These days most homeowners are opting for environmentally friendly materials and equipment for building their houses. Going green is definitely the trend that is popular in homes today. With the help of consistent recycling, energy efficient windows and appliances and automation it is possible to go green on the inside. Now you can even have house siding materials that are environmentally friendly.
Here is a list of eco-friendly siding materials that will not only protect your house, but also the environment.
Wood Siding
This material is perhaps the most popular siding option for homeowners. One reason for this is its timeless and classic appeal. There are plenty of options when it comes to wood siding. There is cedar, pine, cypress, redwood and Douglas-fir.
Cedar is the most popular owing to its natural moisture and bug repellant nature. With regular painting or staining house wood siding can outlast all other materials. These are also energy efficient, fully recyclable, locally sourced and natural. Wood siding is also easy to install.
However, maintaining wood sidings is a very costly endeavor. It requires a high level of maintenance otherwise it can damage easily. It is also prone to wood-damaging insects such as termites and ants. Wood is also more susceptible to rot and warp.
Metal
Metal siding, particularly steel is also one of the popular types of exterior siding. It is usually manufactured from recycled sources such as scrapped building material and old cars. Steel sidings are also easy to recycle making them one of the top choices for people looking for environmentally friendly siding materials.
Like wood, steel sidings are also easy to install and locally sourced. It is also a low maintenance option when compared to wood and other materials. Metal is also great at repelling insects and can withstand the daily wear and tear better.
On the other hand, metal siding is prone to denting and can be difficult to replace. It can also get scratched or pierced. Unless repaired immediately, this can lead to rusting. Steel sidings are also expensive and not suited for homes on the coast or are exposed to dampness and fog. Metal sidings are also not very energy efficient and doesn’t insulate well.
Rock Siding
Even though rock siding materials are nonrenewable resources, they are actually environmentally friendly. This is because they usually don’t need any chemical or synthetic treatment or finishes. Most other facades require some amount of chemical treatments.
You can find a locally sourced stone by speaking with your contractor. It is also highly energy efficient and natural. It also requires minimal manufacturing. However, it is very labor intensive to install and can be expensive.
Brick Siding
This is yet another environmentally friendly siding for houses. This is because of its core ingredients – clay, water and shale. It also has a very long lifespan. Brick siding is also highly energy efficient.
However, the manufacturing process for brick siding is very energy-intensive. The siding installation cost for brick is also very labor-intensive.