Have you looked at your home recently and noticed any signs that it’s time to replace your siding? If you have, it’s time to take action. Replacing failing siding is crucial to preventing even bigger problems from forming, such as damage to the inside of your home.
Once you decide it’s time to replace the siding, the next decision is which type of siding to use. There are many siding options on the market but unfortunately, none of them are perfect.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we’ve proudly manufactured metal siding panels for residential and commercial applications for over 20 years. While we can talk all day long about the benefits of siding, we also don’t hide from the fact that metal also has some disadvantages.
Matte Black ⅞” Corrugated Metal Siding
Metal siding is not the right choice for some homeowners, and understanding its biggest problems is a good start to determine if it's the right choice for you.
Below are the 3 biggest problems we hear about with metal siding and potential solutions to fix them.
Common Problems With Metal Siding
- Denting
- Higher Cost
- Not Compatible With Coastal Climates
Metal Siding Is Prone To Denting
Metal can be scuffed, scratched, dented, or even pierced if it is struck with sufficient force or a sharp object. Something as simple as errors made during installation can leave cosmetic imperfections on your new siding.
Depending on the size, some dents can be repaired without having to do a full replacement by having the dent punched out. However, if there was major damage done from fallen branches during a storm that spanned over several panels, the entire siding would have to be replaced.
The thickness of metal, or gauge, plays a role in how resistant the siding will be to denting. A thicker (lower gauge) metal helps decrease the chance of denting. Thicker metal has more strength and is less vulnerable to cosmetic damages.
Metal Siding Comes With A Higher Cost
What is considered expensive is subjective. However, when comparing metal to other popular types of siding, it’s not the cheapest.
Metal siding can cost anywhere from $5.00- $10.00 per square foot installed. By comparison, vinyl siding is in the range of $3.00- $6.00 per square foot installed.
Several factors contribute to the price you’ll actually pay for metal siding:
- Gauge- Price increases as metal gets thicker.
- Panel Profile- Flush Wall concealed fastener panels are double the price of corrugated.
- Paint System- Higher quality paint systems are more expensive.
Not Compatible With Coastal Climates
If you live near the ocean, steel siding is not a good option for you. The salty air found in coastal regions from the water causes major corrosion damage to the siding. If installed in a coastal climate, the siding will quickly rust and have to be replaced.
While steel is not practical for homes near the ocean, there are other types of metal that are. Copper, aluminum, and stainless steel are examples of corrosion-resistant metals.
Make sure any siding you choose for a coastal climate is resistant to corrosion to avoid having to replace your siding prematurely.
Is Metal Siding Right For You?
When deciding if you should use metal siding, we suggest taking the following questions and potential solutions into consideration:
- Do you live near the coastline?
If the answer is yes, your home’s location is not compatible with steel siding. A potential solution to still get the benefits of metal is to use aluminum siding. Aluminum is corrosion resistant and will not rust when exposed to salty air.
- Are you concerned about denting or scratches?
If you live in an area that frequently experiences hail or if you just have general concerns that your siding could end up being dented, take the possibility of metal being dented into consideration. Using a thicker gauge metal will help decrease the chance of denting. The thicker the metal, the stronger it is and the more ability it has to endure force than a thinner material.
- Are you looking for the most economical siding material?
Metal is not the most expensive siding option, but it is not the cheapest either. However, if you take into account the longevity of metal siding, it’s often a better value.
Metal siding lasts 50-70 years, whereas most other siding materials last for less time before having to be replaced. While the price of metal may seem high when you install it, it brings value over its lifespan as you won’t have to pay for siding again.
If metal seems like it would still be a good fit for you, learn more about the different metal siding profiles available here.
Western States Metal Roofing offers free samples sent directly to you so you can see the panel in person before making a decision to order.
