When considering vinyl siding options for your home, it’s easy to feel lost. There are lots of different kinds of siding, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
If you’re a New Jersey homeowner who needs help making an informed decision about which type of vinyl siding is best, allow us to help.
At New America Construction, we offer the best siding installation services in Woodland Park, and the greater New Jersey area. We are a certified siding contractor with over 20 years of experience and thousands of satisfied customers.
Before we get into the different types of vinyl siding, let’s take a look at the benefits of vinyl siding compared to other types of siding such as cedar and aluminum.
Benefits Of Vinyl Siding for New Jersey Homeowners
Cost
Vinyl siding is a bit cheaper than other types, costing an average of 11% less than cedar siding, and almost 26% less than aluminum.
Those savings start to add up pretty quick when you’re building or renovating your house.
And thanks to our experience, we at New America Construction offer the most cost-effective vinyl siding installation in Woodland Park, NJ that fits your budget.
Durability
The top layer in vinyl siding accounts for about 25% of the thickness, resulting in enhanced durability and weatherability.
Usually, vinyl siding comprises two layers of PVC laid down in a continuous extrusion process. This gives the product much better rigidity, and prevents it from deforming or warping over time.
So, New Jersey homeowners can expect vinyl siding to hold up better against rain, excess humidity, and the like.
UV Protection
The capstock in vinyl siding contains about 10% titanium dioxide.
This pigment gives vinyl siding its unique coloring, and also makes it less prone to breaking down when exposed to UV rays from sunlight for long periods.
If your New Jersey home gets a lot of sunlight, vinyl siding is one of the best options.
Color
Many New Jersey homeowners prefer the aesthetics of vinyl siding over cedar or aluminum.
Vinyl siding is 100% homogeneous, meaning the pigments on top run all the way through, resulting in deeper coloring and a more appealing look. Moreover, you have a lot more options for the color with vinyl siding, compared to cedar or aluminum.
The fade rate of vinyl siding is significantly lower than other types of siding, so you can expect it to retain its look for years to come.
Combustion Resistance
The PVC resin that makes up around 80% of the weight of vinyl siding is flame retardant, so it won’t support combustion. Additionally, this makes it a lot easier to extinguish fires.
Installation
As one of the oldest siding contractors in Woodland Park, NJ, we find that vinyl siding is a lot easier and quicker to install than other types. It requires less manpower and the installation process is hassle-free.
The Different Types Of Vinyl Siding
Now, let’s talk about some of the different types of vinyl siding and the benefits of each.
It’s important to pick the type of vinyl siding that fits in with your house’s aesthetic and offers the most curb appeal. The different types of vinyl siding will also have different practical benefits as well, as we’ll get into below.
Clapboard
Clapboard, commonly known as horizontal siding, is a tried-and-tested style of vinyl siding. This style has been prevalent since Colonial times, and offers a timeless look that you just can’t go wrong with.
We use long narrow planks, about 4 inches wide, when installing this siding on New Jersey homes. The planks are mounted to the walls lengthwise, so the end product resembles wood and doesn’t look ostentatious.
The planks overlap, which casts adds a bit more depth and a cool design cue without looking gaudy. Clapboard is the default choice for any New Jersey homeowner looking to get siding installed on their house.
Traditional Lap
Traditional lap is often mistaken for clapboard. And while the two do share a lot of similarities, the planks used for traditional lap are between 6” to 7” inches wide, compared to 4” on clapboard.
And because these planks use a wedge shape to achieve the overlapping look, they are better for shedding water, which in turn protects your walls from developing mold, becoming warped, or waterlogged.
Dutch Lap
Dutch lap is another popular style of siding. One of the key differences is that the angle of the beveled edge is a bit more aggressive, which gives dutch lap siding its unique design. This is one of the more inspired choices for siding for your New Jersey home, and makes for a really appealing look.
And unlike the other types of siding which are installed one plank at a time, dutch lap is installed one section at a time.
Wood Grain
As the name suggests, wood grain vinyl siding is designed to mimic the natural texture of wood. This gives your house that warm, inviting look, reminiscent of actual wood exteriors. The surface of this siding is also stained and treated to look like wood, which is a plus.
However, wood grain vinyl siding is more durable than actual wood so you don’t have to worry about problems like rot, water damage and the like. Wood grain can be installed in vertical or horizontal planks, depending on your preference.
Beaded Seam
In the past, beaded seam siding was pretty much reserved for the most high-end of houses, because of how time consuming and labor-intensive it was to make.
This vinyl siding comes with a rounded notch cut into the bottom edge, which adds a beautiful character line and casts a subtle shadow. This is another great style of vinyl siding, and won’t look out of place on your New Jersey house.
Board and Batten
Immediately, you will notice how wide the planks used for this type of vinyl siding are. They can be as much as 12” wide, and might remind you of the siding traditionally used for barns and other large rural buildings.
The ‘battens’ are thinner planks of wood that go in the gap between the wider boards and offer a more ambitious design than other types of siding. You also have the option of using different colors for the boards and battens.
This type of siding is ideal for larger houses, and gives them a very trim look.
Cedar Shake
Traditional cedar shakes were made by splitting a cedar log and cutting the wood into large wedge-shaped pieces. Because this process was done by hand, there was a lot of variation in the texture, size and shape.
Cedar shake vinyl siding offers higher durability and ease of installation than real cedar wood. Not to mention, real cedar wood dries out and discolors over time, whereas vinyl does not.
As for the aesthetic, it is undeniably beautiful. The unique color and texture give your house an almost rustic feel.
Traditional Shake
Traditional shake is also known as straight edge siding. It has a textured surface, but the edges remain perfectly straight, making for a cleaner look and easier installation.
This is another fine choice of vinyl siding, especially if you want your house to have a unique look.
Hand-Split Shakes
Hand-split shakes, also called staggered-edge siding, offer a slightly non-uniform look that really goes well with larger properties and houses. With vinyl, these can be manufactured in large sections, which make them a lot easier to install than individual pieces.
Half-Round (Scalloped)
This style of vinyl siding is really for the person who wants their New Jersey home to stand out from others on the block. It is often called fish-scale siding as well, owing to its unique look.
It’s definitely a daring style of vinyl siding, but one that looks unlike anything else out there. The sharp curve on the bottom edge adds a lot more drama and pizzaz to this vinyl siding, compared to others.
Log Vinyl Siding
And finally, we have log vinyl siding. This gives your house that classic log cabin look, without any of the drawbacks, such as the need for extensive maintenance, and the inevitable discoloration of wood.
It’s another bold design, but one that really stands out. The best part is that because it’s vinyl, the look is preserved for years to come.
Alternative: James Hardie Fiber Cement
If you’re looking for an alternative to vinyl siding that offers a lot of the same benefits as well as improving in some areas.
James Hardie fiber cement gives an even more hyper realistic wooden look than vinyl. These planks produce a more convincing wood look with better grooves and texture.
Another plus point of James Hardie fiber cement is its exceptional durability. Like vinyl siding, it resists rot, pests, and water damage. However, it is also less prone to warping, and the weatherability is even higher than vinyl siding.
Another huge benefit of James Hardie fiber cement planks is the use of ColorPlus technology that bakes color onto the plank, making it longer lasting and even less prone to fading over time.
As for drawbacks, James Hardie fiber cement is denser than vinyl siding, so the installation will require a bit more time and effort. Similarly, while both need minimal upkeep and maintenance compared to wood, James Hardie fiber cement planks will need caulking around the joints and may also need to be repainted over time.
Still, it’s a great alternative, if not an upgrade, to vinyl siding.
At New America Construction Consultation and Estimates are totally free for every homeowner interested in getting a quote for Siding Installation or Siding Repair.
Looking for help for an Exterior Contractor company in Woodland Park New Jersey? Call New America Construction for a free estimate 973-804-9400.
