Disadvantages of Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is durable, available in a number of colors and not hard to maintain. The material is made out of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and doesn't require any special hardware to install. Vinyl siding also lets you cover structures, including wood, that may not be in the best shape due to aging or weathering.

Vinyl siding is long lasting, but does have its disadvantages.

Lacking Insulation

Vinyl siding doesn't contain a layer of insulation on its backing. You must purchase and install your own foam board or other type of insulation first then the vinyl siding.

Easily Damaged

Severe storms, rocks, flying debris and heat easily damage the siding, and repairing the material is a difficult task. Vinyl siding is also prone to cracks and dents from bumping into the material while cutting the grass, using lawn instruments and other tools.

Repairing

If repairing, you have to replace an entire section of the siding. You also have to remove other sections to access the piece of vinyl siding you want to repair. If the problem area is close to the roof surface, you must remove the roof flashing to access the area you need to replace.

Colors

Vinyl siding's color range is not large. Only basic colors are available including shades of blue, red, brown and white. Not all manufacturers produce all colors. And when replacing a section of vinyl siding, you may or may not be able to match colors correctly due to your siding fading or the color no longer being available.

Toxic Issue

When vinyl siding burns, a chemical is released, toxic dioxin, which is a hazard to the environment.

Moisture Issue

Vinyl siding also holds moisture under its sections if not installed properly. Moisture leads to mildew and mold forming on the siding's underside and any insulation on your home. If the moisture issue is not taken care of, it can lead to mold entering your home's frame and rotting the wood.