Brick vs. Vinyl Siding
When considering siding for a home, the first things to think about are appearance and strength. While most siding can resist weather, two types of siding stand out as long-lasting: vinyl siding and brick siding. They are both great choices for durability and beauty.
Vinyl is a good home siding that requires little maintenance—it just needs hosing off a few times a year. There is no need to paint, as
the vinyl comes in a rainbow of colors, the darker colors preserved with anti-fade agents. It is also available in a wide variety of styles and comes with a lifetime warranty. This type of siding can also help reduce heating and cooling bills by providing an insulating layer.
Not very difficult to install for the homeowner, vinyl costs less than brick and has many other advantages. Vinyl can be removed and reinstalled elsewhere. The homeowner can add a room, or just change a look fairly easily, as this siding is screwed on, then locked with the panel below it to seal it from the weather.
That said, vinyl siding is vinyl. While strong and resistant to mild weather, it will not have the durability of brick. The lifetime warranty can vary, from the life of the product to the life of the consumer. There is no legal definition, so reading small print is highly recommended. Expect it to last about 20 to 25 years.
Brick can give a rustic look to a home and can be beautiful for decades. Brick is usually installed as a veneer, not a part of the structure, and is water-permeable. This siding needs to be installed over a waterproof membrane. The disadvantage to brick is that it is pricey, especially if installed correctly. Brick is not so easily moved from place to place, and can add significantly to the price of a remodeling job. It is also not a job for the homeowner. Brick panels are heavy and are connected with portland cement, a mortar made of lime, sand, and water.
Brick is considered permanent, but it will deteriorate, especially at joints. Repointing, replacing the damaged mortar, may need to 
be done eventually. If installed well, however, that will not need to be done for many years.
Brick siding and vinyl are at opposite ends of the cost spectrum, but both can increase the value and beauty of a home for years.
I have owned my house for a quite awhile now and I recently was able to save up to redo the siding of my home. I was wondering what kind of siding I wanted my house. I didn’t know that vinyl could be easily installed, and could be changed easily! I think this helped me with my decision! Thank you so much!
Best of luck with your siding job, Deb! Siding projects are a big undertaking, but one of the best investments you can make for your home.
I’m trying to determine if I want to buy a home with vinyl or brick. Is there anyway to determine if the vinyl is insulated or if it’s the best vinyl to use. I imagine that there are cheaper vinyl products.
Hi Sheila, congratulations on your upcoming investment! There are many things to take into consideration when purchasing a home and the exterior siding is of course no different. To see if the vinyl is insulated you could look at the back of the siding. And while both vinyl and brick are both great long-lasting options, you may want to consider a composite siding material instead. A composite siding combines the beautiful and classic look of wood with the most durable material to stand up to the toughest conditions. You can do a low e insulation as an added barrier to installation on this type of plank for an even better sealing effect. Composite siding does not rot, does not need to be painted and cannot be penetrated by rain, pests or woodpeckers. Have you heard of Wolf Composite Siding? It uses 100% ASA capstock, which means its color will not fade and its proprietary infinity seam technology provides a virtually seamless look – something you can’t get with vinyl. Good luck with your search!