New Home

While it sounds very simple to pick up and move into a house that is prettier, newer and different, it brings with it a whole host of issues and expenses. New addresses bring new neighbors and uncertainties, new school districts and a change in commuting to work. Anything that is not in pristine condition will need to be changed to make it more saleable on the real estate market. With so many homes clamoring for buyers, those with the nicest features will move. Meanwhile, the homeowner is still stuck looking at a worn and weathered exterior.

It may be a matter opening up a can of worms to get a fresh new look by choosing another home. In fact, it is possible that those looking at the house will request many more improvements and changes than a simple facelift to siding, windows and trim. By putting a home on the market when it is not visually appealing, little is solved, not to mention the financial strain that may be created.

Facelift

The cheaper alternative to selling a home is to make wholesale changes to the exterior. Homes with older vinyl siding or metal siding will look completely different with new materials and a new color. Peeling and chipping paint will no longer be an issue, as vinyl does not need to be painted.

Choosing a new color for the home is perhaps the most exciting part of selecting the right vinyl siding for a house. There are many different types and finishes. Some types look like wood, not a man-made finish. It is more durable than wood, which can rot due to moisture and wood-eating pests. Real wood finishes must be painted every few years, and the paint color never quite comes out the same.

When windows, trim and siding are all done at the same time, it usually involves a discount, especially if the product qualifies for the Energy Star program. A tax break is the government's answer to an incentive for those who would like to fix up the home they have in an environmentally-friendly manner. Vinyl windows, for example, may well qualify for the program. They reduce the amount of radiant energy penetrating a home's exterior. This will save money on utility bills in the future, as well.