Choosing the right siding for your house is an important decision, as it not only affects the aesthetics of your home but also its durability and energy efficiency. There are many types of siding available, and selecting between engineered wood and composite siding for your home exterior involves considerations such as your budget, aesthetic preferences, climate, and maintenance requirements.
Understanding the Basics
Before diving into the specifics, it’s crucial to grasp the fundamental differences between composite and engineered wood siding. Composite siding is typically made from cellulose fibers bonded with other materials, sometimes incorporating recycled plastics and binding agents. This blend often results in a uniform look. In contrast, engineered wood siding is crafted from treated wood strands combined with a resin binder, offering a more natural wood appearance.
New Windows for America has put together some steps to help you make an informed decision when it comes to replacing your siding.
Material Composition
Some composite sidings are made up of cellulose fibers that are bonded with additional materials, while engineered wood uses treated wood strands combined with a resin binder for strength.
- Engineered Wood Siding: Usually composed of wood fibers, wax, and resin, this type of siding is compressed into boards or panels, providing a natural wood look.
- Composite Siding: Made from wood fibers, recycled plastics, and additional agents, composite siding offers a consistent appearance that mimics real wood.
Characteristics of Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood siding is designed to provide exceptional durability and protection, catering to the needs of homeowners seeking both performance and aesthetics. Here’s what sets it apart:
1. Advanced Protection:
This type of siding is enhanced with proprietary technology to withstand harsh elements like hail, strong winds, and excessive moisture. It’s also resistant to fungal decay and termite infestations, making it a long-lasting choice for any climate.
2. Manufacturing Details:
Made primarily from wood such as Aspen, engineered wood siding involves a meticulous process where the wood is pulverized and formed into strands. This ensures uniformity and strength in the final product. The optimal size of these strands is crucial; they are typically similar to that of a business card, ensuring a balance between density and structural integrity.
3. Moisture Resistance and Coating:
Each strand undergoes a thorough coating with a moisture-resistant overlay. This not only enhances the material’s ability to repel water but also contributes to the siding’s overall durability and ability to withstand impacts.
4. Treatment with Protective Agents:
Incorporating zinc borate treatment, engineered wood siding is defended against termites and fungal growth. This treatment ensures an extra layer of protection, ensuring homeowners can enjoy the beauty and effectiveness of their siding without worry.
5. Aesthetic Appeal:
Thanks to the lack of extractives or tannins in the wood used, the siding maintains its appearance over time without issues like staining or bleeding, which can detract from the home’s visual appeal.
Engineered wood siding is thus a superior choice for those looking to combine durability with a polished look, offering protection and performance that traditional wood siding might struggle to achieve.
Cost of Siding
Engineered Wood Siding: Engineered wood is often less expensive than composite siding, making it a more budget-friendly option.
Composite Siding: Composite siding tends to be pricier than engineered wood but may offer longer-term benefits in terms of durability and lower maintenance costs.
Durability of Siding
Engineered Wood Siding: Engineered wood can be susceptible to moisture, which may lead to swelling, warping, and rotting. Proper installation and maintenance are crucial to prolong its lifespan.
Composite Siding: Composite siding is more resistant to moisture and insects, making it a durable choice that can withstand harsh weather conditions. It generally requires less maintenance and is less prone to rot.
Enhancing Durability and Resistance in Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood siding is designed to stand the test of time through several specialized treatments that enhance its durability and resistance. Here’s a breakdown of the processes involved:
- Moisture-Resistant Overlay: The wood strands are first coated with a protective layer that prevents moisture penetration. This helps in protecting the structural integrity of the siding, making it less susceptible to water damage.
- Compression Process for Strength: After the overlay application, the material undergoes compression, which significantly increases its strength. This process ensures the siding can withstand various environmental stresses and impacts, maintaining its form and function.
- Zinc Borate Treatment: A standout treatment involves zinc borate, a compound known for its effectiveness in resisting termites and fungal decay. By incorporating this chemical, the siding not only gains increased durability but also an added layer of biological protection that helps in preventing deterioration from pests and microbial growth.
These treatments collectively work to fortify the engineered wood siding, making it a reliable choice that endures against natural elements and physical impacts.
Maintenance of Siding
Composite siding may require some maintenance. LP® SmartSide® offers a simple checklist for cleaning and maintenance that will help keep your siding looking beautiful.
Engineered Wood Siding: Engineered wood siding typically requires more frequent maintenance, including repainting or staining, to protect it from the elements and maintain its appearance. Engineered wood can be more flexible than composite siding making it less prone to breakage.
Composite Siding: Composite siding is low maintenance and often requires only periodic cleaning to keep it looking good. It doesn’t need to be refinished as frequently as engineered wood.
Appearance of Siding
Siding options come in all sorts of colors and texture combinations. LP SmartSide offers a home visualizer where you can pick your home’s style or even upload a photo of your home to begin. Select an area of the home to visualize materials and colors.
Engineered Wood Siding: If you prefer a more natural wood look, engineered wood may be the better choice. It can be stained or painted in various colors and finishes.
Composite Siding: Composite siding provides a consistent appearance and can mimic the look of real wood but with less variation and more uniformity in color and texture.
Environmental Considerations
Choosing a siding material that uses products that contain material that has been sustainably sourced, adheres to forest sustainability standards, and ensures compliance with SFI Standards is important to the team at New Windows for America. LP SmartSide® is committed to providing the best construction materials using sustainable and environmentally friendly products.
Engineered Wood Siding: It is made from wood fibers and can be considered more environmentally friendly, especially if sourced from sustainably managed forests.
Composite Siding: Composite siding often contains recycled materials, such as plastics, which can be seen as a sustainable choice. However, the production process may involve energy-intensive manufacturing.
Climate Considerations
The best type of siding for your home depends on climate, aesthetics, budget, and maintenance needs. In regions with severe weather, choosing siding that withstands these conditions is crucial.
Engineered Wood Siding: May need extra maintenance in wet climates to prevent moisture-related issues.
Composite Siding: Performs well in various climates due to its moisture resistance and durability.
Are You Ready to Replace Your Siding?
The right siding choice should be a balance between your budget, aesthetic preferences, durability, and maintenance considerations. Careful research and planning will help you make an informed decision that will benefit your home for years to come. Ultimately, choosing the right siding for your home depends on your specific needs and priorities.
Click here to learn more about the differences between Engineered Wood Siding and Composite Siding, and what options might be best for your home. As a Certified LP Installer, New Windows for America is trained and educated to help you answer any questions you may have.
If you are looking to replace your siding, windows, or a new front door, we invite you to contact our team at New Windows for America. We can provide you with options based on your style and budget when it comes to siding replacement, new windows and even updating your front door.
###
New Windows for America has been a local and family-owned business for over 25+ years, installing a wide range of energy-efficient windows, doors, and siding. With our trained and professional installers, you can trust New Windows for America as your local window, door, and siding installer to perform a quality installation. We have a 5-star professional and knowledgeable team to help you choose the best windows, siding, and doors for your home, to fit your style, and budget.
