Introduction to Metal Siding
Posted on December 14, 2009 by Samuel Cheeseman ----- Advertisement
Siding is the material used to cover a house or building. It forms the outer shell or cladding and may be positioned either vertically or horizontally. The main purpose of siding is to protect a building from the elements and protect its contents. The material used to construct most siding is usually either metal, wood, plastic, masonry or some form of composite material. Siding must be effective at ensuring that all water is kept out of a property in order to prevent damage to the interior. It should be available with a large range of wall trims which are designed to shed water when installed.
Different Metals and Usage
Sheet metal siding is a common modern option and is available in a large range of sizes and colours. It is produced from different kinds of metal depending on where it will be used. Galvanized metal siding is a popular option for commercial or industrial buildings as is corrugated metal siding made from aluminium. Aluminium will provide better protection against corrosion and so is often used in coastal areas. It will react with oxygen to produce aluminium oxide, a coating that is extremely durable and one that will seal the surface of the metal well. Steel will often begin to rust in these same coastal areas after a number of years even when it has been treated with a substance such as zinc to help resist corrosion. Rusting will weaken the metal considerably and also give a building a poor appearance. Painting metal siding periodically can help to prolong the lifetime of the materials where corrosion resistant paint is used. Steel does however have one major advantage over aluminium siding in that it is more resistant to dents. This makes it desirable in areas which are prone to violent storms.
Metal siding pricing will depend on the thickness and overall quality of the materials. The thickness is measured by the gauge. The thicker the material is the lower the gauge value will be and lower gauges such as those in the low 20’s will tend to mean higher metal siding prices. Higher quality materials will also come with a longer coating warranty than lesser quality products. A minimum of 25-30 years should be a good indicator that the siding is produced to a high standard. The quality of the product will also be reflected in the metal siding cost.
Although most commonly used in the construction of commercial properties the usage of residential metal siding has recently increased due to the wide range of options now on offer. Metal house siding can now be installed which will have the appearance of a less durable but perhaps more visually pleasing material such as wood. Many houses are now constructed using metal roofing and siding in order to take advantage of the many benefits of using metal materials including their strength, long life expectancy and ease of transport. Of course metal siding and roofing materials will also come with the highest levels of fire resistance meaning they are safer than almost all other options on the market.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Metal siding is very durable and will require only minimal maintenance. It is resistant to fire, rot and insects such as termites. This makes it a safe and cost effective option. Steel siding is rarely damaged by anything but the most extreme storms but aluminium is not as strong. Metal siding is not a particularly green option as the manufacture is energy intensive. The materials used are however recyclable. Installation can sometimes be difficult due to the weight of large siding panels, particularly those made of steel. Another common problem which can arise during metal siding installation is joining separate panels which fit tightly enough to keep out wind and rain but at the same time also allowing room for the materials to contract or expand in different temperatures. These problems can be overcome in many ways including overlapping the sheets, sealing the joint completely or using some kind of interlocking joining mechanism such as tongue and groove.
The impressive durability and low maintenance costs of metal siding typically make it a sensible investment for many kinds of properties. It is however necessary to research which types of metal will be most effective in your area particularly if your property is in a coastal region or is subjected to frequent storms.