Choosing siding for your new home can be a challenge. With so many options in materials, finishes, and designs, it’s hard to know where to begin. If you’re a new homeowner, you might not even know what siding is! Here are some tips to help you select the siding that’s perfect for you.

But first, here’s a quick overview about what siding is, and why it’s important to choose your siding carefully:

Alternatively known as wall cladding, siding is the outermost layer of material on the walls of your house that protect it from weather damage such as moisture from rain or snow, sun, and extreme temperatures. Effective siding preserves the exterior of your house while making the interior safe and comfortable.

You want to make sure you choose a siding that achieves all of your household’s needs while maintaining the value of your home.

1. Think about your home’s location.

Because siding is one of your home’s most important layers of protection from weather, you must consider both the average climate your home will endure as well as the extremes.

If your home is often exposed to intense sunlight, then you want a siding that won’t fade or become warped with heat. If your live in a location that experiences freezing temperatures, then you want a material that isn’t prone to cracking. Maybe your location sees a lot of cloudy days and rain. In this case, you’ll want a material that is less likely to be damaged by moisture.

Are you choosing siding for your vacation beach house? Then you need a material that won’t corrode easily from sea salt and other organic substances. Maybe you live in an area prone to wildfires or intense heat. If so, consider a fire resistant material.

In most cases, steel siding is the best option when regarding severe weather conditions, especially if your home is susceptible to more than one of the above examples.

2. Remember what’s important to you.

Aside from the practicalities of weather durability, you must also decide what the most important features you want to find in a siding. Some aspects to consider are the environmental impact of the material, the quality and maintenance of the material, and attractiveness.

A truly effective siding material is environmentally friendly, easy to maintain, and makes your home beautiful. When comparing the environmental impact of siding materials, consider how the material is created, disposed, and if it has the potential to introduce harmful chemicals to the environment. Most vendors claim that their siding is easy to maintain, but some materials, like wood, need to be repainted regularly, so the siding does not degrade.

You want your house to be beautiful, not just for yourself, but also for the overall value of your property. It is important to note seam visibility, color options, and texture finishes of different kinds of siding.

Ideally, you’d want a siding that achieves all of your concerns, but it’s important to address your top 3 needs when choosing the right siding.

3. Ask an expert.

When you’re renovating an old home or building a new one, choosing the right siding isn’t the only thing on your mind. Although you can do research and weigh your options, it’s sometimes best to ask for advice from experienced designers and contractors.

Trade professionals know the ins and outs of the best home siding and have experience working many different materials and locations, so they can offer you insights on what has satisfied them in the past.

For more comparisons between different kinds of siding, visit Rollex.com today!