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Can I install my own vinyl siding?

You can install your own vinyl siding, but it's not ideal if you don’t have prior experience and training. Installing vinyl siding requires a wide range of tools you’re not likely to have around the house. Installation takes a long time, so you may be able to justify buying new tools and still come in cheaper than paying for labor. Siding an open face on your home’s exterior might go fine, but other areas of the home are where most people run into trouble. Working around eaves, soffits, fascia, corners, and window or door trimmings is a technical process and best left to a siding contractor.

Additionally, you need to be able to identify mold, water, or pest damage, as that would need repairing when the wall is accessible. If you inadvertently ignore that damage, it could get worse and cost a lot more in the long run. You’ll need to understand how to attach frieze board and sheathing. You’ll also need to figure out how to remove the old siding. Siding can be uniquely challenging, even down to the type you buy.

Mistakes when it comes to vinyl siding are very easy to make and complicated to fix. It’s a timely job for professionals, so you can expect it to be very time-consuming for yourself. Vinyl siding contractors will be quicker, warranty their work, and be able to point out and address issues that arise. All that said, vinyl siding is the easiest siding to install and the best option if you’re determined to do it yourself.

What is the easiest siding to install?

There are a few types of siding to choose from. Installing siding requires tools, preparation, and no shortage of patience. The easiest siding installation is with vinyl siding. It generally cuts easier than its competitors and is one of the quickest to be put up. It also requires no painting once installed. Vinyl requires more prep than the other sidings but less work to finish the job.

Wood siding is a common choice but requires a degree of carpentry to do correctly. It’s the oldest form of siding you can choose and usually requires stripping the exterior of the home down to its sheathing. It requires painting, caulking, and regular maintenance once installed.

If you have wood siding you want to replace, and it’s not damaged or rotting, you can place aluminum siding over top of it. Aluminum siding requires metal shears to cut, and its edges can be quite sharp. It’s vulnerable to denting, but it interlocks with itself for some ease of installation.

Fiber-cement siding is a versatile choice that brings wide customization options and low maintenance. It requires special safety precautions and tools to install and is among the more difficult to install. It’s also costly to buy.

Which type of siding is best?

The best siding is often going to be fiber-cement siding. It's solid, durable, and likely to last up to 30 years. It also stands up to both intense winters and harsh heat climates. A drawback is that it absorbs moisture, so it is ill-suited for humid climates. Fiber-cement siding is durable as cement, and can be manufactured to look like other sidings. It’s low maintenance but quite expensive to buy and install. Fiber-cement is great, but its price-point rules it out as an option for many people.

For those on a budget, vinyl siding is often the best choice. It’s inexpensive, can withstand a lot of heat (up to 750 degrees), and has a wide variety of styles to choose from. You’ll want to ensure it's waterproofed, as it is prone to mold and rot. The intense climate takes its toll on this siding. Vinyl often needs replacing every 10 to 15 years.

If you live in an area that doesn’t have extreme climate conditions or outside noise pollution, aluminum siding is also a great option. It’s relatively simple to install, extremely low-maintenance, and stands up against pests and fire quite well. It offers little insulation though, so hot and cold weather will affect your home’s temperature.

If you want a siding that brings a nice increase to a home’s value, you can consider brick. It’s the most expensive option and would need waterproofing, but it’s low maintenance, weather resistant, and can withstand a lot of heat.

What is the most durable siding?

If you’re looking for durability and budget is not a concern, brick with a waterproof sealant is your best option. Brick can last up to 100 years, and it’s all-natural, eco-friendly, recyclable, and biodegradable. However, brick is very expensive and will likely not be considered a viable option as a result.

When it comes to durability, your next best options are all engineered to be effective, beautiful, and to withstand whatever nature throws at it. Fiber-cement is a mixture of wood pulp and cement. It offers cement’s durability and can be made to look like other types of siding. Fiber-cement can be expensive, but its durability and versatility - while still being a cheaper option than brick - have made it grow in popularity.

Stone veneer siding is made of cement, aggregate, and pigments. Like fiber-cement, it is created to provide aesthetically pleasing and durable siding to a home. Due to its price and look, most people choose it for an accent to their home’s siding.

Engineered wood is also a very durable option. Unlike regular wood siding, this wood is engineered for durability while still providing a wood feel and aesthetic. Engineered wood provides the durability of solid wood without the high price of cedar or the low durability of pine. It’s still wood and is prone to rot and mold like any other wood.

If your primary concern is fire, metal siding is your best option available, though it's prone to denting and provides the least insulation. Vinyl is your next best option for fire resistance, but its durability in other areas is lacking and needs replacing quicker than other siding choices.

What is the cheapest siding?

If you’re looking for the cheapest option, metal siding is going to be your best bet. Aluminum is often the best choice, as it doesn’t rust like the others, while copper tends to be expensive and only used as an accent. Metal is great for price, but not ideal for insulation or soundproofing. It’s durable, but dents easily. Metal siding is often used for detached garages and sheds, but not often used for homes in residential areas.

For your most economical choice, vinyl siding is your best option. It’s affordable, has a variety of options to choose from, and can be painted over. It requires minimal maintenance, and will look good for years to come. Vinyl is an all-around great siding. Its weaknesses are less pronounced than other siding types, though its strengths are less pronounced as well. This makes vinyl a great bang for your buck.

The next most economical is fiber-cement siding. It’s more expensive than vinyl, but that cost provides greater aesthetic appeal, longevity, and durability. While it has more features going for it, those features are reflected in the price, which is why it falls behind vinyl as a great choice for the cost.

How do I know when to replace my siding?

There are several things to look out for when determining when to replace your siding. If the siding is rotting or crumbling, that section will need to be redone. If the rot is widespread over the siding, all of it will need to be replaced. This will be a common question for most siding that needs replacement: do you replace just the broken section or all of it? If you see mold on the inside of the home, that’s a significant indicator that you need to replace all the siding on the outside of the house, as mold spreads and damages the siding. If your siding has cracks or gaps, you’ll want to replace that area so mold or other harmful intruders (like termites) don’t become an issue.

Siding that no longer lies flat along the home will need to be replaced. If you find the maintenance to keep your siding healthy is needed more frequently, that may also be a sign it’s time to replace it.

It’s possible to DIY your siding replacement, but that’s only recommended if your home has no underlying damage. Mold and rot are best left to siding contractors, as they can ensure all the damage is removed from the home. If you’re not practiced in home siding installation, it’s recommended you hire a siding contractor, whether the job is a small repair or an entire siding replacement. Small installation mistakes can create costly fixes. Professionals can examine your siding, make recommendations based on your specific circumstance, and give you an estimate. For peace of mind, hiring an experienced, local siding contractor is the way to go.