Choosing a beautiful, efficient and long-lasting siding for your home can be an overwhelming task—and that’s partly because of the broad range of materials that are available on the market today. It is important to consider different factors that can affect the performance and value of the material you will install. In this article, a professional siding contractor breaks down the key ingredients that make up the perfect siding. Tiger Vinyl Siding will help you out in choosing what siding is best for your commercial building.

Commercial siding is a great way to improve your commercial building’s energy-efficiency, appearance, and durability. But what type of commercial siding should you choose? When choosing commercial siding, there are three major factors to consider.

Finish and Material

Material and finish are going to be your first concerns. There are a few popular types of siding:

1. Vinyl

• Likely the easiest to maintain and most affordable option, vinyl comes in durable, attractive plastic planks that are hung either vertically or horizontally. Vinyl comes in many different colors, textures, and styles, including some that match the appearance of wood and brick siding.

1. Wood

• Wood siding is often used for a rustic appearance. It comes in large shingles and smaller shakes, and is usually installed in rows, with each single hanging vertically. Cedar siding is popular because cedar naturally repels both water and insects. Wood siding can take more time to clean and maintain than vinyl but adds more value.

1. Brick

• Brick facades are frequently used to protect the exterior of a building from the elements, and it also provides a significant amount of insulation. Brick facades are more expensive than vinyl or wood, and they usually need a moisture barrier behind them, as otherwise they may leak water. However, they also come in a number of finishes, depending on the color of brick and the style of facade.

The type of siding you choose is going to be dependent on your budget and the look that you want for your commercial building.

Style

The style of your commercial siding will be largely aesthetic, down to the color, pattern, and texture you want your building to have. In general, vinyl offers the most style options, because it can be acquired in virtually any color and texture. Wood tends to have a more narrow range of styles, and brick facades usually come down to the type of brick that is used.

You can go to a siding showroom and review many types of commercial siding style before you commit to one. In particular, take samples of the colors you’re interested in: the colors may look different in your location, due to the sunlight and other surrounding elements.

Price

Budget is another important factor in siding installation or replacement. Your project estimates will vary depending on the material you want to install, the size of your house and the expertise of the contractor. Vinyl and aluminum are often two of the most affordable options, while brick and stone fall in much higher price ranges.

Maintenance

Siding is usually chosen based on aesthetic, durability, and maintenance. Vinyl siding is the easiest to maintain. It needs to be rinsed and washed off periodically, and otherwise it maintains itself. Wood siding may need to be cleaned off more frequently, as it can attract mold and mildew (especially in more humid areas). Brick siding doesn’t require direct maintenance, but it can lead to water issues if the water barriers aren’t properly installed.

Most commercial siding isn’t going to require a lot of maintenance, regardless of material and style. Commercial siding is designed to be durable and low maintenance, lasting a long time, and protecting the building’s structure. All types of siding should still be inspected regularly for damage and repaired as needed.

There are many types of commercial siding available. If you’re still wondering which materials, styles, and installation types would be best for you, it’s time to consult the professionals for a quote and a consultation.