Siding

The siding on your home is an important part of its overall appearance. Siding can be made from a variety of materials, including wood, vinyl, aluminum, and fiber cement. Each type of siding has its advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the best option for your home.

Adviser1 can help you choose the right siding for your home and install it properly. If you’re thinking about updating the siding on your home, be sure to consult with us to get started.

Important Siding Considerations

• Appearance: The siding material should match the architectural style of the house. For example, it's wise to cover a historic home in wood, brick, or stone but not with vinyl, seamless steel, or aluminum siding.

• Water-resistance: Learn which types of siding are water-tight or prone to leaks from weather or even power washing that can cause havoc on your home.

• Energy efficiency: Some materials may be more efficient than others. For example, vinyl siding has a foam backing that adds insulation but you might not need that in milder climates.

• Maintenance and care: Some materials need higher maintenance, such as painting or caulking, while others go for years before there are any signs of wear and tear.

• Lifespan: Some siding materials last a lot longer with little maintenance than other materials.

Here are 13 of the most popular materials to consider for your home's exterior siding

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl Siding is made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic and it is inexpensive. Unlike wood or cedar, it won't rot or flake, but it could melt. Vinyl is usually less expensive to purchase and install than most other siding materials. There are, however, drawbacks. Vinyl can crack, fade, or grow dingy over time, though the average vinyl siding lifespan is about 30 to 40 years, about the same as many other siding types. Vinyl is also controversial because of environmental concerns during the manufacturing process. Beware, also, about the architecture of your home vinyl has been misused on beautifully articulated Victorian homes, hiding the architectural detail and handcrafting from a different era.

Pros: Inexpensive, cheaper to repair and maintain.

Cons: Can melt, crack, fade, and look dingy with age, will be affected by high winds and hail, prone to bending and cracking, does not usually increase a home's value, can get moldy on the outside

Stucco Siding

Stucco is cement combined with water and inert materials such as sand and lime. It is a more expensive siding. Many homes built after the 1950s use a variety of synthetic materials that resemble stucco. Some synthetic stuccos have been problematic because poor quality or improperly installing the material can lead to trapped moisture. However, a quality synthetic stucco will prove durable. Tint the stucco the color you want, and you may never need to paint.

Pros: Durable even in extreme windy conditions

Cons: Porous and can absorb moisture

Stone Veneer

If you think of ancient monuments and temples, you know that stone is the most durable of all building materials. Granite, limestone, slate, and other types of stone are beautiful and nearly impervious to the weather. Unfortunately, they are also extremely expensive.

Pros: Most durable and withstands harsh elements, can raise the value of your house.

Cons: Some veneers look artificial, stone veneer is expensive to install and replace.

Brick

Made of fired clay, brick comes in a wide variety of earthy, eye-pleasing colors. For the beauty of brick siding. Although it is expensive, brick construction is desirable because it can last centuries and probably won't need any patching or repairs for the first 25 years.

Pros: Highly durable and long-lasting, low-maintenance.

Cons: Expensive, limited colors

Cedar Shingle

Homes sided in cedar shingles (also called "shakes") blend beautifully with wooded landscapes. Made of natural cedar, the shingles are usually stained browns, grays, or other earthen colors. Shakes offer the natural look of real wood, but usually, require less maintenance than wood clapboard. By using stain rather than paint, you can minimize peeling.

Pros: Natural earthy look, can be painted to prevent peeling.

Cons: Poor-quality, cheap cedar shingles have problematic knots, limited colors.

Cement Fiber

Fiber cement siding can have the appearance of wood, stucco, or masonry. This durable, natural-looking material is often called by the brand names HardiPlank and HardiPanel. If you want the look of authentic wood with a little less maintenance, cement fiber is a good option. Fiber cement siding is fireproof, termite-proof, and may have a warranty of up to 50 years.

Pros: Natural-looking, best warranties, fire and termite proof.

Cons: Moisture absorbent, not very energy-efficient, requires painting.

Board & Batten

Board-and-batten, is a vertical siding that often is used to give a house the perception of height. The house, like the one shown here, has vertical siding.

Pros: Classic look that offers a sense of visual height, long lifespan.

Cons: More expensive option, repairs can be tricky.

Aluminum

You may think of aluminum siding as an old-fashioned option, but some builders offer it as an alternative to vinyl. It's an affordable material. However, there is a higher-end type, called longboard aluminum siding, which mimics the look of wood.

Pros: Minimal maintenance, durable, can last up to 40 years.

Cons: Prone to dents, will fade over time.

Corrugated Metal

We've gotten used to seeing corrugated metal roofs, but why not siding. It has a lower-class reputation in the United States—traditionally, corrugated steel has been used for prefabricated military facilities and factories, so it's considered an "industrial" construction material. In Iceland, however, it's a very popular siding that can face up to the harsh winters of a northern climate or dry southern regions.

Pros: Withstands effects of harsh weather, resists insects, rot, and mold, coated to resist rust.

Cons: Considered industrial, prone to dents, painting metal can be difficult.

Seamless Steel

Seamless steel siding is very strong and resists shrinking and bulging when the temperatures change. The siding is custom fit to the exact measurements of your house. You can purchase steel siding with a wood-look texture.

Pros: Durable, shrink and bulge-resistant in extreme temperatures, low maintenance, pest resistant.

Cons: Higher cost, prone to denting, susceptible to scratches

Wood Clapboard

Modern science has given us many synthetic wood-like products, and yet solid wood (usually cedar, pine, spruce, redwood, cypress, or Douglas fir) remains the favorite choice for finer homes. With periodic care, wood siding will outlast vinyl and other pretenders. As with cedar shingle siding, wood clapboards can be stained rather than painted. Many wood frame houses built centuries ago still look beautiful today.

Pros: Traditional, upscale aesthetic, longevity with care, can be stained or painted.

Cons: Requires high maintenance, color can fade, prone to insect and moisture damage.

Log Siding

If you have a rustic-style home, full-log siding can be a great option.

Pros: Authentic, rustic aesthetic, wood is typically left natural and sealed, no need for paint.

Cons: Multiple treatments needed for wood, expensive

Engineered Wood

Adviser1 recommends LP SmartSide. Made from engineered wood for a natural appearance, this siding is ideal for resisting damage from airborne impact or severe weather. This siding is a popular choice for homeowners all over. This material is one of the most durable products on the market today. This siding can increase the value of a home. It gives a home a fresh, modern look that can make it more attractive to potential buyers (which can result in a higher sale price if you decide to sell your home in the future).

Pros: 30 year warranty, no fading, winds up to 200 mph, resists hail up to 1.75, moisture resistant, harsh winter protection, pest and fungus.

Cons: Minimal maintenance.

Replacement siding is a significant investment in your home. When the right siding material is installed properly, it protects your home exterior and adds value and beauty. But getting your desired return on investment means choosing a siding contractor that will do the job properly, caring for your home as if it were their own.

Experience how easy it is to get a FREE contractor referral for your project.

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