If you’re planning a siding installation for your home, vinyl and aluminum are two products you will encounter when shopping. The latter has many benefits, but if you want the best results, vinyl siding is the way to go. If you’re still on the fence, below is a quick comparison of the two options.

What Are the Benefits of Vinyl Siding?

1. Better Insulation

Aluminum and vinyl are both energy-efficient options. If you want the best, vinyl is the frontrunner for siding installation. R-value measures a product’s resistance to outside heat sources. This varies between products, and vinyl and aluminum have an average R-value of 0.61. However, vinyl readily accepts an insulation layer, which can raise the R-Value to between 2-5, which will keep your home cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter.

2. Low Maintenance

Vinyl requires minimal care to continue looking excellent. All you have to do is pressure wash it once a year and scrub areas with mildew and dirt with a solution of 30% white vinegar and 70% water. Aluminum requires more frequent hand-washing, scrubbing, pressure washing, and bleach cleaning to maintain its look.

Vinyl also holds color well for 10-12 years—slightly longer than aluminum, which lasts 5-10 years. Like aluminum, vinyl won’t rot, so you won’t have to worry about severe moisture damage.

3. Design Options

Aluminum has limited designs, while manufacturers can craft vinyl into many different plank sizes and colors. They can also texturize it to mimic wood and other luxury materials. If you choose to repaint the siding installation, vinyl holds additional coats better than aluminum because of its texture. This is especially true of lighter colors, so you’ll have more options to explore.

4. Durability

Aluminum can scratch easily and will usually require a replacement if the damage is severe. Tree and shrub branches, flying debris from heavy winds, or pebbles from the lawnmower are all common issues that affect aluminum.

Vinyl is much more durable, being both scratch- and dent-resistant. Any serious damage won’t appear for several years. Also, the color sits deep in vinyl panels, hiding any minor blemishes. Vinyl is also corrosion-resistant, so you won’t need to worry about water exposure creating problems.

Are you ready to schedule a siding installation? Superior Products of Cincinnati, OH, provides all the services you need to maintain a stunning home exterior. They can add new gutters, roofs, siding, windows, and more, which you can learn about on their website. Call (513) 231-1168 to schedule a consultation.