Challenge

When it comes to choosing a low-maintenance siding option, some materials require more upkeep than others. Whether you choose wood, stone, vinyl, or even fiber cement, you’ll have some degree of maintenance you’ll have to keep up with for the longevity you want in your siding’s lifespan.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is thought of as relatively maintenance free, but the case is that you just don’t have to paint or refinish it every so often.

The realistic amount of maintenance isn’t so bad. It’s usually a wash every year and replacing tiles that have bent, cracked or warped, which isn’t uncommon. You can get around some of these issues by going for Prodigy’s foam insulated vinyl siding. Insulated vinyl is a lot stronger and more durable, so you won’t see it getting banged up as frequently.

Another potential maintenance issue is making sure no moisture has been trapped under the siding. Because the material isn’t breathable, any moisture caught underneath will accelerate mold, rot, insect infestations, etc. So it’s really important to be aware of that.

So although you don’t have to worry about maintaining certain aspects, it does come with it’s fair share of worries.

Wood Siding

Wood is an incredibly attractive siding option, but it requires a lot of care and maintenance like refinishing and repainting every couple of years. You’ll also want to check for water infiltration to prevent water damage. Moisture can cause a lot of issues and maintenance demands on your wood exterior.

One way around this is to look into modified wood. While it can’t be painted, you save on maintenance demands in that standpoint. It’s also weatherproof, so you won’t see a lot of wood rot issues.

Faux Stone Siding

Stone veneer is pretty resilient to wear and tear, as well as mold and moisture. It’s built for durability and if installed correctly, can last a really long time. It doesn’t really contract or expand, so you won’t see a lot of weather caused cracking. But it isn’t uncommon to see cracks appear in the grout. The process to fix these isn’t impossible, but you do need to gather some materials and it may take some time.

Other than any possible repairs, there isn’t too much upkeep required for the most part. It’s suggested you wash it at least once a year and perform routine inspections looking for cracks you need to repoint or seal.

Fiber Cement Siding

The good thing about fiber cement is that it’s durable, so you don’t have to worry about denting, wear and tear, fading, etc. So in terms of general maintenance in that regard, you have little to worry about.

You also won’t see fiber cement expand and contract with temperature and moisture. Even with the options that mimic the style of wood, you won’t have to worry about moisture based rotting. So you won’t need to replace pieces as often as you might with vinyl or wood.

In terms of general maintenance, it’s recommended you clean wash your siding down once or twice a year.

Solution

So which siding is right for you if you’re looking for the lowest maintenance? Well, I would suggest looking into James Hardie Fiber Cement. It’s strong, durable, and doesn’t expand and contract in the winter and summer, so you won’t see cracks, warping, or any real damage occur. Plus, you can mimic a lot of the styles you’d want from your other options.

Wondering how much it might cost for a lower maintenance option? Click here.