Which New Siding Is Best for Your Home’s Value? Learn About the Siding Options Chicago Homeowners Are Choosing for Durability and Beauty

New siding is a fresh start for your home! Many Chicago homeowners wonder which siding replacement option offers the best balance of cost, durability, and value for cost, performance, and return on investment (ROI) here in Chicago’s four-season climate that can throw some real curveballs when it comes to home maintenance. If you’re wondering whether it’s time for new siding, check the signs you need siding replacement. The good news is that modern siding materials and quality installation can make any option you choose a smart fit that will protect and insulate your home for years to come. However, different siding options do offer different pros and cons. Let’s make sure you’re choosing the best siding for home value. Come learn how different siding options stack up.

For most homeowners, new siding simply means vinyl siding replacement. Vinyl is the most common siding option across the board because it’s such an accessible, versatile option for homeowners looking to get new siding on a budget. Regarded for its durability and low cost, vinyl is a very universal choice that works beautifully in the Midwest climate. As the most cost-effective option, vinyl siding’s ROI is generally considered the highest among siding options because homeowners get insulation and curb appeal without a large cost.

How long does vinyl siding last? When maintained properly, vinyl siding that’s installed today may last anywhere from 20 to 50 years. When going with vinyl, it’s essential to select a high-quality siding model over cheaper options that are prone to warping, buckling, cracking, or color loss. Quality workmanship that allows you to enjoy the best possible results from the vinyl design you’ve chosen is also important. At Lang Home Exteriors, we provide a quality selection that helps homeowners get an impressive finished product that looks much more expensive than it actually was to install.

Homeowners looking for an elevated aesthetic with slightly more durability often find themselves looking closely at both vinyl vs James Hardie fiber cement siding, and also fiber cement vs engineered wood siding before making their final decision. Growing in popularity each year due to its desirability factor among homebuyers, fiber cement siding is a durable composite that’s made from a combination of cellulose fibers (wood pulp), sand, and cement. Lang Home Exteriors proudly specializes in installing James Hardie fiber cement siding, also known as Hardie Board (or Hardie® Plank) which is renowned across the industry for its unmatched quality and durability.

How long does James Hardie fiber cement siding last? Well-maintained fiber cement siding that’s installed today can easily last for 50, 60, or 100 years. Of course, fiber cement siding replacement at your home will cost more than vinyl siding replacement. Depending on the materials used, James Hardie fiber cement can cost between 10% and 20% more than vinyl.

One product we’re always excited to introduce to customers here at Lang Home Exteriors is LP SmartSide engineered wood. LP SmartSide engineered wood is made from curl-resistant aspen wood chips. In addition to offering unrivaled resistance to impact, winds, and critters, this siding is harvested using a method with very minimal tree waste. Is engineered wood worth it? For price, LP engineered wood replacement falls in between vinyl and fiber cement.

• Natural wood aesthetic
• 50-year lifespan
• Simple installation
• Can withstand wind up to 200 miles per hour
• Resists fungal decay and termites
• LP plants two trees for each one used as part of its Sustainable Forest System

• Risks for moisture damage when not properly installed
• Generally needs to be repainted every 10 to 15 years to maintain its protection and appearance, while prefinished LP SmartSide ExpertFinish can last 20 years or more before needing a new paint job

When the goal is to increase a home’s resale value, the truth is that any style of professionally installed and thoughtfully chosen vinyl, James Hardie fiber cement, or LP SmartSide engineered wood siding will get the job done. However, your personal return on investment will vary based on actual siding cost per square foot with your materials and installation costs tallied up. Overall, fiber cement siding tends to come out on top because it’s generally considered the most durable siding and best siding for cold climates. James Hardie fiber cement is excellent in Chicago’s four-season climate that’s characterized by its hot summers and winters marked with that inevitable freeze-thaw cycle that causes a home’s building materials to expand and contract. That’s not to say that vinyl and engineered wood can’t also hold up nicely for decades in the Midwestern climate.

If your reasoning for getting new siding installed at your Chicago home is that you want to keep your home beautiful and boost its value, Realtor.com shares that the average return on investment for options like James Hardie fiber cement, LP SmartSide engineered wood and certain vinyl options can be as high as 92%. If your goal is to make your home healthier and more efficient, upgrading to new siding can boost efficiency and reduce risks for rot and mold.

Quality installation is key for both James Hardie and LP Smartside products to best perform in their durability and stunning curb appeal. Schedule your free siding replacement consultation with Lang Home Exteriors today and discover how the right siding can boost your home’s beauty and value.