When it comes to siding, beauty is no longer everything. As severe weather events and lengthier homeownership become more common, homeowners want siding that is durable, long-lasting, eco-friendly and high-quality.

Residential steel siding can deliver on all of these needs, while still being exceptionally attractive. Let’s look at the durability and longevity of steel siding, along with what you can expect to pay over the lifetime of steel.

Durability

If you want a long-lasting siding, you need to choose a material that’s durable, as they go hand-in-hand. And when it comes to durability, steel siding is at the top of the siding material list. 

Part of the reason steel siding is so durable is its thickness. Quality steel siding from a reputable company is made from heavy gauge steel, so it can stand strong against hail and extreme storms and be less prone to dents, bumps and dings. 

An eco-friendly, recyclable material, steel is a great choice for sustainable builds. It is also low maintenance, reasonably priced and performs well in practically every climate. Steel is unappealing to insects and resistant to fire, mold and fungus.

However, not all steel siding brands are equal. To be truly durable, it needs to have a quality finish and paint combination, such as Klauer’s proprietary texture finish and CoolPaint Technology™, which uses infrared reflective pigments in the paint to help improve the energy efficiency of your home. With the right finishes, your siding will be maintenance-free — meaning worry-free weekends for you. 

Longevity

Thanks to its superior durability, steel siding can last up to 50 years or more. Steel is heavy and strong and will not become brittle with age. That doesn’t mean no maintenance is required, however.

As durable as steel siding is, after a severe weather event, it’s always a good idea to take a walk around your house to check for any potential damage. If steel siding panels are damaged so severely that bare steel is exposed, replacing affected panel(s) is the best course of action. If it’s deemed impractical to replace, damaged sections must be primed and painted over to keep rust from developing.

If, after a rainstorm or while gardening, you get dirt or mud on the siding, a quick wash with a hose is a good idea. If the dirt is particularly stuck on, just use a mild detergent along with the hose. No need to pressure wash! 

To ensure further longevity and protect your investment, your steel siding warranty is an important piece as well. Klauer’s limited lifetime warranty covers normal weather wear and tear such as cracks, blisters and flaking, as well as hail protection.

Lifetime Cost

The national average cost of residential steel siding falls between $10,000 and $20,000, depending on the specific material and square footage of the area, with the cost of steel averaging $4 – $5 per square foot. Installation, labor and equipment will need to be factored into the final cost as well, averaging between $3 – $5 per square foot. While this upfront cost is greater than vinyl, in many areas of the country it is similar in cost to fiber cement or engineered wood siding.

While it may feel better to choose a cheaper option such as vinyl, it’s important to keep long-term performance, maintenance and replacement costs in mind. Vinyl, for example, usually needs to be replaced within a couple of decades or sooner, depending on the severity of weather in the area such as hail or hurricanes. Fiber cement and engineered wood siding still need to be re-caulked and repainted every 5 – 10 years, which has a national average cost of about $6,500. Steel siding, while more expensive upfront, withstands severe weather and abuse better for longer than most other siding materials.

This guarantees homeowners less worry and headache about the exterior of their home for decades to come.

Benefits of Selecting Klauer

When purchasing a product you expect to last for half a century, you want to make sure that you choose a company that cares about you and your values. With Klauer, you not only get high-quality, durable and customizable steel siding, but you get a company that cares about the environment as well. That’s why they use recycled steel in their products — and can be recycled again once the siding is ready to come off the house. 

They offer a limited lifetime warranty so you don’t have to worry about any defects in your siding. And they have a team of experts standing by who are dedicated to helping you make the right decision for your home.

Click here to learn more about Klauer’s steel siding offerings. Or you can click here to find contractors in your area.