Newark Metal Siding: Steel vs. Aluminum Siding

The previous generation of homeowners wouldn't think twice about installing metal siding for their homes. Today, vinyl and fiber-cement siding consume the majority of the market and for good reason. Improvements in these siding materials have outstripped older forms of metal siding. Not to be so easily outdone, metal siding has recently fought back with improvements of its own. Steel siding is not the torch-bearer for the unique benefits of metal siding.

Newark Aluminum Siding
The history of metal siding in Newark begins with aluminum siding. One of the least expensive and most durable early forms of residential siding, aluminum used to dominate the siding market. The one downside to aluminum siding is that the metal is susceptible to impact damage, such as hail, baseballs, and lawn mowers. This damage isn't fatal by any means to aluminum siding. It will still perform the basic functions of residential siding, but the resulting dents will quickly become an eyesore that ruins your home's curb appeal. Thicker lines of aluminum siding reduce this risk of damage, but thicker aluminum increases the cost of the siding to the point where alternative materials make more sense for homeowners.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Metal Siding in Newark, NJ
Essentially, all metal siding shares some of the same benefits. First, it requires almost no upkeep. To preserve the look of metal siding, you will need to repaint it from time to time, but otherwise the siding can be left to its own devices. Secondly, it resists nearly all weathering factors, including wind, rain, sun, heat, and cold. It's also one of the most impervious siding materials to pest and fire. The only consistent drawback to metal siding is that without the right foam backing, it won't provide much insulation for your home.

Newark Steel Siding
If you're choosing metal siding for your home today, the best metal is steel. In the past, steel siding wasn't a viable option because of its tendency to quickly rust. With baked-on coatings, steel is as resistant to rust and corrosion as aluminum. These coatings will also improve your decorative options, provide the insulation for your siding, and won't affect the naturally toughness of steel. Better yet, steel can be custom-made for the exact dimensions of your home. This seamless steel installation eliminates the need for joints between panels or shingles, the common weak point of any siding installation. Simply put, seamless, treated steel siding is the most reliable, impenetrable siding installation you can choose.

Cost of Newark Metal Siding
As aluminum set the standard for low-cost siding, metal siding remains one of the least expensive siding options available to homeowners. Coated, seamless steel siding is significantly more expensive than the cheap stuff, but no more expensive than other forms of siding. Vinyl has also seen a number of upgrades over the years, creating various levels of cost for this single material. Thus, the cheapest vinyl is going to cost less than a quality steel siding installation, but apples-for-apples, metal siding remains one of the most cost effective ways to go.

Newark Metal Siding Installation
No matter type of siding you choose, without proper installation you have no hope of generating a long-term, hassle-free solution for your home's siding. Most manufacturer warranties will be voided if the siding isn't installed as designed. To this end, ServiceMagic can help you find a reliable Newark metal siding contractor. The previous downturn of aluminum siding has corresponded to fewer and fewer siding contractors who specialize in metal siding installation. We can put you in touch with contractors who have been put through a rigorous 10-step screening process. You'll also be able to view other Newark homeowners' feedback about their experience with individual contractors and their general advice for siding installation.

Rate This Article

OVERALL RATING Be first to rate this article!

YOUR RATING

Saving Rating...

Log-in to save your ratings!

Recommend This Article

Digg
Reddit
Del.icio.us

ServiceMagic Articles To-Go