In the last blog post we talked about the pros and cons of aluminum siding. One of the advantages of aluminum siding is that it is low maintenance. Unlike wood siding, aluminum siding will not rot or decay. However, over time aluminum siding can get dirty or suffer from a white build up called “chalk.” Although cleaning aluminum siding is similar to cleaning vinyl siding, there are some important differences. Here are some tips on cleaning aluminum siding.
Prepare your house and grounds – Make sure you’ve closed all doors and windows and turned off any outside electrical outlets or lights. Cover any plants to prevent damage from the cleaning solution.
Mix up a cleaning solution – A typical recipe for cleaning vinyl or aluminum siding calls for 1/3 cup of powdered laundry detergent for each gallon of water. If you need to remove mildew add a quart of oxygenated bleach to each gallon of water. A four-gallon bucket holds enough solution to be useful, while remaining light enough to move.
Use a power washer – While a garden hose can remove much of the dirt, a power washer can make the process easier. Use the low setting to avoid damaging your siding. Work from the top down to avoid washing the dirt into areas you have already cleaned.
Use a brush – Attack really tough stains or chalk deposits with a soft bristle brush. You can either use a long handled brush or use a ladder to reach high spots. Make sure to follow all ladder safety precautions.
Rinse – Rinse the cleaning solution away with clear water, working from the top down. Allow the siding to dry before you decide if more cleaning is needed.
By following these simple steps for cleaning aluminum siding you should be able to improve the appearance of your home. If your siding still looks worn or faded after cleaning, you may need to paint your aluminum siding as well.
When you consider a siding project for your home, don’t overlook aluminum siding. This siding material was developed after WWII and was the first practical substitute for wood siding. While aluminum is not as popular as it once was, its unique characteristics still make it a good choice in some situations. Here’s more info to help you decide if aluminum siding is right for your home.
Aluminum Siding Advantages
Temperature Resistant – Aluminum siding is stable at all temperature ranges. Since extreme hot or cold temperatures can damage vinyl siding, aluminum siding may be a better choice for homeowners who live in areas with extreme temperature variations.
Durability – Aluminum is durable and long lasting. When properly cared for, it can last for decades.
Low Maintenance – It will not rot, rust, or be damaged by insects. While the aluminum siding colors can fade over time, it can be repainted to look like new.
Energy Efficiency – Aluminum siding adds more insulation to your home then vinyl siding. This can help reduce your heating and cooling costs.
Appearance – Aluminum siding is attractive. Painting aluminum siding is easy if it fades or if you want to change the siding colors.
Aluminum Siding Disadvantages
Dents – Aluminum siding can be dented or damaged by impacts. In many cases however, the force needed to dent the material can also damage vinyl siding, and many aluminum siding repairs are easy to accomplish.
Cost – In most cases, aluminum siding costs about as much as most premium vinyl siding. The initial cost to install aluminum siding can be offset over time by reduced energy bills and is, overall, generally less expensive than other siding choices including wood siding, stucco, or brick.
It is important to research several different materials for home siding to ensure that you are choosing the right product for your location and house style.
Board and batten vinyl siding can help create a rustic look for your home. This unique vinyl siding reproduces the look of a traditional wooden siding choice. With wooden board and batten siding, wide boards were attached to the exterior walls with gaps deliberately left between the boards. These gaps were then covered with narrower strips called battens. The boards could be installed either horizontally or vertically. This technique was easy to install and created a unique look with plenty of visual interest. The layered effect also produced shadows that added to the apparent depth of the house.
Unfortunately, wooden board and batten siding suffers from the same problems of all wooden siding: weather damage, rot, and it periodically needs to be repainted. Wood siding can also be damaged by insects such as termites or carpenter ants.
The answer to these problems might be to use vinyl board and batten siding. This siding reproduces the look of wooden board and batten siding without suffering from the same disadvantages. The vinyl siding is molded from wooden planks to reproduce the grain patterns of the original wood. Color is fixed into the siding as part of the manufacturing process. Vinyl board and batten siding will not rot, is impervious to insects, and never needs to be painted. It is also typically less expensive to install than wood siding, and because less maintenance is required, the total life cycle costs are usually less too.
Most leading vinyl siding manufacturers produce a line of board and batten vinyl siding. You can choose products from CertainTeed siding, Crane siding, or Mastic siding. Whomever the manufacturer, you should consider the benefits of vinyl board and batten siding for your home.
Loading ...
Subscribe to the Siding Zone Blog