Residential steel has totally evolved from where it originally started out as primarily a framing material. These days, if you want to incorporate steel materials into your residential property, you have all kinds of options. Perhaps one of the most common ways residential steel is used is as a form of cladding for the exterior of the home. Steel has long been preferred in many building processes for obvious reasons, and it has the same advantages when used as exterior cladding for a home as well. However, just with any other siding material, steel does have downfalls to consider. Take a look at some of the pros and cons of steel siding for the home.

Pro: Newer forms of steel siding offer a wide range of aesthetic appearances.

When steel siding first made it to the market in the early 1900s, the material was basically just embossed steel, and it didn't have a whole lot of fans. However, these days, you can get steel siding in a large variety of different styles and colors. Some pieces mimic the look of vinyl siding or brick cladding, for example.

Con: Steel siding can be more costly than other forms of home siding. 

According to Improve Net, the typical cost to have metal siding installed on a rather large home can be as high as $12,000. This is a more expensive cost when compared to some of the more conventional home siding options, such as vinyl siding or brick. However, even though steel siding can be more expensive, it is a cost most homeowners are willing to pay to reap the advantages provided. 

Pro: Steel siding works well as a barrier to protect your home from pests.

If you install vinyl siding, It is fairly easy for some types of pests like rodents to simply gnaw through the plastic material to get inside your home. If you go with some form of wood siding, you have to be concerned about pests like termites. The only type of siding that can protect your home as well as steel is brick.

Overall, steel siding is a worthy investment for many homeowners. The material is resilient to the elements, does not induce contaminants into the home environment, and is easy to match to your home's personality. Talk to a residential steel company to find out about the different steel exterior cladding options there are that could work for your home.