Which Siding is Best for Homes in Virginia and Maryland?

January has quickly come and gone, and as the new year truly starts to get underway, there is no better time to give your home a spruce and refresh. The start of the year often signals a time for home improvements – new year, new home, as the saying (sort of) goes. Siding is often overlooked when it comes to home improvement projects, but at Windows on Washington! We believe it is one of the best projects for your home. Not only does it significantly enhance curb appeal, but most importantly, it increases the overall performance and energy efficiency of your home. Basically, it is a win-win home improvement. However, there are many different types of siding, so how do you decide which is best for your home? In this article, we will be discussing the best siding for homes in Virginia and Maryland. 

The Importance of Siding 

Firstly, why is siding so important anyway? Well, as we mentioned, it improves the overall functionality and value of your home, while also allowing you to express your unique style. However, it actually has a much more important job than that. Siding is what protects the inside of your home from rain, humidity, moisture, insects and pests. That is why it is vital your siding is working at its best, and why you need to choose the right siding for the climate you live in.

Different Siding Materials

While siding is indeed one of the best home improvements projects you can undertake, it can cause plenty of headaches, mostly because there are a variety of materials to choose from and it can be overwhelming deciding which material is right for your home. Different siding materials come at vastly different price points, and all with their own advantages and disadvantages. The most common siding materials include insulated vinyl siding, wood siding, aluminum siding, and brick or stone siding.

The Best Siding for Homes in Virginia

If you live in Virginia, which is the best siding for your home? It is important you consider the weather of your region, as siding is your home’s first line of defense against the elements. Luckily for you, Virginia’s climate is quite mild compared to other areas across the United States. That is not to say it is not susceptible to harsh conditions every once in a while. Therefore, it is still important you find the right siding material that can protect your home from the elements year round. 

Fiber Cement Siding 

In our opinion, fiber cement siding is one of the best siding options for homes in Virginia for a number of reasons. First of all, fiber cement siding is versatile and comes in a variety of textures. You can also carry out a color matching test to ensure it suits the overall appearance of your home’s exterior. Fiber cement siding is also extremely durable, has a class 1A fire rating and the color does not easily warp or fade. It is also highly weather resistant. In terms of pricing, installing fiber cement siding is often less costly than installing other materials such as natural stone, cedar and wood siding. And lastly, fiber cement siding does not cost much to maintain due to its durability. In fact, it can last for longer than fifty years if properly cared for.

Is it Really the Best Choice for Homes in Virginia?

Fiber cement siding is one of the best siding materials, period. It is often recommended for climates that are hot and humid, which you can experience if you live in Virginia. Also, with the occasional storm and wet weather frequenting the Virginia region, fiber cement siding is the ideal choice, as it does not rot. Furthermore, it does not warp or bend with temperature changes, or shake in strong winds. It is also termite-resistant due to its high content of cement and sand. For all these reasons, fiber cement siding is the superior siding choice for homes in Virginia. 

The Best Siding for Homes in Maryland

While fiber cement siding might be the best choice for many homes, including homes in Virginia, it is not necessarily the best choice for homes in Maryland. In fact, vinyl siding is often the superior choice, especially when you consider the heavy winds and rain that often occur in the Maryland region.

Vinyl Siding

Both vinyl siding and reinforced vinyl siding are the ideal choices for Maryland homes. This is due to the fact vinyl siding panels do not split, peel or rot, which prevents the inside of your home from being exposed to moisture that can cause mold or fungus to grow and damage the structure of your home. Furthermore, vinyl siding is exceptionally durable, rigid and wind resistant. And, it also comes in a variety of colors, which is ideal for ensuring your home has excellent curb appeal. Not to mention it does not chip or fade like other types of siding.

Reinforced vinyl siding further offers the added protection of great insulation, which can reduce your utility bills and keep your home warm in winter and cool in summer. And, if you live in a particularly noisy area, reinforced vinyl siding also has the added benefit of helping to make your home quieter by reducing noise from outside.

Is it Really the Best Choice for Homes in Maryland?

Vinyl siding is certainly one of the best choices for homes in Maryland for a myriad of reasons. Perhaps, however, the most important reason it is the ideal siding choice is due to the fact it can withstand extreme weather, which the Maryland region is susceptible to throughout the year. When you combine this with its excellent durability, versatility and potential for added insulation during installation, vinyl siding is one of the best siding choices for homes in Maryland.