Stucco vs Vinyl Siding: Which Is Better?
Your home’s exterior appearance is crucial. It sets the tone for what people should expect once they’re inside your home and also helps determine the value of your property. Vinyl siding has been a popular option for years and stucco has been renowned in particular areas.
However, if you’re torn between stucco and vinyl siding, you should know the key differences to determine which is better for you.
An Overview Of Vinyl and Stucco Siding
A vinyl siding is an engineered material made from plastic, typically PVC or polyvinyl chloride resin, and some materials that would modify its flexibility, color, durability, gloss, and resistance to breakage because of impact. First introduced in the 1950s, vinyl sidings have become popular since then. Stucco is a type of siding made from different materials such as acrylics, glass fibers, lime, and sand, collectively known as aggregate. This is glued together using a type of binder and water. When compared to vinyl sidings, which come in a standard size, stucco siding is allowed to set and applied wet. The materials that make stucco are formulated to improve its workability so it’s easy to modify and apply when and if necessary before it hardens. A stucco Colorado Springs contractor can help you install it in your home.
Key Differences Of Stucco And Vinyl Sidings
If you’re building a new home and determining which materials suit it best, it’s normal to be confused between stucco and vinyl siding. But, if you want to know which is better for your needs and personal preferences, below are the key differences you should know:
- Cost
The difference of vinyl and stucco siding in cost depends on certain factors. The traditional concrete stucco exteriors are inexpensive compared to the conventional vinyl siding. However, nearly each form of stucco is costlier than vinyl siding. That’s because the modern kinds of stucco use special materials, which make it more eco-friendly, durable, and attractive than other types of materials.
- Appearance
Vinyl is made from a rigid geometric panel, which is lined up with precision and bent accurately against the side of a house. Vinyl siding offers a cleaner look with small variance. It’s what most homeowners are searching for. Stucco, on the other hand, is three-dimensional, unique, and irregular. It creates an organic look that’s uncommon in some areas. Both vinyl and stucco siding may be colored to match some features on a house. When it comes to appearance, the only deciding factor is personal taste.
- Durability
A crucial factor is how durable the siding materials are and how great it would hold up in the long run. Both materials have great durability. With vinyl, the siding’s thickness matters significantly. It doesn’t include foam-back, but instead, it’s about the material’s thickness itself. Both materials are also fairly tough. Vinyl may withstand wind speeds up to 110mph, while the stucco siding may handle wind gusts for up to 130mph. Vinyl also gets mixed results in terms of resistance to hail damage. Thick siding means more resistance, but top of the line can be susceptible to damage. Stucco also provides better impact resistance even if big enough hail pieces or some materials might result in cracks. Just keep in mind, nonetheless, that the durability of either type of material depends on the level of skill and experience of the masonry Colorado Springs that you hire to install your siding.
- Installation
Vinyl siding is easy to install. Even beginners can install vinyl sidings by themselves. Stucco installation, on the contrary, requires contractors with skill and experience. There are also some stucco options available from actual concrete to foam sprays. Stucco also takes longer to install and needs a particular level of artistry. However, the results are typically more distinctive compared to standard siding.
- Protection
Vinyl sidings protect the home’s underlying structure from damage due to accidents in the yard or wind. It doesn’t provide more protection in other areas. Stucco sidings would protect your home exterior from damage while offering additional benefits. Stucco also insulates the walls, making cooling and heating systems more efficient. It may also lessen noise once installed with polymers and similar materials underneath.
- Maintenance
Vinyl and stucco sidings have various maintenance requirements. Vinyl sidings are made to be low maintenance. The panels are resilient and durable. Minor issues and dents can be fixed. Contractors may repair serious damage by replacing and removing the whole siding. In addition to that, vinyl is easy to clean with a standard hose. Stucco is strong and durable. It isn’t as simple to maintain in various situations. Stucco may stain over time due to weather and some factors. It may also chip or crack. Moreover, professional attention may be required when repairing stucco exteriors.
Conclusion
Vinyl and stucco siding have their own pros and cons. It’s difficult to say which materials are better since it may what exactly you’re looking. With proper maintenance and adequate application, quality stucco sidings have better resistance, longer lifespan to higher efficiency and severe weather conditions in comparison to easy to install and cheaper vinyl siding. However, low initial cost makes vinyl siding more attractive for many homeowners.