A Place for Baby

If it's time to replace the old aluminum siding on your home, you may want to switch to vinyl. Vinyl has advantages over aluminum, and because of that, it has quickly become a popular choice among homeowners. Here's a look at a few of the ways vinyl is superior to aluminum.

Color Doesn't Scratch Off Vinyl Siding

Vinyl and aluminum siding differ in the ways they are manufactured. Color dye is added at the time the vinyl is produced so the color is uniform throughout the panels. Aluminum has color baked onto the surface. The difference is important because when the color is the same deep inside the panels, it is easier to hide damage. If an aluminum panel is scratched or dented, the top layer is scraped off and bare metal shows through. This is an eyesore unless you repair the damage to cover it up. When a vinyl panel is scratched, the scratch is the same color since there is no surface layer to scrape off. This makes minor damage invisible, so there is a reduced need to make repairs.

Vinyl Is More Durable Under Normal Conditions

You may think aluminum is stronger than vinyl since it is metal, but vinyl is actually a more durable choice in siding. One reason for this is that vinyl siding is thicker than aluminum siding. Since it is fairly thin, aluminum siding dents easily. Vinyl doesn't dent because it is somewhat flexible. It absorbs blows and bounces back into shape. Vinyl is also able to expand and contract along with temperature changes. This helps it avoid cracking. The only time vinyl is not as strong as aluminum is when it is subjected to temperature extremes. For instance, it can melt when touched by fire and it could potentially crack in extremely cold temperatures.

Vinyl Siding Requires Very Little Care

One of the best benefits of vinyl siding is that it needs very little maintenance. The color never peels or flakes, so you won't have to paint your house once you have vinyl siding installed. If aluminum siding gets a lot of damage from kids or a hail storm, you may need to paint it to even out repairs or replaced panels. At the very least, you'll need to touch up the paint to cover scratches and dents. Aluminum siding also forms a chalky layer that has to be washed off occasionally. Since vinyl is durable, it won't sustain much damage that needs repairs. You may want to wash it every few years with a hose or power washer to clear away pollution, bird droppings, and other stains, but besides that, you won't have to do much work to keep vinyl siding looking nice for years to come.

Another thing to consider about upgrading to vinyl is that it could make your home more attractive to potential buyers some day. Aluminum is not as popular as it once was, and because vinyl has some nice advantages, it should make your home more appealing to future buyers. Contact a company like Welty Custom Exteriors, Inc to learn more.