Your choice of siding depends mainly on the climate you live in, your budget, and your style. A professional siding expert can help you make the right choice according to the range of temperatures in your town, the moisture range through the seasons, and what you can afford.
A change of siding can raise the value of your home and make it look fresh and new. Here are the 7 best choices for your exterior siding.
Wood Siding
Whether you choose between cedar shake or classic clapboard, wood is a traditional siding material that has kept humans protected for centuries. Here are some details about each type.
Clapboard
These horizontal slabs of wood have one edge thicker than the other, and homeowners love clapboard for its versatility, eco-friendliness and weathered beauty.
Cedar shake
If you’re looking for a lovely woodsy look, cedar shingles or shake are excellent choices with the added bonus of cedar’s ability to keep cool or warm air in your home, despite its light weight. Antifungal and antibacterial, cedar shingles crack and rot much less quickly than other wooden shingles.
Wood absorbs moisture more easily than other siding choices, which can foster rot and mold. But if you want an affordable, eco-friendly siding material that will give your home a gorgeous natural patina, wood is an ideal choice.
Stucco
The darling of Southwest architecture, stucco is another natural material with exceptional temperature control properties. And this isn’t your grandmother’s stucco; instead of the dirty-white material you may remember, today’s stucco siding comes in an array of textures and colors.
With very little maintenance necessary for upkeep, stucco is making a comeback as its porousness allows moisture to evaporate very quickly and can last anywhere from 50 to 80 years. However, it isn’t a good choice for very rainy areas, and installation can add up as some stucco needs three coats.
Fiber Cement
One of the most incredible things about fiber cement siding is you can opt for it to look like any other siding option, like wood, stucco or masonry. It’s made of similar materials as a stone veneer – Portland cement, sand, water, and lime.
Fiber cement is rot-resistant and pest-proof and requires very little maintenance. If you need a touch-up, fiber cement is easily refinished or painted.
Brick and Brick Veneer Siding
Homeowners who opt for brick or brick veneer prize its ability to keep a home cooler than the framed-and-sided counterparts. Brick veneer siding looks excellent, although it doesn’t have the same solid benefits as masonry.
Brick masonry can deteriorate, usually at the mortared joints. It’s a relatively simple repair, however, and other than this rare occurrence, the brick will last several lifetimes over.
Stone or Stone Veneer
Stone veneer siding looks a lot like the real thing with many of its benefits at only a fraction of the price. In many instances, stone veneer siding is used in concert with other types of siding, as a half wall or accent wall. You can also use it for both interiors and exteriors of homes to extend a rustic aesthetic.
Stone and stone veneer sidings come in lots of gorgeous shapes and colors, and instantly call to mind ancient mountain temples and castles. Solid stone is one of the most expensive materials, but stone veneer drastically cuts the price.
Vinyl Siding
For an easy way to upgrade your home’s curb appeal and resale value, many homeowners opt for vinyl siding, which is affordable, versatile and durable. It comes in an almost endless array of colors and textures, and it’s easy to maintain and replace.
Aluminum Siding
You may think of aluminum siding as old-fashioned and passé, but many builders offer it as an alternative to vinyl siding. Both aluminum and vinyl siding come with insulation and are virtually impermeable, but aluminum won’t crack the way vinyl does.
When to Call A Siding Pro
For such an important and complicated decision as choosing the right siding for your home, you need a professional to guide your process. A siding expert can help you pick the siding.