• Aluminum siding is an attractive siding option for your home.stone and siding image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
  
  Aluminum siding was introduced in the 1940s and enjoyed its heyday throughout the 1960s in America. In fact, a major motion picture from the 1980s, Tin Men, centered around two aluminum siding salesmen in 1963 Baltimore. While perhaps not the most popular type of siding anymore, aluminum siding still has its advantages.
  
  

Energy Efficient

• Aluminum siding offers better insulation than its biggest competitor, vinyl siding, does. While aluminum siding is initially more expensive than vinyl, it is less expensive than stucco, brick or cedar shakes. In addition, aluminum siding saves homeowners money in the long run because of the extra insulation it provides. Heating and cooling bills should be lower because of aluminum siding.
  
  

Durable

• Aluminum siding is fireproof and waterproof. It does not rot, does not rust as steel will and is not subject to termite infestation or wood ants as wood siding is. Mold does not grow on it, and it protects the house from dust mites and bacteria. It should last the typical homeowner for 40 years.
  
  

Easy to Work With

• Because aluminum siding is lightweight, it is easy to work with, cut, nail and install. Aluminum siding is sold in kits so that people can install it themselves with a few common carpentry tools. Alternatively, a professional can install it.
  
  

Care

• Aluminum siding only needs cleaning once a year. Use 1/3 cup of laundry detergent for every six gallons of water. With a soft-bristled brush, scrub away the dirt and hose it off. You can also use a pressure washer, but only on low pressure. High pressure could damage the siding.
  
  

Options

• Aluminum siding can be painted any color the homeowner chooses and only needs repainting every 5 to 10 years. The color can always be changed with aluminum siding. With vinyl, the color cannot be changed. Colors can be as bright and bold as the homeowner chooses.
  
  

Repairing

• Aluminum siding is subject to denting. However, the dents are usually easy to repair. Smaller dents can simply be filled and painted, while larger dents can be pulled out by drilling a hole in the dent, inserting a washer and a screw and pulling the screw out with pliers. Then, fill and sand.