If your old wood siding is decaying and run down, it's time to decide what you'll do about new siding. If you loved your wood siding, you may want the same kind of new siding. Plus, you're familiar with the expense and amount of work needed to maintain wood. However, you could also put on a different type of siding, and it might even be possible to put the new siding on top of the old wood siding.

Common options for home siding materials include vinyl, metal, and fiber cement. However, you might also consider engineered wood. Here's a look at your options for siding materials.

Vinyl Is Popular And Affordable

Vinyl is one of the more popular siding materials. It's also one of the most affordable, which helps make it popular. Vinyl siding is available in many colors, and the color doesn't flake off. A scratch shows the same color deep inside as it does on the surface.

An interesting point about vinyl siding is that it has to have room to expand and contract along with temperature changes. This is never an issue if the siding is installed properly, and that's one reason professional installation is probably best. Vinyl siding is suitable for all climates, but it's possible the siding will crack in very cold weather.

Metal Siding Can Dent Due To Impacts

Metal siding can be dented by exuberant kids, hail, or flying debris. However, it tolerates temperature extremes and rain well. You can buy steel or aluminum siding. Some metal siding is coated with vinyl, and newer metal siding is less prone to color fading.

Metal siding doesn't require a lot of maintenance. However, if you buy standard panels, the paint could fade or chalk could form and require washing or repainting occasionally.

Engineered Wood Needs Less Care Than Real Wood

If you like the way your wood siding looks but you don't have time for the maintenance needed, then engineered wood is worth a close look. It looks like real wood because it's made from wood fibers that are coated in resin. The resin makes the wood stronger and less resistant to damage. Plus, when the siding is manufactured, it's treated to resist termites and rot.

Engineered wood costs less than real wood siding, and you'll probably pay less over its lifetime in maintenance and repairs. A good point about engineered wood is that while it looks like real wood, it doesn't require nearly as much maintenance as real wood does.

Fiber Cement Is Heavy And Durable

Fiber cement is one of the heavier siding materials, and it can be difficult to install. However, once it's in place, it offers excellent protection for your home. This siding material is made from cellulose fibers, sand, and cement. It has an appearance that looks like wood, but just like engineered wood, fiber cement needs very little maintenance.

You can buy fiber cement siding prefinished so you don't need to have it painted once it's installed. Since the siding doesn't rot, it has a long life and usually comes with a long warranty too.

Talk to a siding contractor about the options available for siding materials. You want siding that makes your home attractive while fitting in your budget. Plus, you probably want siding that won't require a lot of time and money to maintain.