding – Your Guide to Making an Informed Decision
Choosing a siding for your home is like choosing between two excellent restaurants – they’re both great in their ways, so how will you choose?
At Choice Exteriors, we’ve got you covered! Whether or not you’re using our products, we want to make sure that you make the best decision when choosing the siding for your home.
With many siding options available in the market, homeowners often need help to pick the right material since each has advantages and drawbacks.
Two popular choices are vinyl and metal siding. Both offer distinct benefits and disadvantages, so we’ve written this blog to help you make an informed decision based on your needs.
We’re not going to take sides but rather provide an unbiased examination of both siding materials, focusing on durability, costs, aesthetics, and insulation value.
Understanding the Basics
Let’s start with the basics of what metal and vinyl siding are:
Vinyl siding was invented in the 1950s as an alternative to aluminum siding when the post-war construction boom needed an affordable, low-maintenance material for home construction.
The first versions of vinyl siding were prone to cracking, fading, and sagging, giving it a poor reputation as a building material.
Today’s vinyl siding is typically made from polyvinyl chloride resin, better known as PVC. While the first thing you might think of is plumbing pipes, vinyl siding is actually PVC combined with other elements to enhance its strength, color retention, and flexibility.
The result is a material manufactured to be lightweight and durable. It mimics the appearance of wood without the challenges of maintaining wood siding, namely moisture, insects, woodpeckers, and rot.
Many people think of metal siding as the rusty old corrugated galvanized metal or tin roofs, but metal siding has come a long way. Today’s metal siding is sleek, futuristic, and typically made from steel or aluminum. It’s treated with coatings to resist rust and corrosion and then painted. With proper care, the strength and longevity of metal siding means it’ll last several decades.
Whether covering a futuristic skyscraper or a contemporary home, metal siding is commonly used in residential and commercial applications, giving a sleek, modern appearance that appeals to many homeowners.
Now that we’ve covered the basics of metal and vinyl siding, let’s discuss the benefits and drawbacks of these siding options.
Durability and Weather Resistance
Vinyl siding is designed to withstand traditional wood siding’s enemy – nature.
No more dealing with rotting pieces of siding or that pesky woodpecker banging on the side of your house! It’s essentially a direct replacement for wood siding and can be produced with simulated wood grain for that traditional look. The disadvantage of vinyl is that it can become brittle in extreme cold and crack or warp under extreme heat. However, quality vinyl siding is designed to meet or exceed various temperature ranges and weather types, so talk to a reputable supplier!
Metal siding is known for its durability and ability to withstand heavy rain, snow, and wind, making it an excellent choice for areas prone to severe weather. Being naturally fire-resistant, metal siding is ideal for adding a layer of safety to your home. The disadvantage of metal siding is its malleability – impacts such as large hail can leave dents, though it’s unlikely that your kid crashing into it trying to catch a football will cause damage (it might damage your child, though!). The paint on metal siding can also be scratched off. Like quality vinyl, a reputable brand of metal siding tends to be engineered to be more resistant to impact, and its coatings less prone to scratching.
The good news is that manufacturers are aware of the damaging effects of weather and daily life, and the homeowner can fix minor damage to vinyl and metal.
Cost Considerations
Vinyl siding is generally more affordable than metal siding. With material costs and installation, the average price of vinyl siding ranges from $2 to $7 per square foot, depending on the quality and style. Installation is typically straightforward, which helps keep labor costs down. Additionally, vinyl siding requires minimal maintenance, reducing long-term expenses.
Metal siding tends to be more expensive, ranging from $3 to $10 per square foot, with the cost varying based on the type of metal used and the complexity of the installation. While the initial investment is higher, metal siding offers long-term savings due to its durability and low maintenance requirements.
However, potential buyers should consider the cost of necessary repairs, such as fixing dents and repainting or replacing panels.
Aesthetic Options and Curb Appeal
Vinyl siding offers a wide range of colors, styles, and textures, allowing homeowners to achieve the desired look for their home. Since it mimics the appearance of wood, stone, or even brick, vinyl is a conventional choice. Vinyl siding is available in various profiles, such as horizontal, vertical, and shake, allowing homeowners to customize their home's exterior.
Metal siding also provides various aesthetic options, though it is often associated with a more modern or industrial look. It can be painted in numerous colors and finishes, including matte, glossy, and textured. Metal siding can be installed in panels, corrugated sheets, or even as shingles, allowing for creative design possibilities. However, some homeowners may find the appearance of metal siding less traditional than vinyl.
Insulation Value
Vinyl siding alone does not provide significant insulation, but insulated vinyl siding is available. This type of siding includes a layer of foam insulation that enhances energy efficiency by reducing heat loss and noise transmission. Insulated vinyl siding can contribute to lower energy bills and improved comfort within the home by supplementing existing insulation in wall studs and other spaces.
Metal siding does not inherently offer insulation, but like vinyl, it can be paired with insulated panels or additional insulation materials to improve thermal performance. Insulated metal panels are available, which incorporate a core of foam insulation to enhance energy efficiency, though the purpose of this insulation is more to help absorb sound.
The short of it is that even though there are insulated options available, neither one provides enough insulation on its own. For maximum energy efficiency, consider pairing your siding with newer continuous insulation technologies such as InSoFast panels that can be installed inside or outside the wall or Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) if you’re building a new home.
Environmental Impact
Vinyl siding is made from PVC, a plastic material that raises environmental concerns due to its production process and disposal challenges. While vinyl siding can be recycled, it is not biodegradable, and its production involves releasing harmful chemicals. However, vinyl siding's low maintenance requirements and long lifespan can offset some of its environmental impact, especially if disposed of responsibly.
Metal siding is often considered a more environmentally friendly option due to its recyclability.
Steel and aluminum can be recycled indefinitely without losing quality, reducing the need for new raw materials. It’s possible that your siding used to be a soda can you drank from or a car you scrapped!
Metal siding's durability also contributes to a smaller carbon footprint over time. However, the production of metal siding requires significant energy, generating emissions during the smelting and refining stages. However, since many siding products incorporate recycled materials, the overall environmental footprint is lowered by reducing the need for new resource extraction.
Recap
Choosing between vinyl and metal siding ultimately comes down to your priorities and the specific needs of your home. Here’s a quick recap to help:
Durability and Weather Resistance: Metal siding offers superior durability and weather resistance, while vinyl siding can be an excellent choice in moderate climates.
Cost Considerations: Vinyl siding is more affordable upfront, but you may need to replace siding pieces over time. The longevity of metal siding provides long-term savings.
Aesthetics Options and Curb Appeal: Vinyl siding provides a wide range of colors and styles, while metal siding offers a modern, industrial look.
Insulation Value: Both materials can be combined with insulation to improve energy efficiency, but insulated vinyl siding provides better thermal performance.
Environmental Impact: Metal siding is infinitely recyclable, but has a higher upfront carbon footprint during manufacturing. Vinyl siding’s recyclability is limited, but it has a lower environmental impact during its lifespan.
Conclusion
We hope we’ve provided enough information to make an informed decision. Whichever you choose, modern siding materials have come a long way and will provide excellent protection for your home.
Interested in learning more about how we can help with your home’s exterior? Here are a few blogs that could inspire you:
- A Guide to Vinyl Siding
- Stucco Woes? Here’s What you Need to Know: 10 FAQs on Remediation
- Making Exterior Renovations With a High ROI
At Choice Exteriors, our mission is to provide exceptional exterior contracting that improves the value and function of your home.
Whatever your project, big or small, we will treat it with the utmost urgency and care that you deserve. Contact us today, and let us be your siding contractor!