Are you a homeowner looking for an eco-friendly siding option that is sustainable? Siding material is the largest factor when choosing a sustainable siding option, but there are other factors to consider as well.
Sustainability Siding Factors
Material – The biggest factor people consider when desiring an eco-friendly siding option is the material’s biodegradability. Is the material coming from nature or is it man-made?
Labor – People may also consider the amount of labor outputted and consumed to extract or install a type of siding.
Energy Efficiency – For a siding to be sustainable, it must assist in the overall efficiency of the house. Meaning it must save the homeowner on heating and cooling costs.
Recyclability – Is the siding recyclable? Also did it come from recycled or salvaged material?
Manufacturing – Consider the process that is needed to create the siding material in the first place.
Locally Sourced – Can the siding (regardless of material, etc.) be sourced locally near the home that it will ultimately be installed on.
Cedar Siding Sustainability
Wood is sustainable, recyclable, renewable, and is sourced directly from nature. It is essentially the most eco-friendly siding option available today. Wood siding can come in a few options, including cypress, douglas fir, redwood, pine, and cedar. With cedar being the most popular and top wood siding choice in the marketplace.
When the environmental life cycle of cedar siding is compared to brick, fiber cement, aluminum, stucco, and vinyl siding, cedar siding outperforms all the others. It is a naturally raw material, has zero manufacturing costs, requires little transportation (depending on location), and has a long lifespan. Cedar siding’s lightweight material allows it to have a smaller transportation and labor footprint compared to other sidings. It also is naturally insect and moisture resistant and can be painted or stained to keep it’s natural look and feel.
Other environmental benefits of wood siding:
- Cedar siding is harvested through responsible forest management practices under federal and/or state laws.
- Manufacturing cedar reduces carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
- Man made composite materials leave a much larger footprint than wood.
- Every area of the United States produces different wood options for siding which makes it much easier to source locally.
Conclusion
If you are wanting environmentally friendly siding for your home, consider cedar siding. It’s sustainability has proven to be high when taking into account the main factors most environmentalist value.
If you are looking for a cedar siding contractor in the Cincinnati area, contact EMA Construction. We can review the local options available to you and provide any estimates or questions you may have.