Vinyl Siding vs. Brick Siding: Making The Right Choice For Your Home
Whether you’re remodeling to enhance the look of your current home or building a new home, the choice you make for siding material is an important one. The residential siding industry is projected to top $126 billion by 2024, thanks to the multiple benefits it offers.
Siding not only protects your home’s exterior from extreme weather conditions, it also contributes to curb appeal.
Luckily, there are several types of siding materials to choose from. Although vinyl siding dominates the market, brick is also a popular option, along with stone veneer, stucco, aluminum siding, and wood siding. In this guide, we will compare vinyl siding and brick siding options to help you make a more informed choice.
While both options have their benefits, there are key differences to consider during the decision-making process.
Benefits Of Vinyl Siding
Let’s first look at several of the features that make vinyl siding the most popular option
Versatility of the Building Material
Vinyl is an extremely strong form of plastic. It can be produced to replicate many patterns, architectural styles, shapes and color options. That versatility makes it possible to customize the look to resemble timber, brick, cedar shake etc. You can also choose from a huge variety of colors to match any motif.
Durability for Long Life
Durability is an important benefit of vinyl siding. As mentioned, its material properties resemble that of plastic, although it’s much stronger than most household plastics. WIth basic maintenance, vinyl siding can last 30 years or more and color options are made to resist fading over time.
Low Maintenance Requirements
The upkeep on vinyl siding is minimal and requires very little maintenance. Since the siding comes in a wide variety of unique colors, it does not require additional painting. While some negligible fading of the color may occur over several decades, you always have the option to re-paint (but it’s typically not necessary).
The most critical maintenance for your vinyl siding is to keep it clean. This can be done with simple pressure washing once every 2-3 years and will help prevent accumulation of mildew and staining.
Cost-Effective Installation Cost
Vinyl is definitely the most economical siding option. On average, homeowners spend $3 to $7 per square foot for new siding and installation on their home. The siding costs can even be lower if you are only replacing a portion of the total area.
These relatively low installation costs, combined with inexpensive maintenance, make vinyl the most affordable type of home siding.
Cons of Vinyl Siding
No building material is perfect, and there are a few characteristics to consider with vinyl siding. These issues are not significant, and you can solve them or prevent them altogether.
Durability Compared to Brick Siding
While vinyl exhibits impressive durability, it’s not quite as substantial as brick siding. However, keep in mind that it’s typical for vinyl to last 30+ years, and you can maximize its life by working with a great siding contractor to ensure it is installed properly.
Potential For Air Pollution
Although vinyl siding is somewhat fire-resistant and more difficult to ignite than many other materials, in the case of a catastrophic house fire, vinyl will burn and can release toxic gases when it does.
Appearance & Curb Appeal
Appearance is all about personal preference. And while some potential buyers may prefer the look of another material, such as brick or stone siding, many people find the assortment of vinyl options to be quite appealing.
Benefits Of Brick Siding
Brick is one of the oldest construction materials. It has been used for centuries, and it is still in demand today. (For the purpose of this comparison, we are referring to brick veneer or brick cladding applied to the exterior surface of the home, not the primary structure or base building material.)
Here are the main reasons some people prefer brick as a siding material.
Minimal Upkeep
A high quality, well-maintained brick veneer can outlast vinyl. However, this comes with a caveat, as expert installation is key and costs are higher.
Good Energy Efficiency
If you live in an area subject to temperature extremes, great siding can help keep your house at optimum temperatures. Brick siding is an exceptional insulator.
Cons Of Brick Siding
While brick does have its advantages, there are also some features that are less than ideal. Here are the common drawbacks brick siding:
High Costs Per Square Foot
Brick is certainly a more expensive option. From the material cost to installation and maintenance, you will incur more cost to preserve its quality.
Maintenance Considerations
First and foremost, it is crucial to make sure brick siding is properly installed. Subpar installation can result in notable issues such as crooked or loose bricks. Unlike vinyl, bricks can also absorb water. This absorption can lead to serious water damage to your home’s structure and use of mortar can degrade over time and require re-pointing.
Lack Of Versatility
Bricks come in a limited number of colors, shapes and designs. The choices are relatively scarce, and this may make it harder to find what you want. Lack of versatility limits its use in some buildings.
Environmental Impact
The effect a product has on the environment is a significant concern for many homeowners today, and vinyl has an edge in that area. Brick kilns account for a substantial contribution to air pollution and the production of toxic fumes.
Notable Differences Between Vinyl and Brick Siding
As you can see, it’s apparent that there are several differences between vinyl and brick siding. Here is a summary of the main distinctions:
- Vinyl offers more options relevant to aesthetic appearance. It comes in impressive shapes and profiles that can match all architectural styles. Also, the wide array of colors to choose from ensures you can get exactly what you want.
- The average lifespan of vinyl siding is 30 years, but brick can last even longer. If longevity is your primary consideration, brick has the edge. However, if you’d like the flexibility to update your home’s look down the road, vinyl is the better choice.
- If you’re on a budget, vinyl has a clear advantage. From the installation costs to maintenance expenses, vinyl is the most affordable option. This affordability is a primary reason it is the most popular type of siding in the world.
Vinyl Siding vs. Brick Siding: Which Is Right For You?
As you can see with the points listed above, both vinyl and brick have their pros and cons. Vinyl is cost-effective and extremely versatile. On the other hand, brick is costly but has an edge in long-term durability. Whether you choose vinyl or brick, be sure that you are getting high quality materials from a reputable manufacturer.
Install Your Vinyl Siding Today
Factorydirectsiding.com provides superior vinyl shake siding options. Our extensive experience in the home siding industry means that we have the expertise you can rely on when considering vinyl siding vs. brick siding for your home. Please contact us for more information regarding our products.
