Your siding choice does more than only improve the aesthetics of your home. It protects your home from insects and the elements, lowers your power bills, and enhances the value of your home. You can either choose aluminum siding or vinyl for your home. However, you cannot opt for both and must know the cost of aluminum siding vs vinyl to make your choice.
Installing aluminum siding will cost you around $3 to $6 per square foot. Depending on the quality, vinyl might cost more or less. Although highly durable, vinyl-wrapped metal siding is significantly more costly than both. In fact, the cost of your preferred siding depends on the square footage of your house. The bigger the area, the more expensive it will be.
There is, however, more to these sidings, such as their cost. This article will cover all these as well as give you information about which one is more expensive and what makes it such. You will also get to know about the durability and versatility of each. So, continue reading to learn more.
Aluminum Siding Vs Vinyl – Which Is More Expensive?
Vinyl siding installation costs range from $3 to $7 per square foot, whereas aluminum siding costs about $5 to $9. Vinyl and metal come in a variety of gauges, which is their thickness. The thicker the gauge, the more costly it is. Aluminum is a little more expensive than vinyl, but it is still a good deal because it is cheaper to make than 80 percent of other materials.
Your location has an impact on the pricing since it determines how far the siding must be transported. The price is determined by the style, quality, and profile you select, as well as the difficulty of installation.
On the other hand, vinyl siding is more affordable. Thicker vinyl will be more costly but also durable. Vinyl in the low- and mid-grade is on the cheaper end of the scale, but high-quality vinyl intended to appear like cedar shingles or wood can cost $7 or even more per square foot.
What Makes Aluminum Siding More Expensive?
Depending on the quality, aluminum siding is somewhat more costly than the replacement of vinyl siding. It can also give your home a new look while still providing long-term protection from the weather. This siding is available in a number of colors and may imitate the appearance of a more costly wood siding. These features are what make it more costly.
Not only that, but the current aluminum siding is resistant to dents, insects, and fire. It is also low-maintenance and may last for up to 40 years if you take proper care. Moreover, the siding color is also baked on, which means it will not require frequent repainting like with the installation of wood siding.
In addition, it is also safer as vinyl includes chemicals that can be harmful to one’s health as well as the environment. It is due to all these extra components added to aluminum siding that this siding is more expensive.
Which Is More Worth It?
Vinyl is a better and more long-lasting option. It has a cheaper total cost of ownership over time due to its low maintenance, durability, and energy efficiency. This siding is four times more economical than any other traditional siding, which means you will save money on your utility costs.
This is because metal is a poor insulator and so vinyl siding makes your home more energy-efficient. As you already know, it is also more substantial than aluminum siding. Choosing insulated vinyl siding will provide an additional layer of shelter against heat loss while also assisting in keeping your home pleasant. It is also likely to be denser than aluminum siding, which makes it more durable.
In addition, as the color runs all the way through vinyl siding, it will not scratch or fade as quickly as aluminum siding. You will also never need to repaint it. In fact, you cannot paint vinyl siding since it will not keep the color. Vinyl siding is also lightweight and includes holes that are pre-drilled.
This makes it simple to apply the vinyl to the studs. Other types of siding may require longer, more time-consuming installation methods, and more money will be going out of your pocket as well. Thus, if you want the task done fast and easily, vinyl siding is the way to go.
Durability And Maintenance Of Both Vinyl And Aluminum Siding
Vinyl siding requires just slightly less maintenance than aluminum siding. However, both of them need to be cleaned at times. They are both also durable, but in separate ways. Most homeowners consider durability to be the most important factor after price. They want their siding to appear good for a long period without deteriorating. The thickness of the siding is the most important aspect in determining its longevity.
Quality Counts
When comparing the longevity of aluminum siding versus vinyl siding, the grade or quality of the siding is crucial.
The denser the material, whether vinyl or aluminum, the steadier, more resistant to weather and reliable the siding will be.
Damage
Although the current coatings are industrial-grade, they assist in alleviating these concerns. However, aluminum siding can be damaged or dented. A scratch in the varnish layer reveals the bare metal beneath, yet aluminum will not corrode if left outside. Aluminum can get chalky or fade in color with time, although technical developments over the past decade have enhanced the fastness of color and decreased chalking.
Aluminum may be repainted, but it must first be well cleaned. The aluminum is also fire-resistant. As the color runs through the vinyl siding, it does not damage, and scratches are not as visible. An exceptionally strong hit to a vinyl plank might cause it to fracture or puncture, especially when older vinyl is fragile in cold weather.
Impact Of The Climate
Vinyl can fade over time in a hot environment, and as you cannot paint it, you may need to replace it. You must also install vinyl correctly, otherwise, it may trap water beneath it, causing harm to the infrastructure of your home.
Aluminum siding versus vinyl siding is the ideal choice if you reside in an area with severely harsh winters. Vinyl can become fragile and split in climates below freezing, while the cold cannot affect aluminum.
However, if you have to choose, then aluminum is definitely the best option if you are living in a severely cold climate. This is the case because cold can not affect metal, whereas vinyl might become fragile. When this happens, vinyl cracks readily, enabling moisture to penetrate the substrate and cause rot and mold to grow on the house’s structure. Extreme cold has no effect on aluminum.
If you are comparing both aluminum siding and vinyl, then you will notice that there are other comparisons between them, such as the energy efficiency and versatility comparisons of each. Each of them has its own unique characteristics which distinguish them from each other. These features also help you make a decision as to which one to choose for your home.
Now that you know the cost of aluminum siding vs vinyl, you can easily make a choice. If you are low on budget then you can opt for the cheaper one. However, cheaper does not mean best. There are other factors you have to look into so that you can make a proper and informed choice. Thanks for reading the whole article. Hope the right siding will help you protect your house perfectly.
