​Alternatives to Vinyl Siding
What other options are there to vinyl siding? Well there are quite a few available. These options listed below are alternatives that can be used in place of vinyl siding for your home. These options are limited to horizontal style siding and are not taking into account stucco, brick, etc.​
Option 1: HardiPlank (Cement Board)
​
A newer addition to the available options for siding, this material is made from wood pulp, cement, sand, and water. It is insect resistance and thicker then other products like vinyl, allowing for a much more realistic texture if desired. It has a longer lifespan at 50 years with paint maintenance every 8-10 years. The downsides are its weight and a more difficult installation.
​
This is the best option for a consumer looking for a cheaper and sustainable option to traditional wood siding. It has proven to be used before in historic districts without much issue as well.
​
This image is an option from the HardiPlank Product Website
​
Option 2: Wood Siding
​This option has been around the longest. It is aesthetically pleasing, easier than other sidings to repair small damages, renewable to a certain degree if done correctly, and it has depth. The life span is the longest of sidings available, and can last upwards of 75 to 100 years, but it needs to be painted every 5-10 years. The cons are the cost, the prep work for paint, and susceptibility to insect and animal damages.
​
This is the ideal option for keeping the historic character, but it can be unaffordable. Its life span makes it, however, a viable option and sustainable one. This siding is harder to acquire then the other options due to the increased demand for artificial sidings.
​
Other options that did not make the top two:​
​
1. Hardboard - It has a shorter lifespan in addition to having problems with swelling and a low recommendation rate by users
2. Aluminum Siding - The amount of energy required to produce this type of siding is high since it is a metal. It has a generally unappealing appearance similar to that of vinyl.
3. Vinyl, of course
​
Siding Options Available
(Accessibility based in Virginia)​