What Is Aluminum Siding?
Residential use of aluminum siding began in 1940’s and the demand for it was rapidly growing due to its advantages over other available materials at the time. Modern engineering and technology innovations ensure that aluminum siding remains a very popular exterior cladding material nowadays as well.
Many people believe that aluminum siding and vinyl siding are one and the same, but this is not the case. Aluminum siding is, of course, made from aluminum, which is the same lightweight metal used to make soda cans. It has the same appearance as vinyl siding, which is a series of horizontal extruded panels that overlap each other. In fact, it is difficult to tell whether a house has aluminum siding or vinyl siding at a glance.
There are many different types of aluminum siding available on the market. You can find unfinished aluminum siding that can be painted, as well as factory-baked colors and textures in a wide variety of options. The most common size is a length of twelve feet, six inches, but aluminum siding is also available in panels of either 12 by 36 or 12 by 48 inches that simulate cedar shakes, another popular home exterior covering.
Life Expectancy
Durability is a primary concern for most homeowners. When it comes to aluminum siding, you can expect a good, long life as long as you observe proper care and maintenance. One of the aluminum siding benefits is that it can be expected to last from 40 years to the life of your house. As many homeowners know, the less often you have to replace your home exterior, the better.
Another aluminum siding benefit is that when potential problems develop, you will not usually have to replace the entire exterior. Some of the problems that may develop with aluminum siding include scratches, dents, and corrosion. Most of these can be fixed with sanding and repainting. You can even repair major dents and scratches by removing and replacing the damaged section of your aluminum siding, which is not possible with vinyl siding.
Care and Maintenance
The good news is that care and maintenance for aluminum siding is among the simplest out there. Your aluminum siding should be washed with water and a mild detergent at least once per year. Stains or heavy soiling can often be removed with a mild detergent and gentle scrubbing. You can also repair scratches and mild corrosion through sanding and a paint touch-up, and replace dented or heavily scratched sections by removing the damaged portion with a utility knife and replacing it with new sections of aluminum siding. Remember, it is possible to re-paint your aluminum siding as often as you would like for a refreshing color change.
With diligent care, your new aluminum siding can last for the entire life of your home. You can enjoy the attraction, inexpensiveness, and ease of maintenance that comes with aluminum siding benefits, and you can even install your new aluminum siding yourself. Your home’s exterior is one of the most important components, and installing aluminum siding is an excellent way to maintain the value and appearance of your house for a long time to come.
For more information contact Inspec-Pro Home Inspection at 613.606.1901 or email us at inspec-pro@outlook.com.