The climate of Florida ranges from tropical to humid subtropical, the entire state getting a rainy season from May to October, with strong thunderstorms and extended rainy periods and a dry period between October and April, with occasional storms and colder weather. The varied weather that is periodically characterized by extreme heat and comes with low temperatures as well requires homeowners across the state to pay special attention to the protective elements used on their homes, especially when it comes to choosing the material that protects their walls from the weather on the exterior. Siding panels, though often neglected, do matter a lot – siding made from the right type of material can significantly reduce heating and cooling bills, they can maintain the attractive appearance of the building and they can also preserve the building’s home in good condition by protecting them against the elements, including rain, wind, fire and hail. If you are currently in the process of finding the best siding solution for your Florida home, according to siding and roofing Pensacola contractors, here are some of your best options.
Vinyl Siding
Made from resistant and durable PVC material, vinyl siding is a long-lived, affordable and attractive siding solution, just great for Florida homes. PVC siding requires almost no maintenance – other than an occasional wash with some soap water, you hardly need to do any maintenance work on your siding – and it is capable of maintaining its color and texture for up to 40 years, while protecting your home against wind, rain and pests. Vinyl siding panels come in a wide variety of colors and textures, too.
If you are looking for a solution that enhances your building’s energy efficiency, you might want to add some foam backing between the walls and the siding panels.
Fiber Cement Siding
Made from cellulose, cement and sand, fiber cement siding panels is another attractive, durable and accessible solution. The material is resistant not only to rain and wind, but to pest attacks and to fire as well. You can expect your cement siding panels to maintain their color for up to 15 years, so you might need to occasionally add a fresh coat of paint, but no other maintenance is required. Most cement siding panels are warranted for around 50 years.
Aluminum Panels
Aluminum is a lightweight, yet resistant and durable material that is not very expensive to manufacture, so aluminum siding is another great option for your building in Florida. The alloys used in the panels are resistant to corrosion, fire and termites, but very large hail stones might cause dents, scratches or cracks that can be remedied only removing the damaged panel. Aluminum siding is warranted for 40 years or longer and is available in a wide range of colors and textures. Aluminum siding panels don’t need maintenance, but you can repaint them to any color you want and you can decide to apply a different finish as well – all you need is the paint and a tool to apply it properly, in a smooth and even layer.