Did You Know?: The Best Siding for You Depends on Your Climate
Siding provides a barrier that protects a home from environmental damage. This damage comes in many forms, however, such as wind, rain, and excessive sunlight. Depending on your local climate, certain environmental factors may pose a greater threat to the safety of your home than others. Raleigh, North Carolina has a humid subtropical climate, meaning the area experiences plenty of heat in the summer and enjoys milder winters.
Fortunately, there are several types of siding, each one best suited for particular climate conditions. When you’re looking for the best siding for your home, you’ll have to keep your local climate in mind. Let’s examine various types of climates and the ideal siding material for each one.
Hot and Humid
This climate describes summers in Raleigh, NC and many other states in the USA. The combination of heat, sunlight, and moisture can wreak havoc on a home, and make the interior uncomfortable if it is not well insulated. Vinyl siding is a good option to combat these climate conditions. First, it repels moisture, keeping rain and dew away from the home and preventing mold and mildew from forming. Second, Raleigh house painters will tell you that light colored vinyl siding also reflects sunlight, keeping excessive heat away from the house. For these reasons, as well as low cost, vinyl is the most popular siding choice in the US.
Hot or Cold and Dry
The US includes several arid areas as well, especially in the Southwest. These dry climates are often hot during the day and cooler at night. Here you’ll find plenty of homes with stucco siding, made from a combination of sand, cement, lime, and water, common materials in this region. The porous nature of this material means that it’s vulnerable to moisture, which isn’t a problem in dry climates. Stucco’s advantage lies in its flexibility, durability, and resistance to fire, all important factors in a desert climate where temperatures fluctuate and fires are easily started.
Cold, Windy, and Wet
On the opposite end of the spectrum are the Northern coastal areas of the US, which are often cold, blustery, and wet. Vinyl siding can hold up here as well, but other siding options might work even better, such as aluminum and steel. These metal materials are better at insulating a home than vinyl, and they won’t crack under extremely cold conditions. They’re also quite durable against the wind and resist moisture as vinyl does. Aluminum siding is also highly customizable. It might not sound all that aesthetically pleasing, but Raleigh painting companies can make aluminum siding look fantastic.
Varied Climates
Plenty of areas in the US experience varied weather conditions throughout the year, so it’s not always clear if one type of siding is better than another. Homeowners can’t be expected to change their siding material every few months, though. When in doubt, masonry is a safe bet for just about any climate. Brick remains cool in heat, does a great job insulating homes, resists wind, and is always in style. Some homeowners will even opt to hire a Raleigh house painting service to paint over their brick, though plenty of people prefer the classic, untouched look of masonry.
All siding materials are designed to protect and insulate a home. Some materials are simply better equipped to combat specific weather conditions. Because we’re located in Raleigh, NC, Anderson Painting contractors can confidently recommend and install vinyl siding for our customers. However, we’re happy to discuss other siding options as well. To learn more about us and all our services, call Anderson Painting today at 919-610-1855 or email us at info@andersonpaintingnc.com!
