Vinyl vs. Hard Siding (Fiber Cement / Engineered Wood)
November 19, 2025
Vinyl vs. Hard Siding: What's Best for your Missouri Home?
When it’s time to update your home’s exterior, one of the biggest decisions is which type of siding to choose. In the St. Louis area, most homeowners end up comparing vinyl siding to “hard” siding options like fiber cement (e.g., James Hardie) or engineered wood (e.g., LP SmartSide).
As a local, veteran-owned contractor based in Eureka, Perfect Pitch Roofing & Exteriors, Inc. installs all of these options across St. Louis, Jefferson, St. Charles, and Franklin Counties.
Here’s a clear breakdown to help you decide what’s right for your home.
What Is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) and is one of the most common siding materials in the U.S.
- Pros of Vinyl Siding:
- Budget-friendly – Typically the most affordable siding option upfront.
- Low maintenance – No painting required; just occasional cleaning with a hose or soft wash.
- Wide color and style options – Many profiles and colors to match your home.
- Moisture-resistant – Won’t rot or rust.
- Considerations:
- Can be more prone to cracking or warping from impact or extreme temperature swings.
- May fade over time, especially darker colors in full sun.
- Doesn’t feel as “solid” or high-end as some hard siding options.
What Is “Hard” Siding?
When homeowners say “hard siding,” they usually mean fiber cement or engineered wood.
- Fiber Cement Siding (e.g., James Hardie):
- Made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers.
- Designed to mimic wood grain with better durability.
- Engineered Wood Siding (e.g., LP SmartSide):
- Wood strands or fibers combined with resins and treated to resist moisture, insects, and decay.
- Also designed to look like traditional wood siding.
Pros of Hard Siding (Fiber Cement / Engineered Wood)
- More solid, upscale appearance – Heavier, more substantial look and feel.
- Excellent durability – Designed to handle tough weather, including wind, hail, and temperature swings.
- Better impact resistance than standard vinyl.
- Paintable – You can refresh the color over time without replacing the siding.
- Strong warranties from major brands when installed correctly.
Considerations for Hard Siding
- Higher upfront cost than vinyl.
- Typically requires professional installation (more labor-intensive).
- Painted finishes will eventually need repainting (though modern finishes last much longer than older products).
Which Siding Is Right for Your Home?
- Vinyl siding may be a good fit if:
- You’re working with a tighter budget.
- You want a low-maintenance option with no painting.
- You’re updating a rental or investment property.
- Hard siding (fiber cement or engineered wood) may be the better choice if:
- You plan to stay in your home long-term.
- You want a more solid, high-end look.
- You want stronger impact resistance and long-term durability.
At Perfect Pitch Roofing & Exteriors, we install CertainTeed, Norandex, ProVia, James Hardie, LP SmartSide, and more. We’ll walk you through samples, explain pros and cons in plain language, and help you choose the best fit for your home and budget.
Thinking about new siding in Eureka or the greater St. Louis area? Call Perfect Pitch Roofing & Exteriors at (314) 596-1391 or contact us
online to schedule a free siding consultation and estimate.
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Your roof is one of the most important parts of your home, protecting you and your belongings from the elements. To ensure its longevity and performance, regular maintenance and care are essential. In this blog post, we'll discuss some valuable tips for maintaining your roof and keeping it in top condition.
Gutters are often overlooked because homeowners don't think they are as important as other elements like the roof. However, gutter installation also plays an essential role in protecting your house. These are the main benefits you'll enjoy with a new gutter system. 1. Prevent Water Damage Gutters act like funnels to transport water to the edge of your home. This helps prevent water from pooling around your house, where it can damage the foundation or your porch. Channeling water away from your home can help prevent significant structural damage. Many homeowners also opt for gutter extenders to ensure the water doesn't pool at the corners of the house. 2. Stop Basement Flooding When water pools around your home, it can seep into your basement via tiny cracks in the foundation. Water may go under your porch and leak into your basement. It can also get underground, pressing on the basement floor from underneath. This will result in cracks and more flooding. The easiest way to help reduce flooding is to move the water away from the house with a gutter installation. 3. Preserve Landscaping Homes that don't have gutters often wind up with a small waterfall coming off their roof. This can make the grass look like a swamp. The excess water will drown plants and flood your flowerbeds. Vegetable gardens won't stand a chance at surviving. Gutter systems will ensure that your landscaping stays beautiful. 4. Save a Lot of Money One of the most significant benefits of new gutters is the money you'll save. According to This Old House, a renowned home improvement brand, standard gutters cost about $1,000-$7,000, which equals around $10 per linear foot. The initial investment may sound high, but it's much cheaper than basement waterproofing services that might not be effective and waste money on landscaping getting ruined. 5. Keep You and Your Family Safe Functional gutters can reduce safety risks that cause physical damage to homeowners. For example, ice dams can occur as a result of heavy snow buildup that melts and then refreezes. These heavy chunks of ice that form at the rim of your gutters are prone to falling and striking someone on your property. Older gutters that are unable to drain rain and snow can cause a quicker buildup of these elements. With the help of our experts, new gutter installation is an efficient, streamlined process. Our professionals will work hard to ensure you can enjoy these fantastic benefits as soon as possible. Contact Perfect Pitch Gutters & Exteriors, Inc for an estimate today.
Gutters are a critical component of homes. According to IBISWorld, revenue in the gutter services industry is expected to grow by 5.4% by 2022. During rainfall and when the snow melts, gutters help direct water safely away from your house. Without gutters, there may be too much water on or near your home. Here are a few signs that you need gutter repair. 1. Hanging Gutters If your gutter is slowly starting to fall off the house, this is a sign that you need to contact your local repairman. Over time, the fasteners that hold gutters in place will corrode, making them ineffective. This is often a cheap, quick fix that keeps your gutter system working properly. 2. Peeling Paint Gutters are often painted because the paint ensures the metal is not exposed to the elements, preventing rust and corrosion. When paint starts to peel, it needs to be fixed as soon as possible. If it's not, the metal will be exposed to harsh weather and corrode to the point that they're completely useless. 3. Cracks Large, obvious cracks in your gutter system are a key indicator you need to hire a professional for gutter repair. Water will leak out of these cracks. Then, the cracks will widen over time until the gutter has a large split. Finally, the gutter system will fail. Contacting a professional as soon as possible will ensure that this fix is as cheap as possible and that there is no damage due to the gutter system not working properly. 4. Pools of Water Homeowners that notice pools of water around the house more than likely have a gutter problem. When gutters develop cracks, they are so small that it's difficult to see them from the ground. However, water still leaks through the cracks, so you have small pools of water after it rains. 5. Leaking Basement Gutters are designed to dispose of water away from the house. However, the water winds up directly beside your foundation when your gutter system isn't working properly. Then, it gets through tiny cracks and crevices, giving you a damp, leaky basement. If you only notice water in the basement after it rains, contact a professional to inspect your gutters. These are just a few signs that you need to have your gutter repaired. Ready to get a free estimate? Call Perfect Pitch Gutters & Exteriors, Inc to learn more about our services or have new gutters installed.
