Exterior Wall Panel Types: Which One Do You Choose? | CCC

Those who plan to purchase an exterior wall panel will be pleased to know that they have many varieties to choose from, such as wood, brick, stone, vinyl and metal. Below is a guide that can help you choose the right one for your property.

Wood

This is one of the oldest siding options available and uses materials such as clapboard, lumber or plywood. It doesn’t require much energy to manufacture and though renewable it will also biodegrade as time passes. Wood siding may be painted in many different colors and can be stained to produce a natural appearance. It is also simple to repair, but one of its biggest downsides is its high cost, both to purchase and install. You’ll also need to spend money on ongoing maintenance such as repainting and resealing.

Brick

This material is both durable and attractive. However, due to its high cost, many homeowners choose brick veneer, which is a technique that resembles a structure fully made with brick without the load-bearing requirements, since brick veneer will only appear in the siding itself. Most visitors, neighbors and passersby won’t know the difference and by choosing a brick veneer you’ll save a fortune. And while also eco-friendly, its downside is that you don’t get the same color options as vinyl or metallic siding.

Stone

This material has many of the same benefits as brick, especially durability. For centuries, people across the world have used stone because of its natural beauty, and resistance against fire, cold and water. As with brick, it is one of the most expensive siding materials on this list, which is why many homeowners who want to install it choose stone veneer as an affordable alternative. Stone veneer performs the same function as brick veneer, giving your property the benefit of looking as if it was completely made from stone when in reality it only appears in the siding.

It is difficult to permanently stain stone siding. However, it is simple to clean using water and it will protect your home or business against extreme weather conditions. Aside from its high cost, another disadvantage of using stone is its weight.

Vinyl

This material’s biggest advantage is its endless textures and colors. However, it has a number of drawbacks, including fading and discoloration which will require you to replace it, perhaps in as little as five years. Another disadvantage is that vinyl must be cleaned annually; otherwise, it could become damaged by mold, mildew or dust. Furthermore, it doesn’t have the resilience of stone or brick and can be easily damaged if struck by objects such as hail stones.

Metal

Metallic wall panels come in multiple varieties, including titanium, aluminum, stainless steel, copper and zinc. In recent years it has become one of the most popular siding materials because it has all of the advantages of brick and stone with few of their weaknesses. For instance, it has a durability that easily matches brick and stone, yet it is far more flexible and thus capable of being shaped in many different ways. It is also resistant to fire and extreme weather and is simple to maintain.