Craig Snyder of Snyder's A to Z Home Improvement in Butler Township has more than 20 years experience in the business.

BUTLER TWP — Siding on a home is not only a decorative feature — it’s a vital element.

Like roofing, siding acts as the first layer of defense on a structure, especially from rain and sun damage.

Craig Snyder of Snyder’s A to Z Home Improvement in Butler Township has more than 20 years of experience installing siding, windows, doors and roofing, among other things.

With siding, there are many different aspects to choosing brand, color, design and, most importantly, quality.

“There’s a Pinto. There’s a Buick. There’s a Cadillac,” Snyder said, comparing the variations of siding quality to cars.

“Siding is a big product, an expensive product … It’s the whole house. And it takes probably a few weeks (to install), depending on the size and all that’s involved. So with windows, it could be up to a month, depending on all the details that need to be done.”

Cost varies widely and is dependent on square footage of the home and quality of the materials used. Once again, it all depends on the quality.

And making improvements to other home materials when upgrading or adding siding, like roofing, windows or gutters, is common, Snyder said. For older homes, insulation also should be considered along with siding installation.

“It just kind of goes with the house and the outside package,” he said.

Vinyl siding is most popular because of its flexibility and durability.

Snyder usually recommends his clients choose lighter colors of vinyl siding, like white and tan, which are most popular for a variety of reasons.

“The lighter colors don’t draw sunlight,” he said. “Darker colors pull in the sun, and then the vinyl will expand and contract. ... Plus, the siding can fade. But if it’s already white, that’s why that’s become the number one color. What can it fade to? More white? But if you have darker colors, five years later it doesn’t look the same over here where it doesn’t get any sun, it’s actually the original color. While over here, it’s faded.

“It might be that you’re the only one on the block that’s got that, but you’re going to soon find out there’s a reason why you’re the only one on the block that’s got darker colors.”

It also can be customizable by pattern, design, length and brand. Some kinds are more wind resistant than others, too.

“Siding has all these variables to it,” Snyder said.

He carries HeartTech and Quest brand siding, but will install anything a customer may want. The number of choices and customizations is seemingly endless.