Aluminum siding is a tried and true siding product. For almost sixty years it has jockeyed for status as the most cost effective, maintenance free, and effective home siding on the market. Few materials pass it up, and if you're aware of its few shortcomings and willing to work around them, you're sure to purchase a long-lasting, nearly maintenance free siding that will beautify your home for years to come.
Why Choose Aluminum Siding?
This is one of the easiest questions to answer in the siding industry. For starters, aluminum is a weather and corrosion resistant material. It won't rot, rust or otherwise let you down. It's also incredibly cost effective when compared to other siding materials. Add to that the facts that it can be repainted if you're looking to improve the looks of your home, and that it can mimic wood siding to a T, and you're talking a siding material that stands heads and tails above the others.
What about Its Faults?
As with any material, aluminum does have a few downsides as a siding product. First and foremost, it isn't as tough as some of the other materials on the market. It can dent and scratch easily in the hands of careless homeowners. Take care with your ladders and keep a can of touch up paint handy to treat any potential blemishes. The other criticism of aluminum siding is that it has a tendency to corrode at times. That shortcoming is more often than not the fault of the homeowner. If you regularly clean your siding, perform maintenance on any dents and scratches, and re-paint your siding every 20 to 30 years when it becomes necessary, you shouldn't have any problems with this popular siding material.
A Few Installation Tips
Another benefit of aluminum is its ease of installation. Whether you're a dedicated do-it-yourselfer, or concerned about what it will cost to have aluminum siding installed by a contractor, you can rest easy that this is one of the most straightforward installation projects in the industry. Due to its relatively lightweight make-up, it's easy to work with, and if you know the ins and outs of the material, it's really easy to put up.
Put Up a Sufficient Backing. Foam board coupled with the appropriate furring not only ensures an even and seamless installation, it increases your home's insulation value as well.
Don't nail the product fast to the structure. Instead, use aluminum nails and be sure never to sink the nails in completely. That extra wiggle room is important since aluminum siding expands and contracts significantly with weather changes.
Plan for Expansion as you cut the materials to size. Remember, aluminum will expand 1/16 to 1/8 inch per 10 foot length in adverse weather, so be sure to account for that when you measure siding material and install it on your home.
By anticipating these common aluminum installation mistakes, you can be sure your aluminum siding will serve you well for years to come. If you have doubts about your ability to install this siding correctly, don't feel shy about contacting an installer experienced in putting up aluminum materials in order to get your new siding installation project underway as soon as possible. 
Matt Goering, formerly a carpenter and house painter, is a freelance writer for the home improvement industry who has published over 600 articles.
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