September 13, 2022
Bellwether is proud to be an Elite Preferred James Hardie contractor because we believe in the quality and the benefits
Bellwether is a team of home exterior experts. Besides window replacement, insulation, gutters, paint, and exterior design, we are most knowledgeable about home siding for Colorado homes. While our first recommendation for Colorado homes is fiber cement siding, you may choose a different siding option for your home—and you can be certain that we are just as knowledgeable about these alternatives. Recently, there has been a resurgence in the use of metal siding products, and at Bellwether, we understand the benefits and drawbacks of metal siding for your Colorado home.
Recent technology has improved both the functionality and appearance of metal siding products. Metal siding is a stronger material than vinyl or wood siding, usually made aluminum or steel, and therefore it offers more protections than vinyl or wood. Plus, with new joinery techniques, metal siding can achieve a similar look to vinyl siding and wood siding.
Once installed, metal siding requires little maintenance, and will not rust in any season of Colorado weather. Metal siding will not rot, mold, or fade under the Colorado sun, and it is not attractive to pests or insects. Metal siding is also resistant to fire, which is especially important to protect mountain homes.
While aluminum metal siding was once a popular option because of its lightweight composition, it is becoming less appealing over time because of its tendency to damage. The lightness of the material makes it susceptible to some harsher Colorado elements, such as hail and ice, or even everyday run-ins like stray balls or a falling branch. While aluminum siding doesn’t break under these impacts, it does easily scratch and dent. Aluminum metal siding is generally pre-painted by the manufacturer, and it can be repainted, making it longer-life option available in a variety of colors. But because of its susceptibility to damage, repainting and paint touch-ups are a part of metal siding maintenance.
Another metal siding option is steel siding which is a thicker and heavier metal siding material, making it stronger against potential hazards. However, steel siding is still vulnerable to hail storms and higher-impact blows. Like its aluminum siding relative, steel siding comes pre-painted and can be repainted, a necessity due to the potential for scratch and dent damage.
The main appeal of metal siding was once the affordability, and that is no longer the case. While more budget-friendly than some options, aluminum siding for Colorado homes runs parallel to the cost of fiber cement siding products, such as James Hardie fiber cement siding, a much better option for the Colorado climate. Additionally, James Hardie fiber cement siding offers the style options that match the aesthetics of metal siding, making it the frontrunner for you home siding options.
While metal siding is as effective against some environmental and wildlife elements as fiber cement siding, it is not as naturally insulated as fiber cement siding. Metal siding will protect the exterior of your home, but offers less control over the interior environment. Even though Bellwether-installed metal siding will keep your home dry and protected, homes with metal siding are not as easily climate-controlled.
Metal siding can also be more difficult to maintain and the paint may become scratched or damaged. With the rising prices of metal over the last few years, metal siding is no longer a cost-effective siding option, and steel siding is especially expensive to install.
Matched in price and style, our Bellwether experts recommend a more Colorado appropriate siding option, like fiber cement siding.
This steel product presents as beautiful wood grain, and comes painted in a variety of long-lasting colors. Color-options range from neutral tones like Fresh Canvas, Fawn, and Aged Walnut, to bolder options such as Evening Shade, Midnight Blue, and Dark Espresso. Because metal siding can be repainted, you always have the option of updating your home’s paint color.
Regardless of your home siding material, we will always adhere to the manufacturers’ best practices as the minimum standard for our installation procedures, with a guarantee that your metal siding is properly installed with an expertly designed moisture management system. This design includes flashing, moisture barriers, drainage holes, and careful caulking to create a barrier between the living spaces of your home and the outside environment so that your home stays warm and dry.
Our expert designs work hand-in-hand with industry standards for the best results from your home siding. We can answer any questions about metal siding, and also explain the benefits of other siding products, such as James Hardie fiber cement siding.
Unique to Bellwether, we offer a pre construction meeting where we provide a clear and detailed scope before we begin building.
Open communication with project manager crew leader, and internal representatives.
It's not over until you say so. We value your satisfaction with our product above all else. We offer final walkthrough to guarantee you are pleased.
Our team is proud to serve our homeowners on the Front range of Colorado. We know the unique needs of our clients and deeply care about the look and durability of your home’s exterior. Our team of experts are here to guide you through the process of repairing or replacing your home’s siding and windows.
30 - year Product Warranty | 15 - year Finish Warranty
Personalized Exterior Design Service
Excellent Service & Support Throughout Project Lifecycle
3D & HD Renderings of Your Home
Our team is proud to serve our homeowners on the Front range of Colorado. We know the unique needs of our clients and deeply care about the look and durability of your home’s exterior. Our team of experts are here to guide you through the process of repairing or replacing your home’s siding and windows.
30 - year Product Warranty | 15 - year Finish Warranty
Exellent Service & Support Throughout Project Lifecycle
Personalized Exterior Design Service
3D & HD Renderings of Your Home
Metal siding is a stronger material than vinyl or wood siding, usually made with aluminum or steel, and therefore it offers more protection than vinyl or wood. Metal siding requires little maintenance, and will not rust, rot, mold, or fade under the Colorado sun. It is resistant to pests and insects, and highly resistant to fire. While these are attractive arguments for metal siding, it is important to note the drawbacks: metal siding requires hire maintenance and can easily scratch. Plus, because of the cost of metal materials, metal siding is not the most cost-effective option.
Historically, metal siding was constructed from aluminum or steel. Aluminum metal siding was once a popular option because of its lightweight composition; however, this same reason makes it more susceptible to damage. Another metal siding option is steel siding which is a thicker and heavier metal siding material, making it stronger against potential hazards, however, steel siding is still vulnerable to hail storms and higher-impact blows. The main appeal of metal siding was once the affordability, but as the metal fabrication industry changes, metal siding is now not cost-effective.
Bellwether recommends a more cost-effective siding option, like fiber cement siding. Fiber cement siding has comparable benefits to metal siding, including its resistance to fire, which is important for Colorado mountain homes. However, fiber cement siding is much more durable and requires little upkeep to maintain its beauty and effectiveness for a lifetime. Fiber cement siding comes in the same siding style and color options as metal siding without risk of damage to the paint.
Bellwether is proud to be an Elite Preferred James Hardie contractor because we believe in the quality and the benefits
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