Aluminum Siding vs Vinyl Siding: Which is Better for Your Home?

To everything there is a season, and that definitely includes your home’s siding. Due to regular wear and tear or more serious weather damages, siding’s performance and look can waver over time. If it’s time to upgrade your home’s aluminum siding, it could benefit you to look for another choice of materials. But why should you replace your aluminum siding with something else? We’ll lay out a few reasons why considering another option — especially vinyl siding — might be just the upgrade you need. 

Is Aluminum Siding More Expensive Than Vinyl Siding?

Though aluminum siding is less expensive up front, it may cost you more in the long run. It isn’t the most durable material, so it is susceptible to dents and scratches. Damaged siding can lead to major issues in your home, including mold growth. Eradicating mold and replacing damaged siding will cost thousands.

Perhaps most importantly though, aluminum siding is not energy efficient. This means higher bills over time as you try to keep heat in during the winter and out during the summer. The home improvement industry uses the material R-value to determine how energy efficient individual materials are. Most building codes require that walls, including drywall, insulation and siding as well as other optional materials, have a total R-value of 13. Aluminum siding has an approximate R-value of .61, which means the rest of your home’s walls have a lot of work to do to stand up to the elements.

How Long Does Aluminum Siding Last?

Well-maintained aluminum siding can last up to 40 or even 50 years. After that time period, it’s time to replace. Fortunately, aluminum siding is recyclable. So when it comes time to think of what’s next for your home’s exterior, you can do your part for the environment. 

Painting Aluminum Siding vs Replacing With Vinyl

If you’re looking to update your aluminum siding, you may choose to paint it. This refreshes the look and adds a personal touch to the outside of your home. However, you will have to perform maintenance on this paint whenever the aluminum is dented or scratched, and the color will eventually fade. Additionally, since aluminum is a non-porous material, it will require primer and sanding before it will hold color well. All this is to say: it’s not a Saturday afternoon project to paint your aluminum siding. 

Vinyl siding, on the other hand, does not need to be painted. The color is added to vinyl siding during the process of manufacturing the material, so it comes pretreated by the time it makes it to your home. This means the color won’t chip off and you won’t need to do maintenance to keep vinyl’s color looking vibrant. Vinyl is a one-and-done way to give your home enhanced curb appeal.

Why Choose Insulated Vinyl Siding?

We recommend replacing aluminum siding with insulated vinyl. Let’s break down why:

• Increases Home’s Value: Aluminum siding simply can’t stand up to a hit from the elements as well as vinyl siding, so you’re more likely to need to replace siding to increase home value on the real estate market. Investing in your home’s exterior can lead to a higher overall cost value if you choose to sell. 
• Vinyl Can Take a Hit: Not only is vinyl siding much more impact-resistant, it’s also a much thicker material than aluminum. Window World’s vinyl insulation clocks in at up to 1.5” thick. This means it’s a much stronger material and less likely to create a problem down the road if you sell your home. 

• Energy Efficiency: Insulated vinyl siding also boasts higher energy efficiency. Since it prevents thermal transfer, or heat loss and gain, your HVAC system can work more efficiently and keep indoor temperatures consistent year-round — as well as help you potentially save on bills. Vinyl siding’s thickness is part of the reason it’s as efficient as it is. Remember the R-value discussed above? Our insulated vinyl siding has an approximate R value of up to 4. That’s a lot of resistance to severe weather or an errant baseball! Aluminum likely won’t hold up as well to the Jersey Coast’s storms by comparison, and could cause a headache in earlier than anticipated replacement costs. 
• Reflect Your Style: Vinyl is a versatile, low-maintenance choice for siding. It won’t rust or corrode like most metal siding options, and it comes in many different colors and finishes, so your home can reflect your personal style. 
• Easy Upkeep: Most vinyl siding is as easy as aluminum in terms of upkeep. All of Window World’s vinyl siding options will stay clean with a regular rinse from your garden hose or one to two pressure washing sessions per year. 

There are plenty of reasons to change your home’s siding, but ultimately the decision is yours. Still, we hope you make use of the points above when choosing a new siding — and we’re always happy to assist in your home renovation needs. 

Make the Switch to Vinyl Siding Today

Ready to switch up your aluminum siding for something a little more durable? We’re ready to help you add value to your home with our selection of energy-efficient vinyl siding options. Request a free quote from Window World of Jersey Coast today.