Exterior Siding Options
installing new siding is one of the biggest investments one can make on their home. So it’s super important to know exactly what type and color of siding you want to install! Do you want more energy efficiency? Do you want to simply boost your curb appeal because you’re prepping to sell? No matter what it is, we’re here to help. We’re going to navigate the many house siding options that are out there, so our customers can make the best possible choice.
Stucco Siding
We know what you’re thinking. Do people still get stucco siding? Yes! Absolutely. Because stucco has made quite the shift away from the olden days’ basic white, dirty old stucco. You can now get stucco installed in a wide array of colors and textures. Stucco’s benefits include the ability to resist moisture and last up to 80 years with very little maintenance. We definitely think this is a great option for anyone looking for a cool look with low maintenance for a unique take on the outdated stucco of days past.
Stone Veneer Siding
Stone veneer is manufactured stone siding that looks like the real thing but without the hefty price tag. Stone veneer is often used as an accent to other types of siding. It can be quickly installed as a half wall or one wall for some dynamic looks to an otherwise mundane home with one kind of siding. Although it doesn’t come with the same durability as the real stone, it still can work great as both a full siding installation or partial. Stone veneer can also work on home interiors if you want a woodsy rustic aesthetic in a basement wall with a fireplace. Stone veneer definitely allows homeowners to get a little creative with their homes.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is quite common and is actually manufactured using many of the same materials as stone veneer: Portland cement, sand, and cellulose. It comes in many different colors and can even be manufactured to imitate real wood. Some of the biggest benefits of fiber cement siding are that it won’t rot, it won’t fade from the sun’s UV rays, and it’s impervious to those pesky termites or other insects that can penetrate and affect real wood siding. Plus, if you need a refresh over time, it can be easily refinished or painted over. That’s about the only maintenance required to keep fiber cement siding in tip-top shape.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is incredibly popular among most homes these days. It’s affordable, looks nice, and is very easy to install or replace. It’s also weather-resistant, fade-resistant, and impervious to insects and other pests. However, in the event of water leaks or other damage to the siding, it is highly susceptible to mold and mildew growth behind it. If your vinyl siding is ever compromised, it is relatively cheap and simple to remedy the fix if the water damage has not penetrated a much larger area. Plus, the options for colors and textures for vinyl siding are seemingly endless. It’s a great option for anyone just looking to increase their curb appeal and get a new fresh look for their home.
Brick and Brick Veneer Siding
Brick, beautiful brick. Did you know that a brick house can actually cool a home better and faster than its framed and siding counterparts? It’s an amazing insulator and can drastically improve a home’s energy efficiency. Not only that, but the aesthetic of a brick or brick veneer house is timeless as can be. It will always be in style and always have that sense of longevity and strength. The one downfall of a brick house is that the mortar, as with any mortared material, may deteriorate over time. But it will almost always be at the joint, and it’s nothing a mason can’t mortar and fix in no time. On the other hand, Brick veneer is a much less costly material but gives the same aesthetic as the real thing. But similar to stone veneer, it can never truly meet the expectations of real brick but can work great as an accent to other types of siding.
Engineered Wood Siding
Before we talk about real wood siding, we would be remiss not to mention engineered wood siding. Engineered wood is made up of a little bit of real wood, wood scraps, sawdust, and other wood-like materials to build a solid and durable material that looks and feels like the real thing. Engineered wood is very easy to install; it’s also a lot more cost-effective and is an incredible alternative to real wood, which requires quite a bit of maintenance and upkeep. So for an easier option, engineered wood is great. It is susceptible to moisture seepage and water damage, but the proper installation and keeping a close eye on it can help prevent any catastrophic damage.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding is not as common as some of these other types of siding, but it is a great option if you want something affordable and different from what you’re used to seeing. Its rust resistance has made it a choice option for homeowners living in coastal regions, but it can be used just about anywhere. It’s very low maintenance and can get a new coat of paint if you ever want to give it a boost. But otherwise, it does come with a few offsets, such as being susceptible to dents and dings, and it can be a little noisy as it expands and contracts or especially during a rain or hail storm.
Wood Clapboard Siding
Wood clapboard siding, also known as lap siding, is a rare but beautiful type of siding that includes horizontal installation of long wooden boards overlapped together. Clapboard is different from shiplap in that it is installed horizontally and has one edge thicker than the other so that they can seamlessly overlap each other.
Cedar Shingle Siding
Cedar siding is a beautiful way to use wood that has a unique look with benefits to match. Cedar is super lightweight, and this makes for easy installation as well as insulation. Cedar does a great job at naturally keeping cool air inside during the warm months and cold air outside in the cold months. It is highly durable and can be customized with exterior paint, and can be treated or untreated: both work well.
Seamless Steel
Seamless steel siding is a very cool choice if you want a literally seamless look to your home’s new siding. Seamless steel siding is designed and cut to fit the exact length you need. There won’t ever be a break where two pieces meet, except for the corners of your home. Seamless steel siding is designed to have a wood grain look but with the added benefits of steel.
Steel siding won’t fade like vinyl, and you also have more colors to choose from. You can now get dark greys or greens without worrying about it losing color as the siding ages. Steel is also very energy efficient as it actually reflects radiant heat, and it can be recycled, making it a very environmentally friendly option.
Board-and-Batten
Board and batten is often used as an accent piece but can also work great as full siding if you want to take the time and effort to do so. It’s unique that it is installed vertically (the boards) with smaller pieces of wood or boards to cover each seam (the batten). You may have seen board and batten used for half walls on home interiors, but it’s definitely also used for exterior siding.
Corrugated Metals
Corrugated metals are sheets of metal that have gone through a roll former that creates those shapes or corrugated lines giving the sheets both texture and dimension. The benefits of corrugated metals for siding include its extreme durability that can withstand the elements from severe storms. It’s also resistant to fire, water, and pests such as termites. Metal siding is also very low maintenance but can last up to 50 years or more!
Composite Siding
Composite siding is an effective alternative to standard vinyl siding and is also more Eco-friendly. It’s safely treated to resist mold, fire, and insects and will biodegrade in landfills. Composite siding is also very low maintenance but does require occasional cleaning: a soft wash of gentle soap and water can bring your composite siding back to looking as good as new.