Types of Siding For your New Jersey Home

Aluminum

Aluminum is one of the metal sidings. It is more popular than steel because exposed areas of steel tend to rust. Aluminum siding comes in long panels with baked-on enamel finish that can be smooth or textured. Aluminum may dent and depending on how high or low the damaged panel is replacing it may be difficult. Aluminum is a good heat insulator and is very waterproof. Aluminum is composed of the same 3 basic parts as vinyl.

Rectangular Plank

Perfectly rectangular wood planks are applied vertically with their ends butted together for a smooth look. The vertical joints of the planks are covered by long, narrow strips of wood called battens to help keep out moisture. The battens help give a vertical "rise and fall" look to the siding.

Clapboard

Clapboard is rectangular planking applied horizontally and overlapped. Clapboard will not look as smooth as rectangular planking applied vertically. However, it can be given a smoother look if the edges of the plank are beveled or tapered.

Composition Board or Hardboard

Planks or sheets of compressed wood fiber and weather resistant adhesive. Hardboard is a good choice in drier areas. The panels can be as long as 16 feet without any gaps. It can be made to look like clapboard if it is cut and applied horizontally.

Shingles

Shingles are usually redwood, cedar or cypress. They are smooth sawn and of uniform size and shape. They are applied from the bottom up and overlap each other a bit as the next highest row is applied. Some people prefer to have their shingles overlap in various amounts to give a different look or texture. Shingles can be applied in a single course, where all shingles are exposed to the elements or a double course in which only the top layer of shingles is exposed. Shingles are prone to cupping, a rolling of the shingle toward the center, and checking, which is a cracking or splitting.

Shakes

Shakes are a rough type of wooden shingle, usually redwood, cedar or cypress. They can be either: handsplit, handsplit and sawn on one side, or handsplit and sawn on both sides. They are non-uniform in size and shape and give a rustic look to the exterior of the home. Shakes can be applied in a single course, where all of them are exposed to the elements or a double course in which only the top layer is exposed. Shakes are prone to cupping, a rolling of the shake toward the center, and checking, which is cracking or splitting.

Stucco

Stucco is very similar to plaster on an interior wall. Stucco, like vinyl, is a durable siding. It is composed of sand, water and cement. Today some stucco has an acrylic finish. In a traditional stucco application, wire mesh is attached to the sheathing and studs of the house. Two or three coats of various stucco mixtures are then applied over the wire mesh. Finally, the top coat of a stucco siding is applied with a smooth or textured finish.

Vinyl

Vinyl panels are made of polyvinyl chloride and resemble wood. They act much the same way as aluminum but don't dent. If vinyl is scratched it doesn't need to be painted because vinyl doesn't rust and the color of the vinyl permeates the entire thickness of the panels. Vinyl siding comes in various lengths and widths. The average width of panes is between 6 � inches to 10 inches. Standard vinyl siding has 3 components: a nail hem at the top of the panel where the slots are located, the face which is the exposed area of the panel visible when installation is complete, and the buttlock, which is located on the bottom of the panel and locks into the previously installed panel. J-Channels and other accessories can be functional or aesthetic or both. These accents can cover seams, enclose eaves or overhangs, and provide an accent to the siding. Today's vinyl sidings come with lifetime warranties. Often these warranties are transferable if you sell your home.