Silver Spring Roofing: Article About Maintaining Vinyl and Aluminum Siding
Siding is a term to describe a variety of materials used to cover the outside of a residential or commercial structure. Siding can come in several forms including shingles, boards or solid metal pieces that are attached to the exterior walls of the building.
Silver Spring roofing FAQ: What are the different types of siding most commonly used in residential construction?The most commonly used type of siding is vinyl. However, there are many other materials one may use to cover the exterior of their house. Brick, wood shingles, stone and stucco are the most popular varieties used in the U.S. Each of these types offers specific benefits and drawbacks. Some are expensive but durable, while others are cost-effective yet require a lot of up-keep.
Maintaining and cleaning aluminum and vinyl siding will extend the life of the material and ensure that it looks like new for many years to come. Proper maintenance techniques are relatively easy to follow and require very few specialized tools. These types of materials are the most common Silver Spring Roofing and siding solutions because of their durability and limited required up-keep.
Vinyl siding has its many advantages. Most types are guaranteed to never warp, split or bend. Depending on the manufacturer, they may never need to be painted either. However, as with any type of material exposed to the elements, there are certain maintenance needs that must be met to ensure the aesthetic look of vinyl for the entirety of its life. Fortunately, these up-keep concerns are relatively easy to deal with and require very little effort on the part of the homeowner.
Consistent cleaning is the most important step to take when maintaining vinyl siding. Establishing a bi-annual cleaning routine will keep the material resistant to deterioration. In most cases, a homeowner should clean their siding once in the spring and once in the fall. The best way to do this is with a pressure washer and a mild laundry detergent.
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Most pressure washers include a way to mix the detergent with the water beforehand. This method is the preferred way for cleaning vinyl. However, applying soap to the siding with a sponge before rinsing it off with pressurized water works, too.
One of vinyl's best-known benefits is its elimination of the constant need to paint and repaint. However, many homeowners are unaware that over time pitting can occur that leads to a dull look full of stains. In the last few years many manufacturers have come out with new types of paint specifically designed for vinyl siding. This paint can be used to make older vinyl seem brand new and protect it against future deterioration.
Aluminum siding is different in almost every aspect from vinyl. While it is considered just as durable as vinyl, aluminum requires a bit more maintenance in order to keep it looking brand new. The same bi-annual cleaning routine used for vinyl will also work for aluminum. However, painting is probably the biggest difference between the two types of siding and requires the most up-keep.
In order to keep aluminum looking its best, the homeowner may have to invest a considerable amount of time and money into paint. However, after a good paint job even the oldest aluminum siding will look like it did on day one.
