Although style is down to individual taste, nothing looks stylish if it's looking ragged, damaged, or dated. Some materials look quite good and are unlikely to go out of style any time soon. However, some of these can also be high maintenance. If you're willing to put in the work, though, they are well worth it. When it's time to replace the old siding, there are a few things you should consider.

Risk of Damage

It doesn't matter what your siding is made of; if it's looking worse for wear, it won't have the right aesthetic appeal. It doesn't take much for some siding materials to get damaged while others can take quite a beating. Depending on where you live, you'll want to consider factors such as:

• Water resistance

• Rust resistance

• Susceptibility to insect attacks etc.

Because the siding will be on the outside, it'll be exposed to any number of environmental factors. Materials such as wood may look good but can be easily damaged by water and insects. Metals, on the other hand, can be damaged by rust. Go with the option that faces the least risk from the environment your house is in.

Maintenance Requirements

With the right maintenance steps, most siding materials can be kept looking good as new. Unfortunately, if the maintenance needs of your siding are too high or if the skills/tools needed are beyond your reach, this could still be a problem.

A material such as wood will need to be stained every 2 to 3 years and also repainted after around 4 years. Some metal sidings will need to be repainted or sealed if the metal is scratched and the underlying layers exposed. A material like fiber cement, on the hand, may go for more than 10 years without being repainted. Stone repair is possible for smoothing stone, taking out discoloration and repairing cracks, along with other flaws. Companies like Marble Tec Systems offer this service.

Ease of Installation

How easy it is to install the siding is a factor when it comes to style because if you need to change the siding quickly, this may not be possible with some siding materials. Also, if a portion of the siding needs to be changed, it may be difficult. This is a frequent problem with heavy materials such as metals, bricks, stone, and fiber cement.

Depending on the material you choose, if you talk to the right siding contractor, you can still find the right combination of factors to ensure you get the best aesthetics without ignoring other performance factors.