If you’re considering building or remodeling a home, you’ve probably battled with which siding material to choose. Steel is a durable, low-maintenance siding material. It’s also environmentally sustainable, fire resistant, and available in a variety of colors and styles.

Advantages of Installing Steel Siding

Here are the top five benefits of choosing metal as your primary siding material.

1. Metal Siding is Durable

Metal siding can last more than 50 years. Compare that with some vinyl products that last only 30. Metal is also stronger and thicker than vinyl and won’t crack, warp, or chip. Steel can withstand extreme weather like heavy winds, snow, frost, rain, and sleet. It’s also moisture, mold, and insect resistant, eliminating problems you may frequently face with other types of siding like wood and vinyl.

2. Steel Siding Options

Steel siding comes in a wide range of colors, textures, patterns, and styles. You can create a custom look for your home that fits your lifestyle and unique taste. It can even be designed to mimic other building materials, like wood. Whether you’re going for a modern, industrial, rustic, or traditional look, metal siding can help you achieve it.

3. Steel Is Sustainable

Steel is a good choice if you value eco-friendly building. It can be 100% recycled at the end of its useful life. As mentioned above, steel also lasts longer than many other building materials, requiring less renovation and waste.

4. Steel Is Fire Resistant

While vinyl is flammable and can melt quickly in heat, metal siding is noncombustible. If you want to reduce your home’s risk of fire damage, steel is one of the best building materials available. To make your building even more fire-resistant, install steel roofing as well as metal soffits or eave overhangs.

Steel Siding Maintenance

Though steel siding does not require the same level of maintenance as its vinyl counterparts, there are a few things a homeowner needs to keep in mind. To ensure your steel siding looks its best, take precautions to void these issues.

1. Rust

Steel holds its color better than aluminum, but problems can arise if your siding is damaged and remains exposed to the elements—like moisture. If you don’t repair a damaged area, it can begin to rust.

2. Insulation

If you don’t insulate your steel siding well, your building may not be as energy efficient as you’d like. You may also hear outside noises more easily than buildings that are better insulated. To solve this problem, call a professional to install quality insulation to create a barrier that effectively keeps the hot or cold air outside. Spray foam and fiberglass insulation are two of the best options. Once your building is insulated properly, your space should stay comfortable all year long.

3. Affordability

Metal siding will generally cost more than vinyl, but it could last decades longer before needing to be replaced. It’s sturdier than vinyl and more resistant to hail damage. It won’t fade or warp in the sun like vinyl can.

Will Insurance Cover Hail and Wind Damage to Steel Siding?

5,000 hailstorms occur every year, making hail damage a real concern for home and business owners. The cost to repair damaged siding can range from hundreds to thousands of dollars. Fortunately, standard insurance policies cover siding damage caused by hail and wind. Ask your insurance company if your policy includes these perils or if you need extra coverage.

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