The thing that impacts the appearance of your house the most is its exterior siding. In addition to selecting a siding for its aesthetic qualities, more homeowners are looking for environmentally friendly options as well. Following are four eco-friendly, exterior siding options.
- Cedar Shingle Siding: This nature-friendly exterior siding is made from natural cedar. It is known for having the look of real wood and is commonly referred to as “shakes.” It can be stained, which many do in earthy colors like warm browns and cooling grays. These meld beautifully with natural surroundings. Staining cedar shingle siding, as opposed to painting it, has two benefits, ie; (i) it minimizes peeling; and is (ii) more environmentally friendly than using some paints.
- Aluminum: While vinyl siding is a more popular, less expensive option, aluminum siding is the more environmentally friendly option. Other advantages of this exterior siding: (i) it’s fireproof; (ii) it won’t crack like vinyl; (iii) it is easy to maintain; and (iv) it is very durable.
- Brick: Brick is one of the longest-lasting exterior siding options around. It literally lasts hundreds of years. And, you won’t have to worry about making any repairs to it for at least a quarter century. Because brick is made from natural elements (ie, fired clay), it is eco-friendly. It also comes in a wide variety of colors, making it an attractive choice for any home.
- Cement Fiber: Cement fiber is an exciting choice in exterior siding because it is mercurial. It can look like stucco, or wood, or masonry. So for example, if you want your home to have the look of natural wood, but you don’t want the maintenance associated with natural wood, cement fiber siding is an excellent choice. This exterior siding also offers several other benefits, eg, it resists termites, is fireproof and has warranties that extend up to 50 years in some cases.
There are several things to keep in mind when choosing your home’s exterior siding, eg, the climate you live in, the maintenance required, repairs to expect, etc. A professional exterior siding contractor can help you decide which option is right for your home based on all of these intangibles.
