When it’s time to replace the siding on your home, you will need to consider the materials used for this project. If you had wood siding before, you may have been exhausted trying to keep up with its appearance over the years. Now, you may be thinking of vinyl or aluminum siding. Aluminum siding’s durability is a strong selling point, but vinyl also offers longevity.
In this article, we compare vinyl and aluminum siding pros and cons to help you make the best choice for your home. At Pinnacle Home Improvements, our siding contractors provide unparalleled craftsmanship for your home’s exterior through vinyl siding, and we’re committed to providing homeowners with the key information they need to help them fall in love with their homes all over again.
Introduction to Siding Materials
Siding comes in various materials designed to protect your home and keep it beautiful over the years. Wood, brick, stone, and other materials typically come at a greater cost, and they’re more challenging to maintain. This is why many homeowners look at both vinyl and aluminum siding.
Both vinyl and aluminum siding have their advantages. However, it’s important to understand the benefits and drawbacks of each to make an informed decision for your home’s exterior.
Aluminum and Vinyl Siding: Key Differences
While both aluminum and vinyl have similarities in protecting your home, they have some key differences:
- Aluminum siding creates a more industrial vibe in appearance.
- Vinyl siding is made from polyvinyl chloride, a durable plastic material that won’t rust, which is an important consideration in coastal areas.
- Aluminum siding is cheaper, while vinyl siding costs a little more.
- Aluminum siding can dent more easily.
- Vinyl siding can become brittle and crack with age.
Is Aluminum Siding Better Than Vinyl?
When it comes to aluminum vs vinyl siding, it helps to look more deeply at their advantages and disadvantages in certain areas.
Aluminum Siding Pros
Aluminum siding is tough and long-lasting, and it holds up well in extreme weather conditions. It’s also resistant to fire, pests, water, rot, mold, and cracks. Since it won’t fade over time, it’s a low-maintenance and durable material you can count on for your home. Aluminum stands the test of time, making it less likely you’ll need to replace it, though it isn’t perfect by any means.
Aluminum Siding Cons
Aluminum siding may have many pros, but it’s not the material for you if you live near the beach, since it’s prone to rust. Even when you don’t live amid salty air, you will need to repaint aluminum siding every decade. While that isn’t unreasonable, the appearance of aluminum siding is more industrial. While it can be made to imitate wood grain, it falls short of looking like real wood, unlike vinyl, which does a much better job of creating that style.
Even though aluminum is strong, it can dent easily. Homeowners who live in areas that are more prone to severe weather, including hail, may want to avoid aluminum siding for these reasons. Driving rain may not cause damage, but it can take some getting used to when you have aluminum on your home, as the sound is noisy.
Vinyl Siding Pros
Vinyl and aluminum siding are both great options for providing resistance against pests and rot. Vinyl siding has the advantage of not rusting or corroding in locations near salt water. It can be created in any color and style, even resembling natural wood, stone, or other materials, and doesn’t need to be painted. This makes it even more low-maintenance than aluminum.
It’s a great material for upholding energy efficiency in your home and is inexpensive, too. Some homeowners learn how to trim & install vinyl siding and how to cut vinyl siding on their own, as the installation process is straightforward, though it will look best when left to professional installation.
Overall, it’s easy to maintain and can be easily cleaned off with a garden hose. Since it can match just about any architectural style, it’s one of the most chosen materials for siding projects.
Vinyl Siding Cons
Vinyl siding is incredibly versatile and can create just about any aesthetic for stunning curb appeal. However, it can crack and break in time as it’s made from plastic, and constant UV exposure along with extreme temperatures, particularly in extreme climates, can intensify the effects.
Water damage and mildew growth can also get behind vinyl siding, though this is more common when it isn’t installed correctly. Those who prefer DIY projects that want vinyl siding should leave installation to a professional for the best results.
Aluminum Siding vs Vinyl: Side by Side
It helps to review how these two materials stack up in terms side by side:
Appearance
When it comes to looks, vinyl is much more visually appealing. If you like the industrial style look aluminum provides, it can be a better option for your home. However, vinyl comes in a wide array of colors and doesn’t need to be painted over the years to maintain its look.
Durability
Aluminum is considered slightly more durable, but it does dent and scratch more easily. When it does get scratched, it doesn’t rust, which is some good news, though this damaged siding will need to be repaired. Those with vinyl will need to be more vigilant after storms and check to make sure no mold or mildew issues have developed.
Ease of Repairs and Maintenance
Vinyl is much easier to repair and maintain compared to aluminum. With damaged siding made from aluminum, you will have trouble removing and installing new pieces as the colors won’t match. While aluminum siding is easy to clean with a house and mild detergent like vinyl, it will need to be repainted when it fades. Vinyl won’t need to be repainted over the years unless you’ve painted over it.
Installation
Neither of these materials is too labor-intensive to install. However, getting it right is important. If you fail to install aluminum or vinyl correctly, it will stand out, and not in a good way either. Vinyl will save some time since it doesn’t need to be painted, though in the end, it’s best to hire professional siding contractors to make a seamless fit.
In particular for vinyl, it’s important to allow room for expansion and contraction of the material, or it can crack, leaving your home vulnerable to mold and mildew problems.
Longevity
Each of these materials lasts a long time, though vinyl will need to be replaced sooner than aluminum. If you choose vinyl, you can keep it lasting by taking care of it and promptly replacing any damaged panels.
Aluminum vs Vinyl Siding Insulation
With regards to vinyl siding vs aluminum siding installation, consideration should be given to insulation. Is insulated vinyl siding worth it? New siding should be installed with insulation to keep your home more energy efficient.
Vinyl siding has an R-value of 0.61 before insulation, and when this material is added during installation, those R-values are between 3 and 4. You get better thermal resistance that minimizes environmental impact, even in winter and summer, reducing your energy bills, with insulated vinyl siding.
Aluminum siding naturally conducts heat, and you will want to get it insulated to reduce its R-values down to 2 and 5. However, insulating aluminum siding is more expensive than vinyl, and it’s still more susceptible to heat transfer. Overall, insulated vinyl siding is a better choice for energy efficiency, reduced energy costs, and enhanced interior comfort at home.
Aluminum Siding vs Vinyl Cost Analysis
In terms of price, the cost per square foot of these materials tends to be very similar. Aluminum is slightly cheaper on average, while vinyl tends to cost a little more.
These averages don’t factor in the quality of the material you select or the labor involved. If you have a home with a large square footage, you will be looking at spending more on materials and labor. Adding insulation increases those costs, but it’s worth the investment. Overall, both materials and their upfront costs are affordable and will not only enhance curb appeal but also increase the value of your home.
Conclusion: Choosing the Right Siding with Pinnacle Home Improvements
When it comes to a residential building’s exterior, appearance, and durability are huge considerations. As you look to replace your siding on your home, Pinnacle Home Improvements can help you with a seamless project from start to finish.
Our professionals believe in providing perfection in craftsmanship and are happy to provide additional details on the various quality levels of vinyl siding. In terms of cost effectiveness, vinyl is one of the best materials for siding as it provides versatile looks that complement a variety of architectural designs. Contact Pinnacle Home Improvements today to learn more about installation and how we can help you find the perfect fit for your home.
