Vinyl is the siding material of choice for many homeowners in Chicago, and for good reasons. Not only is vinyl inexpensive, but it also comes with prized features that you won’t find in any other material. Of course, like other siding materials, vinyl has its fair share of weaknesses that you might want to watch out for when you decide to install one. Here are some of the issues with vinyl siding installation, which are actually easy to fix.
Not as Appealing as Wood or Stone
When it comes to appearance, vinyl isn’t particularly the most attractive of your choices. Well, that’s because it isn’t made to have a single appearance, but to mimic the appearance of other materials. If you want the appearance of wood or stone siding but can’t afford a genuine one, you can always opt for vinyl with wood or stone features. It looks so authentic you can feel the roughness of its texture just by looking at it.
It Fades after a Few Years
Any material fades when exposed to the elements, particularly to the sun. It’s just that some materials fade much faster than others. It so happens that vinyl isn’t especially resistant to fading due to the sun’s UV rays. Thankfully, vinyl is basically plastic, which makes it one of the best surfaces to coat. Painting your vinyl siding increases its protection against fading, so you can literally prolong vinyl siding and make it last for as long as the hardiest siding materials available.
Needs to Be Cleaned Regularly
Like any other siding material, vinyl is exposed to all kinds of natural forces. Dust, insects, and wind, you name it, your vinyl siding faces them head on. Unfortunately, even if vinyl is tough enough to avoid damage, it can’t quite avoid getting grubby over time. This is why you need to clean it on a regular basis, or else, it will make your home look old and unhygienic. The good news is that vinyl siding is very easy to clean, too, since dust and grime don’t adhere well on its surface, so you won’t have a hard time accomplishing this new chore.
Might Need Backup Insulation
Although vinyl siding is a light and tough, it doesn’t provide as much insulation as stucco or LP smartside siding does. With proper installation and additional backup on its underside, however, you can make vinyl siding insulate your home just as excellently as its counterparts. You also have to seal every corner of it properly as it is susceptible to moisture problems.
You can face a lot of different issues when you install any kind of siding, not just vinyl. The good news is that you don’t have to do the installation by yourself. Especially if you have no prior experience installing siding, it isn’t advisable to go DIY. Siding installation isn’t something you can do effectively without proper training and many years of experience. You can always call in a professional siding installer like Muller Exteriors to install your siding. They’ve been doing this for many years so there’s a good chance you can have the most durable vinyl siding you can ever dream of on your home in no time.
