Vinyl Siding: Philadelphia's New Choice

While brick is definitely the exterior that built Philadelphia, vinyl siding is quickly gaining in popularity in modern times. This trend is not specific to Philadelphia; vinyl siding's many positive qualities have made it the most popular choice for cladding in new homes and remodels across the country. Though it might lack the classic appeal of brick or wood, there are still many reasons to choose vinyl siding for your new home or renovation project.

Benefits and Drawbacks of Vinyl Siding in Philadelphia
Vinyl siding is probably the least expensive choice for a home's exterior. In Philadelphia, vinyl siding installation can range from around $2,000 to $14,000 at the very most. The dramatic difference in price between jobs can probably be attributed to the amount of siding necessary for each home. For example, a house with brick on the bottom and wood shingles on the top floor might benefit from replacing or covering the wood with vinyl and leaving the brick as is. While there are certain cases where vinyl siding is not the least expensive choice initially, over time it is usually the most cost-effective option.

Though vinyl siding tends to expand and contract with changes in temperature, proper installation will ensure that this won't present a problem (even in Philly, where temperature changes throughout the year are quite dramatic). It is also becoming more fade resistant by the year.

One quality of vinyl siding that most people really enjoy is that it is so easy to clean and maintain. It never needs to be painted. When it is scratched, there is no loss of color because the color permeates the entire depth of the panel. To clean vinyl siding, all you need is a run-of-the-mill garden hose, which is a lot less than what is needed for the cleaning and upkeep of almost any other exterior. Washing down vinyl siding must be done carefully, however, as moisture can get trapped behind the panels where it can be a catalyst for mold and mildew growth.

Philadelphia, vinyl siding can, in some cases, make a home less desirable due to the large number of homes built prior to 1940. If you live on a block where most home exteriors are brick, it is possible that installing vinyl siding will make your home more difficult to sell. Though new siding will increase the actual value of your property, it is likely that an investment in cleaning and repairing any existing brick will be more profitable in the end.

While vinyl siding provides better insulation than aluminum siding, it pales in comparison to other cladding materials such as masonry or wood. Philadelphia's long, cold winters won't damage vinyl siding, but it is often necessary to beef up vinyl's insulate properties with another material (unless the vinyl will be installed over an existing exterior) in an area where it gets very cold.

Vinyl Siding and the Environment
In recent years, vinyl siding has been attacked specifically because of its durability. Vinyl siding lasts a long time, and it is dangerous to incinerate because of the chemicals it releases when burned. While it is great having a durable material covering the outside of a home, it is decidedly bad to have that material placed in a landfill.