New developments in architecture and construction are often the result of looking to the traditional
for inspiration. Lap siding (or bevel siding) is a prime example of this in today’s building material
world. What was once (and still is) used as a wood siding for frame construction built homes has
now made its way into the arena of non-wood siding. The same horizontally placed and overlapped
process is used, just with different weather resistant materials. That’s not to say that wood
isn’t still used with some regularity – it is. The difference now is that there are a variety
of lap siding options.
With diminishing resources becoming more and more of a concern in the area of construction, many of
the man made siding options have developed their own alternatives to lap siding. It should be
noted that real wood lap siding still is a very popular choice. However, some of the newly developed
lap siding alternatives to wood have given the builder and consumer more options.
Some of the alternative materials from which you can choose for lap siding are aluminum, engineered
wood, fiber-cement, vinyl and even steel. Manufactures have taken the aforementioned materials
and produced the same style that was once dominated by wood only.
The consumer can elect his or her preferred siding material first and, almost assuredly, will be able
to find a manufacturer that produces a lap siding using that same material. If you are sold on
the fiber cement option, for example, it would behoove you to consider siding solutions from James Hardie
Building Products, Inc., CertainTeed, GAF, Nichiha and MaxiTile, just to name a few manufacturers.
With a creative use of colors and color combinations, many homeowners have been able to replicate the
look of traditional wood lap siding while enjoying the benefits of truly weather resistant and termite
resistant material.
If vinyl is your material of choice, there are certainly many choices of brands of vinyl lap siding
as well. CertainTeed, in addition to manufacturing siding of other materials, also is a leader
in the vinyl category. Alcoa and Georgia Pacific are a couple of the industry leaders that you
might look over. Color choices and creative use of textures has help improve the sophistication
and quality of vinyl by leaps and bounds.
For the most original look, stay with the original – wood lap siding. Though many of the newer
materials are able to recreate a reasonable facsimile of the traditional version, when it comes down
to it, there is no complete replacement. Wood grain, if maintained properly, will last for years
and years as well. If you are willing to protect your investment and must have wood, there is
no reason to settle for anything less.
Weigh your options and decide on what your priorities are as a consumer. That, combined with material
pricing, will help you determine what kind of lap siding you ultimately choose.
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