The siding on your home protects against the elements and helps insulate your house. It also provides a beautiful finish to make your home look elegant and cozy and give it massive curb appeal. Choosing the right siding for your home is vital. One of the most popular options is vinyl. If you're debating whether vinyl is right for your home, here are a few of the well-known pros and cons of this popular material.

PROS

Low Maintenance

One of the most desirable advantages of vinyl is how little maintenance is required to keep it looking good. It never needs to be sanded or stained like wood siding. It also never needs to be repainted. Instead, whenever it gets a little dirty, all that's required is a little water and some mild soap. You can easily spray it down with a garden hose.

Inexpensive

Another major benefit of vinyl is how little it costs compared to other materials like aluminum and wood. The average cost for vinyl is around $2 per square foot, compared to wood siding that averages $7 per square foot.

Doesn't Rot

Vinyl is made of polyvinyl chloride resin, a type of manufactured plastic, so it's moisture-resistant and will never rot. That means you'll never have to replace any rotten panels. It also means that it's resistant to wood-eating pests like termites.

Easy Installation

Vinyl is easy to install, and that means fewer costs for the homeowner and a much quicker turnaround.

CONS

Less Durable

One notable drawback of vinyl siding is that, though it's less expensive, it's not as durable as materials like wood or aluminum. It can crack when hit with a projectile and panels may fall off in high winds. Also, colors can fade in the sun over time, requiring replacement. It's not uncommon for colors to begin fading after 10 or 15 years.

Environmentally Unfriendly

Another drawback of vinyl fencing is that it's not very environmentally friendly, either in its manufacturing or disposal. The manufacturing process creates harmful chemicals, greenhouse gases, and requires large amounts of electricity. While it can be recycled, many recycling centers don't offer vinyl siding recycling, so it often ends up in landfills, and because it's not biodegradable, it will be there for decades. Sometimes it's even burned and that causes very harmful emissions.

Less Visually Appealing

Another drawback of vinyl is that it's not as visually appealing as other materials like wood and that can lessen your home's curb appeal.

For more information about vinyl siding, contact a local siding contractor.