Metal siding, just as the name suggests, is siding made of metal. It is a popular alternative to wood, vinyl, fiber cement, and other siding materials when durability is a top priority. That being said, many modern homes now install metal siding for aesthetic reasons also. Metal siding adds a very modern or industrial look to your home and is becoming popular among designers. The primary metals used in metal siding are aluminum and steel. Both have their pros and cons, and both should be considered. Aluminum and steel siding is durable, low- maintenance, and fire-resistant. They have been used since World War II for house cladding. Metal siding had its largest growth period in the 1980s when manufacturers figured out how to use embossing and coatings to simulate wood. This is not used much anymore as fiber cement mimics wood much better than metal siding.
Indiana businessman Frank Hoess is credited with the invention modern metal siding. He used aluminum siding and tested its resistance to the elements. Metal siding has come a long way since Frank first started experimenting with metal siding. Metal siding is now becoming very popular for both home siding and commercial siding. Businesses want the durability, low-maintenance, and longevity of metal siding, which only requires power washing to maintain. Homeowners are using metal siding to achieve a modern and industrial look for aesthetic effects.