There are various types of vinyl siding that look like wood, but some homeowners aren’t keen on the idea of using a plastic-based exterior on their home. Vinyl offers better strength than wood, but it still comes with concerns. So, what’s the best solution for getting a good-looking exterior without all the extra work?
Take a look at some of the reasons why homeowners often turn to vinyl siding that looks like wood instead of the old-fashioned timber, as well as another alternative that is better than both of these materials: wood-look steel. Before you rule it out, it’s worth familiarizing yourself with this heavy-duty siding that showcases the allure of wood but without all of the intensive maintenance.
Wood Siding Maintenance Woes
Wood siding certainly adds character to the home — but it comes at a cost. Wood is a natural material, and because of this, it is extremely vulnerable to the elements. Wind, moisture, sun, heat, ice, and insects are all major threats to the beauty and structural integrity of wood siding. Unfortunately, houses with wood siding see a lot of exterior damage, and the routine maintenance costs can add up to a ton of time, money, and energy.
Rotting and moldy boards are one of the biggest problems with wood siding. Wood absorbs moisture naturally, and when moisture lingers, it leads to serious problems. The scary thing about this is that moisture damage can occur in any climate, not just in areas prone to flooding. Humid coastal regions, as well as areas that see regular rainfall or snowy winters can all be at risk of moisture damage with wood siding.
Temperature swings can also drastically affect natural wood siding. In hot weather, wood swells and expands, while cold temperatures cause it to shrink up again. Seasonal weather changes put a lot of pressure on wood siding, and with all the constant swelling and shrinking, wood panels can become incredibly misshapen, loose, and damaged.
Then, there’s the concern over insect damage and pest control. Wood is a natural resource, meaning termites, woodpeckers, and rodents consider it the perfect place to explore and nest. This sort of damage can be frustrating and costly.
Vinyl Siding that Looks Like Wood – Without the Deterioration
For all these reasons and more, homeowners tend to seek out vinyl siding that looks like wood. After all, the aesthetic value of wood is incredible, and it really does have a charming appearance that many find desirable for their home.
Vinyl outperforms wood in all the above-mentioned risks. It does not absorb water the same way wood does, nor does it shift in size because of changes in temperature. Some shifting is common with vinyl siding that looks like wood, but not nearly at the same rate as natural wood. In addition, vinyl siding is often less attractive to pests like termites who feast on wood.
However, before jumping to vinyl siding that looks like wood, it’s important to note that while vinyl may be better equipped to handle some of the areas where wood fails, it’s certainly far from perfect. In fact, vinyl shares many of the other downfalls of wood, like flammability and weakness under high wind gusts.
Some homeowners like to cut down on the amount of plastic-based materials present in their home, meaning vinyl siding that looks like wood is not a suitable solution.
Wood-Look Siding That’s Even Better Than Vinyl
Super durable and built to outperform wood and vinyl, TruLog board and batten siding is an excellent solution for getting the natural-looking allure of wood without all the incessant and costly upkeep. Crafted from high grade steel, TruLog siding offers a wide range of wood-inspired designs — all with modern and traditional colors that reflect natural timber selections, like pine, cedar, walnut and farmhouse white.
The beauty of TruLog siding is that it’s maintenance-free. Wood siding requires routine caulking, painting, and individual panel replacement due to damage, but wood-look steel siding is built to last season after season — all while maintaining its original allure. Vinyl can falter under high wind gusts and hail, but heavy-duty steel provides the enhanced durability that homeowners need to avoid costly repairs, thanks to a Class 4 Impact Rating. Trulog board and batten also has a Class A Fire Rating, making it a much safer option than wood or vinyl.
In addition, steel offers the additional advantage of a super easy installation process. TruLog board and batten siding is built with an innovative lock-in design that simplifies the installation process and speeds up siding projects overall.
There’s no need to settle for vinyl siding that looks like wood. TruLog board and batten siding provides homeowners with the enhanced durability of maintenance-free steel. Contact TruLog today to check out the options!
