Siding

Buying a home is the single, most-expensive investment most homeowners make. Protecting your Minnesota home then becomes a primary concern and a lifelong commitment. One way to protect the home’s structural integrity and aesthetic beauty is with good siding. Siding adds a protective outer shell meant to help the building shed water and wind, repel insects and to some extent insulate.

Siding performs several important functions. In addition to adding color, texture and curb appeal, siding protects the home from damage caused by pests and the elements. The right siding will reduce the risk of moisture penetrating your home, which can lead to the growth of mold. It can also prevent dust mites and bacteria from entering the structure. All three biological elements can lead to allergic or respiratory health problems. Further, moisture penetration from rain, sleet or snow can cause wall sheathing to weaken which, in turn, damages the structural integrity of the house.

Pests such as dust mites, termites and carpenter ants can enter a home that lacks good quality siding or has poorly chosen siding. Dust mites are a known allergen for many. Termites and carpenter ants feed on wood and can degrade the wooden frame of home before the homeowner is aware of their presence.

Today’s marketplace offers a number of siding options to homeowners from engineered wood, fiber cement, metal, stucco, vinyl, and wood-clad. While each material has its own advantages and disadvantages, choosing the right material for each home is primarily a matter of personal taste and financial considerations. A professional siding contractor can help you select the material that is right for your home and budget.

By choosing the right siding and weather barrier that is appropriate for the climate where you are located and suits the amount of maintenance you are willing to provide, you home will be protected from nature’s worst and will your family’s health and safety.