SIDING OPTIONS FOR SOUTHEAST MICHIGAN

Choosing the best siding for SE Michigan homes.

When choosing the best siding for your SE Michigan home, you’ll want to look at the top 4 types of siding used on Michigan homes: Fiber Cement Siding, Vinyl Siding, Brick, and Wood.  Understanding the pros and cons can help you choose the best siding for your Southeast Michigan home.

Chart for siding comparisons including fiber cement

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber Cement Siding is a composite material made of sand, cement, and cellulose fibers. It’s a top-quality product offering ultimate performance. Fiber Cement has an authentic wood-grain appearance making it a popular choice among homeowners.

 

Pros: 

  • It won’t crack, warp, or shrink.
  • It’s rot, insect, and fire resistant.
  • Some insurance companies offer a discount on homes using Fiber Cement Siding.
  • It resists damage caused by wind, hailstorms, high humidity, and freezing temperatures.

Overall, fiber cement siding products, like James Hardie Siding are a great choice for Michigan homeowners

hardieshingles in blue
vinyl siding on home with chimney

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl Siding is primarily made of PVC which is a rigid plastic material.  Vinyl siding has been a popular choice since the 1950’s due to its beauty and affordability. The U.S. Census Bureau states that vinyl siding has been the #1 exterior wall material for over 20 years.  

 

Pros:

  • It’s insect and rot resistant.
  • When installed properly, it won’t absorb moisture.
  • It’s has low maintenance requirements.

If you are looking for a less expensive, low maintenance option, vinyl siding may be for you.

Brick

Homes made of brick are timeless. Their classic appeal never goes out of style. However, traditional brick is one of the most expensive siding options.  In addition, the weight brick siding adds to the foundation often prohibits it from being added to the home after it’s built. Many Michigan homeowners pair brick with lap cement siding to add artistic elements to their homes.

 

Pros:

  • Brick is durable and low maintenance.
  • It’s fire and termite proof.
  • It is resistant to damage caused by most weather elements.
  • It’s one of the most energy efficient siding options.

While brick is timeless, adding brick to your home usually must be done at the time it’s built.

brick siding on home
wood siding with light fixture

Wood Siding

Siding your home with wood has been the traditional choice through the ages. Furthermore, with the many different types of wood pricing can range from budget-friendly to one of the most expensive options. Wood choices include cypress, cedar, and redwood to pine, spruce, and fir, with shingles and planks options available.  

 

Pros:

  • Wood is the most environmentally friendly siding option.
  • Most wood siding is energy efficient.
  • Wood siding looks great in a wide range of stains and paint colors.

While wood is the siding of the ages, it comes with a heavy dose of upkeep.  Regular maintenance is required to keep it look great and performing optimally.

Although options are always great to have, sometimes they make your choosing more difficult.  If you’re in the process of deciding on siding for your Southeast Michigan home, consider the following factors.

 

  1. Durability
  2. Maintenance
  3. Cost
  4. Energy Efficiency
  5. Eco-Friendliness
  6. Design and Color Options

We’ll take a look at how Fiber Cement Siding from James Hardie stands up to other types of siding.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Vinyl Siding

Fiber cement siding and vinyl siding are both durable products that are made to last. Each has reliable manufacturers providing quality products. In addition, both are rot and insect resistant.

 

Fiber Cement Siding and Vinyl are both low maintenance. With baked on color, neither needs to be repainted. In fact, James Hardie’s fiber cement siding comes with a fade warranty. Fiber cement siding can also be ordered primed and ready to paint which allows for more color options. Vinyl Siding will fade over time but can also be repainted using special paints designed for vinyl.

 

When we consider the difference, fiber cement siding is more flame retardant than vinyl. Vinyl can easily be damaged from an outdoor grill burning too close to your home. In addition, fiber cement has high impact and weather resistance.  Vinyl has a higher potential to be damaged from high winds blowing off pieces of siding.

 

On the flip side, vinyl siding is more energy efficient than fiber cement if insulated vinyl is installed.  Fiber cement corrects for this with an extra layer of insulation is installed between your home and the siding. While vinyl has many manufacturers and quality levels on the market, it tends to be less expensive to install than fiber cement.

 

Whether you choose vinyl or fiber cement, you’ll also want to carefully choose the color combination for your siding and trim.  You will also want to consider the resale impact of the color choice before you make your final decision.

Wood Siding vs. Fiber Cement Siding or Vinyl Siding

Wood Siding is one of the most eco-friendly options in siding and is suitable in all climates. It’s highly customizable and retains its resale value if it is well maintained. And, with proper care, wood siding is considered a durable product.

Unlike fiber cement siding and vinyl siding, wood siding requires continual maintenance. In addition, wood is susceptible to insects, moisture, and fire. Fiber cement and vinyl are often less expensive than custom wood options and generally last longer.

Nothing beats the natural appearance of wood, but James Hardie and other luxury fiber cement siding products provide a close alternative.

Fiber Cement Siding vs. Brick

Brick homes have a traditional, classic appearance. They are built to last 100+ years. In fact, bricks often outlast the homes they encase. Brick, like properly installed fiber cement siding, is highly energy efficient. Homeowners can expect cool summers and warm winters inside their cozy homes.

Brick has limited designability in comparison to fiber cement siding. Custom ordering brick colors is generally not an available option.

Brick and fiber cement are both low maintenance products.  They are insect and rot resistant. Furthermore, they are both made from similar fire retardant materials. In fact, many insurance companies will offer discounts to homeowners using brick or fiber cement siding which aren’t available to those with wood or vinyl siding.

Brick is one of the most expensive options in home siding. It is heavy and difficult to install. While both fiber cement siding and brick require professional installation, brick is far more time-consuming to install. And, unfortunately, many homes cannot have brick added after the structure has been built because of the addition weight it puts on the foundation.

Call For Your No Obligation Estimate For
James Hardie Siding

If you would like more information on the pros and cons of your siding options and help choosing the best siding for your SE Michigan home, please call us at 248-238-8132. Our Siding experts at Allied Restoration and Construction are here to help.

 

Allied Construction and Restoration serves SE Michigan from our office in Highland, MI.

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