Residential Steel Buildings

By Tyler Lacoma

Steel siding, once relegated to warehouses and farm projects, has started to merge with the residential market - and not just for shed projects. More and more, homeowners are looking into steel when considering siding for their homes.

Why steel?

The latest metal siding products offer seamless panel construction that hides rivets and manufacturing designs. The siding pieces can mimic log siding or more traditional planks, right down to texture. Coatings over the steel offer different colors and protective qualities, too. For green homeowners who want to re-side or construction companies that want to work with sustainable materials, steel panels and siding can be recycled or made from recycled material. Other benefits include

• Weather and Fire Resistance: While vinyl siding is a popular option because of its low pricing, it often fares poorly in harsher climates where alternating hot summers and cold winters cause the siding to warp, melt, crack and even shatter. Steel siding resists the outdoor elements far more easily and offers greater strength. It is also naturally fireproof, making it easy to meet fire protection requirements.
• Durable Finish, Flexible Painting: Metal siding designed for residential houses utilizes a coating - such as a baked-on PVC finish - to help protect the steel surface from outward signs of wear or damage. In addition to protection, this specialized coating also allows you to paint over the steel with common latex paint. If you need to match a particular windowsill or eave color, you can paint the panels once they are installed. If you change your mind in the coming years, simply paint over them again.
• Easy Maintenance: Dirt does not soak into steel the way it can with other sidings, and mold or mildew can find no purchase. In this way it is much like vinyl, nearly effortless to keep clean. If natural rainfall doesn't clean the panels enough for you, just rinse them down with a hose or sprayer. In most climates, an annual washing is enough to keep your siding in good condition. If panels loosen, they can be re-attached with new screws or latches.

Final considerations

Steel siding is a significant investment for homeowners. While maintenance costs are low and replacement expenses rare, metal siding is one of the most expensive siding options on the market. A basic installation for a smaller house can cost an average of $5,000 on average, which may require budgeting and savings when you are planning your renovation.

Steel may also suffer in seaside areas where corrosion and rust occur more readily. Areas with frequent storms may require that it be grounded to reduce the chance of lightning damage. However, in many locations - especially in harsh climates - steel provides long-term savings along with excellent resistances. Look into your local metal siding resources for your next building project.