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Types of Vinyl Siding

Bhakti Satalkar
Earlier, weatherproofing of homes was done by sidings of wooden, aluminum, or fiber, but vinyl siding is used more often now because of its various advantages. There are many types of vinyl sidings available in the market, some of which are discussed here.
Most builders these days provide vinyl siding for houses. Seldom will you come across houses with a three-inch thick siding these days. The type of siding provided depends largely on the budget.
There are a number of reasons for vinyl being the popular choice, a few of which are easy installation, light in weight, durability, flexibility, variety, wide range of colors, and cost-effectiveness.

Types
Vinyl sidings are made up of polyvinyl chloride, commonly known as PVC, and various styles, colors, and types are available in them. They are made to look like stones and bricks, or resemble clapboards, battens, and logs. There are also varieties designed to look like wooden lap siding. Let us look at each one of them in detail.

Board and Batten

If you want the exterior of your house to have an old-world look, this one is for you. This siding replicates the look of wood, lending your house a rustic facade, and is highly versatile at the same time.
In this type, narrow cedar is usually alternated between the width of the siding. The most commonly available types are the ones which copy two courses of wood, called D4 and D5. The other variation available is called the Dutch Lap. It has the shape of the traditional dutch lap wooden siding.

Log

This type will render a log-cabin look to your house. But with this type, you will not have the problem of log settling, a common issue with log cabins. It is made of real wood, but is as simple to install as any other type.
The maintenance cost of this type of siding is also considerably less as compared to actual when wooden logs are used.

Seamless

There is a myriad range of colors and textures available in this type. You will be able to make use of various combinations and change the look of your house completely. This siding is renowned for its fire-retardant properties, and it also repels insects.

Pre-primed

You can paint this type of vinyl siding with the color of your choice, although the paint might not last as long as the paint applied by the manufacturer himself. Also, the cost of painting it yourself will be higher than getting it painted from the manufacturer.

Solid Core

This type of siding has a solid foam core, and hence it fits flat to the wall. Its impact resistance capacity stands out amongst all the other types.

Shake and Shingle

This type renders a singular look to your house. It is generally used in conjunction with other siding materials.

Liquid

It is famous for its heat reflecting capacity, thereby saving on energy bills. It is maintenance free, and its longevity is much more than regular paint. It protects the exterior of the house from extreme temperatures. It is also eco-friendly, and unlike other types, it does not emit any harmful chemicals.
Vinyl siding is much more cost-effective and durable than paint. It does not rot or flake and is also unaffected by sun, salt, cold, or snow. All these should be reason enough for you to choose them for your home.