Home Building - Exterior Sidingby: Tammy Crosby
Nothing will impact the appearance of your home more dramatically than the type of siding you choose, so it’s no surprise that homeowners are looking to dress to impress. As you look for exterior siding, look for a material that suits the style of your house, fits your lifestyle and works geographically, because you will be living with your choice of siding for a long, long time.
When it comes to figuring out the cost of having your home sided - size really does matter, since it’s labor more than materials that you’re paying for.
Here is a look at some of the most popular and affordable materials for exterior siding: Solid Wood The first choice for most homeowners is wood, because it stands unmatched for beauty and durability. Wood is available in boards, shingles or shakes. These products are typically made from red or white cedar but they are also available in pine, spruce, redwood, cypress and Douglas fir.
The benefits to going with wood is it offers some insulation value, is easy to repair and install, and is available pre-stained, primed or unfinished in many styles. Some products even come with fire-retarding treatments. The drawback to solid wood siding is that it must be painted or stained, which will add several thousand dollars to the cost of the job and to maintenance expenses in the future. For example, wood shingles cost between $3 and $4 per square foot before staining or painting.
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