Aluminum vs. Vinyl Exterior Siding

Aluminum or vinyl exterior siding can increase the value of your home. But which one should you choose—aluminum siding or vinyl siding?

Aluminum siding became popular after World War II. It was one of the first siding options as an alternative to wood and still has something to offer. But aluminum siding has lost tremendous market share since vinyl siding, manufactured from polyvinyl chloride (PVC), started to gain momentum in the 1970s. A few years ago, aluminum was the only option if you didn’t go with wood, because traditional vinyl siding had not been able to truly replicate the appearance of a solid wood siding. But now manufacturers of vinyl siding have been making improvements and inroads into areas traditionally dominated by aluminum such as wood grain texturing. And, in general, vinyl is the less expensive of the two siding choices.

Properties
- Both aluminum and vinyl siding can be installed over almost any smooth exposed surface, including stucco, brick, block and wood. But you cannot install vinyl over aluminum.
- Aluminum is a painted metal, and the paint fades with time. Vinyl's color goes all the way through the plastic, and scratches are barely noticeable.
- Aluminum’s baked-on enamel finish, if scratched, will show the metal below and need touchup paint. Aluminum siding can be dented; vinyl resists denting.
- Vinyl siding is made from Polyvinyl Chloride or PVC and is considered by many to be an environmental hazard since it is very difficult to dispose of in an ecologically friendly way.
Durability
- Vinyl siding lasts 25 to 50 years.
- Aluminum siding will last between 40 years to as long as the building stands.
- Aluminum siding offers better insulation than vinyl.
- Aluminum is fireproof; vinyl is non-combustible, but high heat may cause the material to melt, bend or sag.
- Aluminum will not crack (as vinyl will), it offers greater energy efficiency than vinyl (creating lower cooling and heating costs), and it is more durable in severely cold temperatures.

3. Maintenance

While early versions of vinyl siding had a tendency to lose color or become brittle, now vinyl products have long lasting color, eliminating the need to re-paint your home every 5-10 years, as is necessary with aluminum. Vinyl siding has enjoyed tremendous popularity in part due to the fact that it is sold as a "lifetime product with no maintenance"—it only requires spraying off the grime that accumulates a few times a year. But it is important to consider that aluminum can be painted any color, to reflect the homeowner’s style and personality. Many people like the ability to change the color of their home for a different look. Vinyl siding should not be painted, so you will not have that option without losing a significant investment.