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Efficient and Inexpensive Metal Siding

By Roofing | June 28, 2009

Metal roofing and siding are popular choices because they are energy efficient, strong, lightweight and inexpensive in comparison to other roofing and siding materials such as pick, wood or stucco. There are different types of metal siding that can be used which can be very energy efficient as well as deflect light for additional cost effectiveness.

Types

One type of metal siding that is popular is IMP’s or insulated metal panels, which are formed by two pieces of sheet metal that are injected with a liquid insulating foam, usually made of polyurethane. Once the sheets are filled with foam they are hung to dry so that the foam fills the sheets, hardens and it becomes one solid panel that is fully insulated. Unlike other siding where there tend to be gaps in the insulation, thus making them less energy efficient, these IMP’s are solid, ensuring uniform protection from the elements, both hot and cold.

There are also metal composite materials or MCM, which are moldable into geometric shapes for versatility. These MCM’s are made of two metal skins are put around a plastic core to form different shapes of metal siding. They can be bent or curved and joined together in a long lasting metal siding. There are also preformed profiles that are made in different styles such as batten, corrugated, stepped, smooth or a stucco look.

Benefits

There are many benefits of using metal siding on a house or commercial building. Metal siding is light and easy to install, using different widths, lengths, gauges and finishes to fit any type of project. They can be installed vertically or horizontally in order to create different patterns and designs for different projects. In addition, because metal siding is lightweight, it is more economical to use since it does not take as strong of a frame to support the siding and the metal siding can be moved in mort cases by a forklift instead of cranes like other siding.

In addition to being economical and easy to install, metal siding is long lasting, with many manufacturers giving twenty to forty year warrantees. Metal siding is also recyclable, so if a panel is taken from one project, it can easily be used on another one. The metals within the panels are also often made of recycled metal, often up to twenty-five percent recycled material. Metal siding is also resistant to water since it does not absorb it like concrete, wood or other material, this holding its true shape better than other material for years to come.

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