Wood Composite Siding:
Composite wood siding is attractive, affordable, and easy to install. If your home was built in Boise, Meridian, or Nampa in the mid 2000’s, there is a very good chance that you’ve got a wood composite siding product with no moisture barrier or wrap underneath. Today, it is still a favorite siding material for new home builders who are looking to cut costs. Some of todays wood composite materials are engineered to resist moisture and bugs. Currently about 80% of the customers that call us for a siding replacement bid, have some type of wood composite, and unfortunately most of these homes were built less than 10 years ago. It is was one of the most affordable siding materials, but costs are risen over the past few years, and because it requires more maintenance than other siding types including painting or staining, it may end up costing even more in the long run. Wood composite normally offers little fire, insect, or water damage resistance.

Aluminum Siding:
Aluminum has been a good option for homeowners that require a lower maintenance siding product. It is offered in many different sizes, textures, and colors. Aluminum siding is very durable and resistant to moisture, fire, and bugs. Some of the common complaints are fading color (even when pre-painted or finished) , noise, and the ugly dents and dings. It is also more difficult to perform custom trim work with aluminum siding. To combat the dents and dings, some aluminum siding products have a protective vinyl or plastic type of coating. Aluminum siding is moderately priced unless it is the coated variety, which tends to be much more expensive.

Vinyl Siding:
After aluminum, vinyl was sort of the next step in the evolution of a siding product that offered a low cost and low maintenance home exterior. You probably remember in the early 2000’s, vinyl was the new craze, everyone wanted it. Even though it is now less popular, vinyl is still commonly used today, and comes in many different styles, textures, and sizes. Vinyl requires very little maintenance, is affordable, moisture and insect resistant, but offers no fire resistance. Our most common siding repair calls are to repair vinyl cracking, warping, melting, or flapping (noise).

James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding:
We saved the best for last (ok we are a little biased – James Hardie fiber cement is our favorite). Fiber cement offers the look of natural wood, is extremely low maintenance, and one of the most (if not THE most) durable siding products available today. We’ve seen the sledge hammer home show displays that try to show that other composite materials are stronger, but when tested in its intended environment (on a house), there is nothing better. It offers maximum fire, water, insect, and damage resistance. (see chart below) It offers the highest return on investment of any other siding material, and is virtually maintenance free. The costs for fiber cement siding are typically higher than the other siding materials.