Aluminum siding is an attractive and durable choice for the exterior of any home. As a material, aluminum is highly prized because it is easy to put up and requires very little maintenance over its lifetime. While the past couple decades have seen vinyl siding rise in popularity, there are still several reasons why you might opt for aluminum for your southern California home.
Benefits of Aluminum Siding in Los Angeles
Los Angeles aluminum siding is not just another pretty face; sure, it will certainly give your home a brand new look, but there are physical benefits of choosing aluminum as well. Aluminum siding is corrosion- and rust-resistant, and while L.A. comes in relatively low on the precipitation scale, when there is enough moisture in the air these qualities are definitely a plus.
Wood siding is one of the oldest cladding materials around, and aluminum siding was made to compete with it. It can do an excellent job of mimicking wood grain, and after it's painted you'll have the appearance of wood without several of its drawbacks. Aluminum siding will not warp or rot due to moisture or exposure, and bugs won't burrow into it.
There are also benefits of choosing aluminum siding over the ever-popular vinyl. Vinyl siding can fade over time, especially when exposed to a lot of direct sunlight, certainly a possibility in Los Angeles; aluminum siding is meant to be painted, unlike vinyl where painting is never recommended. So you can not only give a lift to the existing color, but you have the ability to change it if you like. Vinyl siding is also more difficult to put up, and usually requires a professional crew; on the other hand, a do-it-yourselfer with a moderate knowledge of building should be able to install aluminum.
L.A. Aluminum Siding Drawbacks
As with any material, there are certain drawbacks to aluminum siding, even in an environment that's as forgiving as Los Angeles. Aluminum siding can be scratched; unlike vinyl, which is the same color all the way through, a scratch on aluminum will expose the metal underneath and be more noticeable. Vinyl siding is very good at resisting dents from minor impacts, but it can crack under pressure. Aluminum siding can be dented if it is hit hard enough; it won't crack, but if enough pressure is applied to it, it can bend.
For many people, the main drawback of aluminum siding is that it's not a classic material. Things like stone, wood, and brick are more expensive, but when appearances are a concern (and we are talking about L.A. here), many people don't mind paying to have the look of a more time-honored cladding for their home.
Los Angeles Aluminum Siding Prices
Aluminum is generally a little more expensive per square foot than vinyl, but is far less expensive than stone, brick, or wood. If you have some experience and want to do the job yourself, the savings can be very significant, and, unlike most other sidings, aluminum gives you that option. To install aluminum siding professionally, Los Angeles residents should expect the cost to average around $12,000; jobs vary in length, but most are finished within about two weeks.

Jon Nunan is a freelance writer who draws on his experience in construction, ranging from landscaping to log home building, for his articles on home improvement.