Your home is where you live, raise your family, celebrate holidays, and create memories. So when regular wear and tear starts making it look a bit run down, you’ll want to bring it back to life! One of the best renovations you can make for the longevity and curb appeal of your home is replacing your siding. Not only does new siding give your home a fresh new look, it also fortifies your home to withstand the elements and maintain its beautiful appearance for years to come.
Once you’ve determined that replacement siding is the right investment for your home, you need to decide what kind of replacement siding you want (and need). As you choose replacement siding for your home, here are a few things to consider.
Check Your Homeowners Association
Before you choose replacement siding for your home, you should always begin by confirming any requirements of your Homeowners Association (HOA), as they may have style and color guidelines you’ll need to follow. Once you’re aware of any potential limitations your neighborhood has for your siding style, you can start deciding what is best for your home.
Consider the Curb Appeal
Siding composes the majority of the exterior of your home, and so it will set the tone for the entire aesthetic of your house. It’s important to choose replacement siding that has the right style and color for your home’s architecture to boost curb appeal and increase the value of your home. Here are a few popular home styles in Kansas and Missouri to help you determine the right siding for your home:
- Western (Ranch-style) homes look beautiful with wood-look siding in neutral colors.
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- Craftsman homes usually have a very specific, unique look with natural colors. You may want to choose replacement siding that is similar in color to your current siding.
- Victorian homes look great in almost any color and are lovely in rich purples or greens.
- Colonial homes benefit from a traditional style with neutral beiges and grays.
- Contemporary homes tend to have simple siding colors like black or white for a modern look.
Not sure what style your home is? Not to worry — our team at Rolox can help with an in-home consultation!
Choose the Material
Unless you already feel strongly about a specific color, you should start by determining which material is best for your home’s replacement siding. Each material and vendor features different colors and styles, so it can be helpful to first determine the type of siding you will need before you fall in love with a very specific color.
Here’s a breakdown of some of the most common replacement siding options for you to consider:
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement has come a long way since its historically asbestos-infested days. This man-made material blends cement, silica, and natural cellulose fibers for a safer fabrication of traditional cement siding. It is very durable and not susceptible to wood-loving pests, but doesn’t have a great insulation value compared to alternatives.
Fiber cement is also an expensive material that can require a large, costly installation crew due to its heavy weight. If you’re looking for a good balance of quality and budget, fiber cement is not your best bet.
Metal/Steel
Metal siding is very low maintenance compared to most siding materials, with excellent durability and pest resistance. It is also very energy efficient, as the reflective quality of the metal won’t absorb the sun’s UV rays. However, metal can require a large upfront investment in the material and installation. It also is difficult to replace, prone to dents and imperfections, and rather limited in terms of colors and styles.
Wood
Wood is a very traditional siding material with great curb appeal, but loses its luster when it comes to functionality. Wood can be stained or painted a wide variety of colors to suit any home style and preference, and can be durable. But wood siding needs regular maintenance and lots of care for it to last.
Depending on the specific wood, your siding may need to be restained every 2-3 years (or repainted every 3-5 years) to protect against moisture damage. Wood siding is also significantly less flame resistant than other siding options, and is prone to attracting wood-loving pests like termites or carpenter bees.
Vinyl
Because of the costs and inefficiencies of most siding options, we at Rolox Home Service are proud installers and promoters of vinyl replacement siding! Vinyl siding has the water-resistant and pest-resistant benefits of metal and fiber cement with the added benefits of being very low maintenance, long-lasting, energy efficient, and cost-effective!
Vinyl siding is easy to install and much less expensive than many other siding options on the market — which means you’ll save money upfront when choosing replacement vinyl siding. Vinyl replacement siding also comes in a wide variety of colors and textures, including wood-look and stone-like varieties.
Choose the Color
With your material chosen, take a look at the color and texture options available to you and determine which is the best fit for your home. Keep curb appeal in mind and consider what will look best with your windows and roofing. Contrast is a great way to add visual interest!
Choose a Contractor
Finding a contractor with experience installing the siding of your choice is the most important step! For homeowners in both Kansas and Missouri, we are ready to serve you with a team of professional installers who will treat your home as their own!
Vinyl replacement siding from Rolox Home Service will bring out the unique character of your home, maintain that “just painted” look forever, and is available in a wide selection of colors and textures to create the vision you have for your home. Contact us today for a free estimate!
