House Siding 101: What are the Benefits of Using Metal Siding?
The Benefits of Metal Siding
There are many benefits to metal siding you may not realize. Your home’s exterior is the first thing you see when you pull up, and your siding is the main focus. Read our blog by guest blogger Planet Maids to learn why metal siding may be ideal for you!
All information in this blog is the opinions of guest blogger Planet Maids, and is for educational and informational purposes. It is not intended as a substitute for professional advice. Should you decide to act upon any information on this website, you do so at your own risk.
Well, What Are The Benefits?
Also called “wall cladding,” a siding is attached to the exterior side of a house. Its purpose is to protect your home from external elements like the sun, rain, and snow.
That said, it would be best to look for a siding material that is durable and can withstand any weather condition. It should be easy to clean and not quick to damage. It is a bonus if it can help with reducing your electric consumption.
If you are wondering what material you can use, we recommend using metal siding. Here are seven reasons you should do so:
It comes without surprise that metal siding is one of the most robust materials that you can find. It is storm-ready and can withstand almost all weather conditions. No wonder it is popular in tropical areas where monsoons and hurricanes often occur. Because of its durability, metal siding can also provide resistance against fire, termites, mold, mildew, and many more.
And if you use a concealed fastener system to attach your metal siding, it can also protect against leakage. Regardless, your metal siding can last for 50 years with proper care and maintenance.
As mentioned earlier, metal siding can provide resistance against fire. That’s because steel is a non-combustible material.
The steel siding is thick and strong. Hence, it can be beneficial to homeowners, especially if you live in areas that are prone to wildfires.
Nonetheless, you should ensure that it has a Class A fire rating. Such fire rating means that it will prevent the fire from spreading, reducing the risk of damage.
With proper installation, the metal siding will not require high maintenance. All that is left is to ensure that it is clean.
At Planet Maid Service NYC, we recommend power washing your metal siding. You can also mix 1/3 cup of liquid detergent and 6 gallons of water.
But before you power wash your metal siding, remember to turn off any breakers that provide exterior electrical services. This includes the light and power outlets outside your house.
Once all is taken care of, you can follow these steps:
- Use a soft-bristled deck brush or a telescoping handled brush with a bucket of water to loosen any grime or dirt. Stroke horizontally, first, and then stroke vertically.
- Spray a 1:3 solution of regular bleach and water. This is to prevent any mold and mildew from building up.
- Set your power washer on the lowest setting and apply your cleaning solution. Work in sections, and remember to rinse the siding with plain water.
As long as you do not let the soapy solution dry on the siding, you are good to go. The metal siding can dry on its own.
If installed correctly, your metal siding can help you consume energy efficiently.
That’s because it comes with proper insulation. As such, it helps your indoor temperature to stay cool during summer. It also reflects the sun’s radiant heat away from your house, ensuring comfort on a hot day.
The insulation also reduces air infiltration. Hence, the warmth stays indoors during winter. This means that overworking your HVAC is unnecessary. But remember that your metal siding should be installed using a Concealed Fastener System for it to be energy efficient. For one, it prevents air leakage and boasts a clean look. As such, it gives your siding (and your house) a modern look.
Many siding colors are also “Cool Colors”. “Cool” coatings utilize infrared (IR) reflective pigments that have been altered chemically and physically to reflect UV lights, reducing the temperature around them home.
In case you do not know, metal is the most recycled material in North America. In addition, metal sidings are made of recycled materials. They are also likely to be recycled again at the end of their lifetime.
To put it simply, you help curb sending waste to the landfill. And the best thing about it is that you do not have to worry about disposing of your siding. That’s because you can send it to the recycling facility.
The best part is that using metal siding can help you build your LEED or Green Building credits. This will allow you to reap some benefits like zoning allowance, tax rebate, and faster lease-up rates.
More and more households are using metal siding to improve their home’s curb appeal. Luckily, siding panels these days come in various colors and styles and do not look metal at all.
There are even those that resemble the look of the wood grain. You can consider this if you want to achieve a natural look but with the many benefits mentioned above.
You can also install the following types of residential metal siding to improve your house’s curb appeal:
- Corrugated Metal Siding. It has been used for a long time since its wave design can help hide imperfections.
- Standing Seam Metal Siding. It has crisp lines that require very little maintenance.
- Batten Metal Siding. This is ideal if you want to achieve a traditional look for your house.
- Box Rib Metal Siding. It has solid and bold lines, which is suitable for achieving a sturdy but visually pleasing look.
- All-Purpose Metal Siding. It is easy to install and can last a long time.
Regardless of the color, size, and style of your siding, it can add a distinct look to your home.
This may be surprising but installing metal sidings can also help with repelling insects.
Pests tend to hide under the siding. However, they do hate metal. That’s because they cannot sink their teeth on metal. And it’s hot and slick surface is unpleasant to cling to, either.
This means that you do not have to worry too much about pest infestation if you install steel siding.
Conclusion
If you are looking to install a new siding in your home, consider using steel or metal.
For one, it is more durable than vinyl and can withstand almost any weather condition. Second, it has many energy-efficient properties. So much so that it can reduce the workload for your HVAC system.
Lastly, steel siding is easy to maintain. That’s because they can resist warping, fading, chipping, and cracking. This means you do not have to spend most of your weekends repairing your siding.
An occasional rinse, and you are good to go.
Simply put, you cannot go wrong with installing metal siding for your house.
– Planet Maids
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