Introduction
Polymer siding is an engineered siding material made from a durable plastic called polypropylene resin. Polypropylene resin is a very useful type of plastic, which has many commercial, industrial uses. Polypropylene is generally considered safe for use. It does not cause any harm.
Polymer siding is more durable, low maintenance, easy installation, and heat resistant than ordinary siding. Polymer Siding is in vogue in today’s time.
Many manufacturing companies manufacture polymer siding panels in different sizes, textures, and colors. That’s why the owners have the option of many designs and patterns.
But still, Polymer Siding has many advantages with very few drawbacks. So let’s know in brief the advantages and disadvantages of Polymer Siding. It is important to know about this amazing material before using it.
Polymer siding Pros and Cons
Pros
Durable
There are many types of polymer siding materials available in the market. Some companies give a warranty of 20 to 30 years. According to the experts, the lifespan of polymers siding is about 20 to 40 years, If it is taken care of regularly.
The quality of polymer siding panels is higher than another plastic siding. Before making the final deal, definitely take information about the quality and warranty details from your dealer.
Appearance
More than 100 designs and patterns of engineered siding panels are available in the market. Some better quality siding panels provide three-dimensional grain, Which almost looks like natural wood or stone veneers.
Extra thickness
The thickness of polymers siding material is almost twice as compared to vinyl or other siding materials. So that it can easily withstand hail, strong wind, and bad weather.
Low Maintenance
By the way, any engineered material needs regular maintenance to keep siding healthy for a long time. But some rough and tough materials require less maintenance such as polymer siding materials. So that you save a lot of money by using polymer.
Insulation
The polymer siding has medium heat-resistant properties. Panels act as good insulation. Whereas other materials like aluminum and steel absorb more heat.
Easy to install and Customize
Compared to other sidings, the polymer is one of the easiest to install. Because the polymer material is a plastic material that can be easily cut and folded. Which can also be installed by ordinary tools.
The installation process of polymer siding is similar to vinyl. Therefore, no other guideline is required to install it.
Cons
High Price
The price of polymer siding is almost twice the cost of another siding. If you buy panels in bulk, then the dealer may give you a good discount.
Vinyl siding comes in at $2 to $7 per square foot. Whereas polymer seeding costs about $3 to $15 per square foot. Which is almost twice the price of Vinyl panels.
Required Factory-certified Technicians
Although it is quite easy to install polymer or vinyl siding, it is not safe to do it yourself. You may face many challenges while installing. In this way, you do not want to waste expensive panels.
In such a situation, it should be installed only by Factory-certified Technicians. It may cost you a little but it will be a better option for your wall.
Availability
For some countries, polymer siding may be the new seeding material. In such a situation, you do not get to see a lot of variety of polymer siding in such a country.
Polymer siding cost
The cost of polymer seeding is almost twice that of vinyl. Vinyl siding costs about $2 to $7 per square foot, while polymer siding costs $3 to $15 per square foot. This price depends on many things. As for the quality of panels, and how many panels are you buying? Or Its price varies from state to state.
In the table given below, you can see the difference between the price of polymer siding and the rest of the other siding.
| Cost Per Square Foot | |
| Engineered Wood | $2 – $4 |
| Wood | $2 – $6 |
| Steel | $3 – $10 |
| Aluminum | $3 – $11 |
| Vinyl | $3 – $11 |
| Polymer | $3 – $15 |
| Stucco | $4 – $8 |
| Fiber Cement | $6 – $13 |
| Brick | $7 – $15 |
| Stone | $17 – $30 |
Cleaning and Maintenance Tips for Polymer Siding
Avoid Hard Brush: The brushes used for cleaning should be soft and comfortable. A steel wool scrub or hard brush will be responsible for scratches and dents. So avoid using hard brushes.
A cloth or rubber scrub would be more suitable, use light hands. Otherwise, there is a possibility of removing layers of paint and shining also fades.
Cleaning solutions: Most owners make mistakes in choosing a cleaning solution. Acidic solutions tend to discolor your siding panels.
For the solutions, make a mixer of 70% clean water and 30% white vinegar. It is 100% safe and cheaper than other solutions. After making one spray of this solution, wait for 15 minutes. Then clean, this will allow you to clean faster and better.
Be careful with spot cleaners: After cleaning, small spots are formed on the seeding surface. This spot It’s basically the mineral deposits left behind in a bead of water. Never use solvents like straight bleach, grease remover, or nail polish remover to get rid of such unwanted spots.
Avoid high-Pressure Washers: Avoid using high-pressure washers. This can damage your panels. A garden hose washer is a better option. Siding manufacturers do not recommend using high-pressure washers. This may void your warranty as well.
Can you paint the Polymer Siding?
Yes, you can easily paint. You can do this many times. But there are some rules and limitations of painting plastic siding, which you should know before painting.
As such confirm that painting the siding won’t void its warranty if there is any warranty left. If the warranty gives permission to paint, then also be sure to know what type of paint to use and how often.
The dark color absorbs heat so that the lifespan of your siding panels can be reduced. Always choose paint of good quality.
Polymer siding manufacturers
CertainTeed offers seven types of polymer siding panels. Such as shingles, rough-split shakes, half-round shingles, and more.
Novik is another company that is famous for making siding panels. It has created a dry stack rock that is inspired by the natural beauty, authentic color, and realism of Carrara marble with the great look and texture of a dry stack stone wall. They have hundreds of colors and textures available.
Where to buy polymer siding?
Some companies take orders from their official website and you get the panels of some companies on e-commerce websites like homedepot and lowes. You can also buy from the direct store. You can also get more design options in the store.
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