Is Thicker Composite Siding Better?

It’s a simple question: Is thicker composite siding better?

Well, that all depends on your perspective. From a cost standpoint, thicker is always more expensive. However, from a quality perspective, there is no doubt that thicker is better. Thicker is also going to last longer and provide more insulation, so thicker composite siding could be better for a homeowner over the long run. Here is a closer look at how thickness should impact your decision.

Know The Different Sizes in Siding 

Basically, siding comes in sizes between 0.40 to 0.54 in diameter. Each size has a name associated with it:

• Builder’s grade (0.40")
• Thin residential (0.42")
• Standard residential (0.44")
• Thick residential (0.46")
• Super-thick (0.50")
• High-end (0.54")

As a rule of thumb, siding between 0.40-0.45 mm is generally considered mid-grade. Whereas, anything above 0.45 mm would be classified as premium.

Do you really need to spend the extra money on premier siding?

To answer that question, you first need to ask yourself two other questions. First of all, where do you live? If you live in a Northern community with harsh winters, the extra money you spend will go a long way. If your house has to stand up to extreme cold snaps, or being pelted with snow and ice during a storm, a cheap and thin siding is probably not going to last you more than a year or two. At the same time, a home in a Southern community will have to stand up to more heat and humidity in the summer. This can also cause lower grade siding to crack, warp or fade. A thicker siding is also going to offer you more R-value, which means more protection from the outside weather. This means your HVAC system isn’t going to have to work as hard, which can save you some money on your utility bills. Again, the more extreme your local weather, the bigger the impact this will have. The second question is, do you have kids? Kids add another layer of punishment that the exterior of your home will have to stand up to. A thicker siding will stand up better to errant hockey pucks and baseballs or anything else your kids can throw at it.

The Choice is Yours

The real question is what will work for your home? Ask yourself what your home has to stand up to, and that should influence your buying decision. If you try to save too much money now, it could end up costing you a lot more money over the long run. Affordable is only valuable if you don’t have to replace it again in 2-3 years.