How To Tell The Difference Between Steel And Aluminum Siding

It usually ranges in thickness from 040 046.

How to tell the difference between steel and aluminum siding.

Aluminum siding and steel siding are both popular materials for residential construction. Although both are high performance options you might find that when it comes to the steel versus fiber. In fact aluminum is completely waterproof and provides excellent home protection against moisture problems. However telling the difference between aluminum and stainless steel can be very challenging especially when you re out in the field without a ton of tools to help you in identifying different metals.

If your siding is over 10 years old it will be very difficult to find a proper match. It is stronger and harder than aluminum and can better withstand hailstorms and low velocity impacts. What it does provide is superior protection to weather events like high winds or hail. However there are differences to consider when purchasing aluminum or steel siding.

Steel siding offers excellent protection and the best durability. Aluminum siding costs range up to 7 per square foot installed. Steel siding is a great alternative to both aluminum or vinyl. I was told you could use a magnet.

The largest manufacturer of aluminum siding was alcoa. Steel siding doesn t absorb moisture like other siding materials do as it s non porous so the panels won t freeze or crack. Vinyl and aluminum siding colors fade so over time so even if you are able to locate the manufacturer the colors will probably not match. Steel also protects against moisture and rot and might be a better solution if you re in a wet climate that s prone to flooding.

It is immune to insects and offers an excellent long term value at 7 per sq. I am not sure if they still produce aluminum siding. And 30 years of service. The drawback to steel siding is that it may not be available in the same number of styles and colors as vinyl or aluminum.

For homeowners who live in areas of extreme cold aluminum is a better choice than vinyl due to the fact that aluminum is not affected by extreme cold whereas vinyl can become brittle during severe cold snaps and can easily crack. Aluminum siding is a formed material typically 019 thick. You can purchase either one in a variety of finishes and both products cost less than proprietary composite board siding. Homeowners searching for the most durable exterior siding often end up torn between two major materials.

No matter how low the temperatures get steel siding will stand up to the cold. Is there an easy way to tell if you have aluminum or steel siding. Steel and fiber cement. Vinyl siding is an extruded plastic material.

Both steel siding and fiber cement siding are renowned for their longevity toughness and resilience while still working beautifully as residential cladding. Here s a short helpful article on how to tell the difference. Unlike steel siding aluminum does not rust.