It’s important to thoroughly weigh your alternatives when choosing siding for your home, whether it’s vinyl or stucco. This choice has a lot of weight because the siding will have an impact for a long time and is difficult to reverse. The siding you select will not only express the character of your house but will also offer weather protection. Making the incorrect decision for your particular location could reduce the value of your property. On the other side, choosing the appropriate siding can improve your home’s visual appeal and raise its market value. There is typically a deciding aspect that will direct your choice, even if vinyl and stucco might both be good choices depending on your location.
Vinyl Siding
Comparatively speaking, vinyl siding is typically more affordable than other siding options. It is especially suitable for hotter and humid areas, making it a common option all throughout the United States, with the exception of the southwest.
Vinyl siding characteristics
Appearance: Vinyl siding offers a wide range of colors and designs, providing ample customization options for your home.
Weather Resistance: While vinyl siding holds up well in humid climates, it has moderate resistance to heavy winds but performs poorly against heavy hail and fire. It may also struggle with very hot temperatures.
Repair, Maintenance, and Installation: Vinyl siding is easy to repair when damaged, simple to clean, and straightforward to install. However, its durability may be a concern during major storms.
Insulation Rating: Vinyl siding can be purchased with or without foam insulation. Opting for foam-insulated vinyl is recommended for those residing in cold-winter climates as it helps retain heat in the house. Additionally, the insulation keeps hot air from infiltrating the home, making it beneficial during summers as well.
Durability: Typically, vinyl siding has a lifespan of 20-30 years. However, it may require repairs due to damage caused by severe storms and strong winds.
Stucco
For individuals residing in the southwestern part of the United States, stucco proves to be a favorable choice. Although stucco itself is not costly, its installation typically requires more time, leading to higher labor expenses. However, stucco offers the advantage of being customizable through various colors and textures, allowing you to create a look that complements the atmosphere of your surroundings.
Stucco characteristics
- Appearance: Stucco siding offers a clean and smooth texture, setting it apart from the patterned look of vinyl siding. In desert states, rougher textures are popular with stucco.
- Weather Resistance: Stucco performs well in various weather conditions, except for extreme cold and humidity. In such climates, it is advisable to opt for siding that provides extra insulation. Stucco holds up effectively in windy conditions but may require minor patching for small cracks and nicks.
- Durability: Stucco is highly durable as it is applied as a painted layer, making it resistant to storms that could potentially rip off vinyl siding. However, over time, it may become stained and necessitate repainting due to weather exposure and excessive sunlight. With regular patching of holes and blemishes, stucco can last for 50+ years.
- Installation: Stucco installation can be more laborious since it involves painting every inch of the exterior of the house, unlike attaching wide panels as in other types of siding.
- Insulation Rating: Stucco hardens to form a robust barrier around your home, offering protection against the elements and assisting in sealing in both heat and cool air, depending on the season.
The low care requirements and outstanding long-term durability of stucco siding are just two of the many compelling reasons to give it some serious thought. Additionally, stucco siding has the benefit of requiring less energy to control interior temperature, which makes it especially useful during the oppressively hot summers encountered in the southwest.
Conclusion
For people who live in cold-winter and high-humidity climates, vinyl siding is a great and affordable option. It has the benefit of more insulation, which is a noticeable feature that stucco does not have. For people who live in hot, dry conditions like those found in the Southwest, however, stucco appears to be a better alternative. Additionally, homeowners can handle the relatively simple maintenance tasks for stucco themselves.