Vinyl Siding Thickness: Does It Matter or Not?

There has been a long-going debate if the thickness of vinyl sidings can make a difference in the function of sidings. Roofing experts would say that the thickness of vinyl sidings, which are usually made out of shakes, is quite important to the overall health of your sidings.

The thicker your sidings are, they will become more durable and stronger in terms of strength and lifespan. The thickness of your siding can also influence the overall aesthetic impact of your home on your visitors and inhabitants as well.

Since sidings are usually made out of shakes, the irregular and robust shapes of these sidings can help conceal imperfections on the layer beneath them. If you are looking for thicket sidings, this will generally cost you more but the amount that you will be spending for the extra thickness is negligible compared to the amount of durability that thick sidings can provide against the effects of weathering and seeping from weather damage.

Thickness

The thickness of each siding varies depending on the grade of the siding. In most cases, homeowners prefer the super-thick grade siding which is around 0.50 thick as it gives a good balance between the price and the amount of durability that you can get.

If you’re looking for soffit panels for your sidings, they should generally have at least 0.05 in thickness so they can firmly hold the vinyl sidings and prevent sagging once installed.

It is important that homeowners have to keep their sidings on flat surfaces that are dry and away from pests, pets, and children. If ever your sidings are exposed to extreme temperatures or low temperatures, this can cause your sidings to warm. Storing your sidings in cool dark places can help preserve the quality of your sidings.

Grades of Thickness

Homeowners have to be aware of the different thicknesses of sidings since these are the standard measurements used by your average builder’s depot. The building standards in the United States dictate that sidings should not be thinner than 0.035 inches.

• Builder’s Grade – Is around .40 mm thick, this is the thinnest and will cost less.
• Thin Residential Grade – This is around .42 mm thick and is second in being thin
• Standard Residential Grade – Moderately thick .44 mm
• Thick Residential Grade – Above average thickness of .46 mm
• Super Thick Grade – Second to the best in terms of thickness with .50 mm
• Premium Grade – The thickest with around .52 – .55 mm thickness

Importance

Even though most people would rather pick the thinnest and cheapest sidings that they can find, there is a multitude of benefits to installing thick vinyl siding on your house.

• Again, the thicker the siding, the more money that you will have to spend for your sidings, but if you weigh in on these factors, you are essentially saving money because you are investing in the longevity and durability of your home. By using thicker sidings, you are mitigating any risks of your shakes warping from extreme temperatures.
• Since thicker sidings feature more tensile strength and durability, it is less likely to crack under the weight and pressure of the roof. This also means that if great force was applied to a thick siding, the cracks would just be minimal and easy to repair.
• Thicker sidings also provide a good amount of insulation. Usually, you will see thicker sidings on houses that are situated in cold and wetter climates since low temperatures and water cannot easily penetrate the interior of your house’s framework and foundation.
• Because thick sidings have a more rigid shape, they are less likely to sag as time goes by. Thinner sidings, if exposed to cold temperatures, can easily sad over time if not attended to. However, homeowners still have to take into account the quality of their fastening system because that can also be a primary reason why sidings sag.
• Thick sidings provide a good amount of noise-cancellation and can easily sound and noise from entering your house if you are not fond of loud noises and can also stop noise from leaving your house if you like having much-needed privacy.
• Lastly, thicker sidings mean that you can also incorporate your own customized aesthetic design on the sidings since the thickness allows some space for design.

Overall, vinyl siding thickness can give you a multitude of benefits that can lengthen the lifespan of your house’s foundation and your roof. Thick sidings are best coupled with a good gutter system and overhangs so that rain is disposed of at a considerable distance away from your sidings which might cause rot and molds to form.

If you are not sure about the thickness of your sidings or the type of materials that you would be using for your house’s sidings, you can always contact a professional siding and roofing contractor for consultation on the best steps to take. Roofing Frederick MD is known for providing fast siding installation services while also doing extensive siding assessments to determine any damage to your siding and to your house.

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Semper West provides repairs, replacement, and installation for roofing, siding, windows, and gutters.  Residential and commercial services are available throughout the greater DC Metro area, including MD, DC, VA, and WV.

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