A variety of house building products are available to the house owners, nowadays. It becomes really difficult to choose among them. Due to their cost effectiveness, stucco and siding still remain the primary choices for general house builders. Both of them possess certain pros and cons and here we would be discussing their detailed and comparative features to enable the reader to decide the best option for his home.

Stucco is basically a mixture of lime, sand and water, which is used as a coating on walls and ceilings. But, sometimes Portland cement as well as other synthetic products like, acrylic and glass fibers are also added to the traditional stucco mixture in order to increase durability, flexibility, water resistance and other desirable properties. It is strong, involves minimal maintenance and can be practically installed on almost all wall surfaces.

Siding, basically is the outer covering of a house, for shedding water, protecting the building from weather effects and also, adding an aesthetic value to the whole house. Siding is generally formed of horizontal or vertical boards or sheets made up of wood, metal or plastic(vinyl).

Wood siding involves simple installation and a versatile style but, it is also associated with high maintenance like, protection from ants and termites, heavy humid conditions etc. Galvanized metal sheets or corrugated aluminium cladding are also popular due to their high strength, fire resistance, resistance to pests and bugs and minimal maintenance cost. But, they also include poor insulation and heavy installation. Plastic or, vinyl siding composed of poly vinyl chloride(PVC), perfectly fits the bill and hence, is the most popular siding at present. It is available in long thin planks, which are installed in overlapping rows covering the external walls of the house. It is lightweight, easy to install, moisture resistant and requires a minimal maintenance. Read the rest of this entry »