Steel is one of the strongest siding materials available on the market today. With steel siding, homeowners can expect to have a long-lasting exterior that looks and performs great for years down the line — with minimal maintenance!
Steel siding typically lasts much longer than other siding materials because of its enhanced strength and durability. It is better adapted to withstand threats from the elements that can otherwise ruin the siding.
Keep reading to find out how steel siding can outperform other siding materials and prove to be a much longer-lasting exterior.
Common Siding Problems Can Be Avoided with Steel
Wood, vinyl, brick, and fiber cement are quite vulnerable to some of the most basic threats from the outdoors. No matter how much these materials are reinforced — whether by additional coats of paint, caulking, or resealing — they can still suffer damage from hail, wind, wildlife, and changes in temperature.
Hail damage is one of the biggest culprits when it comes to siding damage. It usually results in dents that vary in size, so hail damage is extremely difficult to repair. It is very noticeable, so most homeowners end up needing a full replacement of siding sections to correct the damage. Hail damage can be avoided with stronger siding materials that are built to be durable. Steel siding boasts a Class 4 Impact Rating, which means it’s much better suited to tolerate hail impact and resist damage, avoiding the need for premature repairs and replacement.
Fire damage is another big concern for most siding materials — especially wood and vinyl. When a fire breaks out at home, life and property are often at stake, so every minute matters when it comes to putting out the flames and stopping the spread of fire damage. Steel has a Class A Fire Rating, which means it is fire resistant. This is a huge factor when determining how long steel siding lasts.
Insect damage is another risk that can ruin traditional siding. Unlike wood and wood-based siding products, steel is not attractive to destructive insects, like termites..
Finally, let’s talk about what’s perhaps considered the biggest threat to siding longevity: water. Moisture can do damage in many ways, causing wood panels to sag and weaken, leaving ugly water stains on vinyl, and promoting mold and mildew growth on any surfaces that soak up moisture. Steel siding prevents all of these problems, allowing the exterior to last a much longer time and stay blemish-free.
Steel Siding is Adapted for All Climates
These advantages make steel a great siding choice that can be adapted for all climates. When anticipating how long a siding product will last, homeowners often have to consider their unique environment — seasonal snowstorms, coastal humidity, dry and arid settings that spark wildfires, etc. Steel is equipped to handle weather threats from a wide range of climates, meaning it can be counted on to last a long time regardless of the unique conditions.
Low-Maintenance Longevity
One reason that wood, vinyl, brick and other siding materials don’t last as long as steel is because they require constant upkeep in order to prolong their lifespan. Painting, caulking, sealing, and realignment can all help prolong standard siding products.
The reality is that most homeowners don’t keep up with siding maintenance as much as they should. This means lingering damage and disrepair can end up cutting the lifespan of certain products short, eventually leading to a full siding replacement. Choosing a maintenance-free option like steel is a great choice for homeowners who want a long-lasting product that they won’t need to invest much time, energy, or money in maintaining.
Get Long-Term Color Consistency with Steel Siding
How long does steel siding last? Most experts estimate that 50 years is a conservative estimate for the lifespan of steel siding. That’s 50 years of little to no maintenance, compared to wood siding, which typically needs a fresh coat of paint every 2 or 3 years, so the difference is obvious. In fact, steel siding is designed to maintain its original color consistency year after year, meaning no painting or staining is ever necessary.
TruLog offers long-lasting steel siding in a wide range of colors and styles, which makes home renovation projects a fun and easy task. Their wood-style steel products that recreate the warmth and texture of natural wood grain patterning make the design possibilities endless!
For a long-lasting siding product you can count on, contact TruLog today to explore the options.