Why Steel Siding Is the Best Material for Cold Climates

Steel Siding Cold Climate Header

Taking the regional climate into account is critical when it comes to making tough building material choices. It is inevitable that certain materials are better equipped to handle specific demands from the environment, with weather being one of the biggest factors. Cold climates can provide significant challenges, including snow, hail, wind, humidity and extreme temperatures.

Cold climates are particularly challenging, because they create a considerable amount of stress on the building. This is due to the fact that the internal building temperature is likely to be much warmer than the exterior building temperature. Because siding is one of the layers serving as a threshold between these two distinct areas of temperature, it can be expected to undergo a significant amount of physical stress.

Steel is an excellent siding choice, adapted quite well for buildings located in cold climates. There are a number of advantages that steel siding has that make it particularly ideal for holding up against the challenges of the cold. Continue reading to learn why steel siding is simply the best material for cold climates.

Easy to Insulate

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High-quality insulation is key for creating a successful cold-weather building. However, some siding choices make the task of installing insulation a nightmare. Because of rigid structures, difficult access points and other various challenges, installing insulation correctly can pose a big problem for certain types of siding, like brick or wood.

Steel siding, however, features a unique, fluid design that allows for easy insulation. Because the application of steel is much less rigid than alternative siding options, like brick or wood, it can accommodate varying levels of insulation, based on the unique needs of your home. Traditional siding issues, like warping, sagging and buckling, are essentially eliminated when steel siding is adopted. In other words, steel siding is adaptable, so it is a great choice that is suitable for different degrees of insulation.

Increased Energy Efficiency

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Because it is so easy to insulate, steel siding helps in creating increased energy efficiency, which can be an incredible advantage for a home in a cold climate. Heating bills can easily skyrocket when a home is not outfitted with the correct insulation necessary for its surrounding environment. By allowing for easy insulation, steel siding can boost a homeโ€™s energy efficiency, ultimately resulting in lower energy bills and decreased energy usage.

No Shifting from Freeze/Thaw Cycles

One of the more turbulent challenges that a cold weather climate presents is a rigorous freeze/thaw cycle. When water enters the structure, either through seams or by permeating the material itself, it can create overwhelming damage because of its expansion during freezing. When the ice thaws and melts away, paneling can often be left buckled, warped, and misaligned. The freeze/thaw cycle can continue repeatedly throughout the winter, causing devastating structural damage to sidingโ€”not to mention peeling paint.

Traditional siding materials, like wood, donโ€™t stand a chance against the harsh effects of a freeze/thaw cycle. However, steel siding has an overwhelming advantage to withstand this phenomenon: itโ€™s non-porous. This means that water cannot seep into the makeup of steel siding, so there is no danger of structural damage due to freezing and expanding water molecules. No matter how many times steel siding endure freezing and thawing temperatures, thereโ€™s no risk of peeling paint, warped panels or skewed beamsโ€”steel siding stays intact!

Weather Resistant = No Cracking

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Finally, another common result of winter weather is cracking. Vinyl, plywood and other weaker siding materials can often see cracked panels as a result of moisture buildup in cold temperatures. When this moisture enters the material and freezes, the material itself often cannot withstand the pressure. In addition to being an eyesore, cracks in the siding can create another pathway for moisture, insects and animals to enter the home. Replacing individual paneling can be costly and create quite a hassle.

The weather resistant qualities of steel enable the siding to maintain its strength and appearance throughout the winter without showing any signs of cracking. As mentioned before, steel is non-porous, which means moisture cannot enter the siding as it can with other materials. Simply put, cracking isnโ€™t a concern with steel!

If you are outfitting a home located in a cold climate, think ahead and choose a siding material that can withstand the cruel elements of winter. By offering easier insulation, increased energy efficiency, and a weather resistant, non-porous composition that fights cracking and warping, steel is the obvious selection for siding.

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