Vinyl siding outperforms aluminum in nearly every category that matters — maintenance, energy efficiency, durability, and long-term value.
Vinyl siding outperforms aluminum in nearly every category that matters — maintenance, energy efficiency, durability, and long-term value.
For homeowners in Strafford County comparing options, the differences are significant and worth understanding before making a decision.
What NH Homeowners Should Know Before Choosing Between Vinyl and Aluminum
- Maintenance reality: Vinyl siding only needs mild soap and water for periodic cleaning. Aluminum, by contrast, oxidizes and chalks over time and eventually needs repainting — at a cost of up to $12,000 per project.
- Dent and damage risk: Aluminum dents easily from hail, impact, and normal wear. Vinyl is flexible and impact-resistant by design, making it far better suited to the freeze-thaw climate of the Inland Seacoast.
- Fade performance: When asking does vinyl siding fade, the answer depends on product quality — but premium vinyl lines with UV-stabilized pigments maintain color far better than aluminum, which oxidizes and loses its finish over time.
- Energy efficiency: Insulated vinyl siding improves a home’s air tightness by an average of 11% and reduces heating and cooling energy use by 2 to 7% compared to a standard-built home. Aluminum offers no comparable insulation benefit.
- ROI at resale: Vinyl siding delivers an 118% ROI nationally, with an average project cost of $18,000. Composite siding vs vinyl comparisons often come down to budget and climate — but aluminum doesn’t rank competitively against either option for Southern NH homes.
- Fire behavior: Rigid PVC vinyl requires 45% oxygen to sustain combustion, which is higher than the 21% found in normal air. Aluminum conducts heat rapidly, which can be a concern in extreme conditions.
| Feature | Vinyl Siding | Aluminum Siding |
| Maintenance | Soap and water only | Repainting required over time |
| Dent resistance | Good | Dents easily |
| Insulation option | Yes — foam-back available | No insulation option |
| Fade resistance | UV-stabilized pigments | Oxidizes and chalks |
| ROI | 118% | Not ranked |
| Avg. U.S. cost | $18,000 | Varies |
| Recommended for NH | Yes | Not recommended |
Choosing the Best Siding in New England for Your Home
Top Pick: Insulated foam-back vinyl siding for homes in the Seacoast Region — it delivers low maintenance, meaningful energy savings, and strong resale value in one product. Contact Coastal Windows & Exteriors for a free estimate!
Good alternative: Fiber cement siding for homeowners who want maximum durability and a 121% ROI, with a premium look that holds up to New England weather. Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a James Hardie Preferred Contractor serving Strafford County and surrounding communities.
Skip it entirely: Aluminum siding is a product we don’t install or recommend — its long-term maintenance costs, dent vulnerability, and lack of insulation value make it a poor fit for New Hampshire homes.
Ready to replace your siding with something built to last? Coastal Windows & Exteriors is the #1 woman-owned exterior remodeling contractor in New England, with 7,000+ installations across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Request a free estimate by clicking here.
Learn more about James Hardie and vinyl siding by clicking here.
For more questions about siding FAQs click here.
Sources:
- Polymeric Exteriors Insulated Siding Guide — https://polymericexteriors.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ISHI_Guide_Update_January_20141.pdf
- Cost vs. Value Report 2024 — https://remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2024
- NerdWallet Cost to Paint a House — https://www.nerdwallet.com/home-ownership/home-improvement/learn/save-on-cost-to-paint-a-house
- Fixr Home Siding Statistics — https://www.fixr.com/articles/home-siding-statistics
- Exterior Portfolio Vinyl Low Maintenance Guide — https://RoyalBuildingProducts.com/ExteriorPortfolio
- Coastal Windows & Exteriors — https://mycoastalwindows.com
Last Updated: March 2026
