Siding For Houses: How To Choose What’s Best For Your Home
The best siding for houses is subjective. When changing your house siding or installing new siding, the goal is to improve your home’s curb appeal.
With all of the many types of siding and colors and textures available, a siding project can be daunting. Before you can make an informed decision, you need to have the right information.
Types Of Siding
There is a wide array of siding on the market today. The good news is that with most house siding, the only maintenance required later is keeping it clean. Steel siding, metal siding, and fiber cement siding offer unique challenges, for example. In recent years, new siding has emerged that is highly durable and offers longer lifespans.
One type of metal siding, for example, isn’t better than others because it depends on your needs. For those living in cold climates, the best siding will not be the same for those living in warmer climates.
Although there isn’t such a thing as the best siding, there are siding options that are best for your home. Let’s go over the different types of siding and the different types within each category. We’ll include the price, why people choose them, and how they’re cost effective.
Natural Wood Siding
If you want a real wood look there are many types of wood siding to choose from, including board and batten and log. The question is, what type of wood is best or long lasting? This is similar to picking a type of hardwood floor.
Engineered wood siding is popular because it can last 50 years or longer. Older homes do not have siding, so if your home was built before 1960, it’s time to explore other siding options.
Cedar Shakes
Cost: $6 – $12 per square foot
Most types of wood shingles, like cedar shingles, are popular wood siding. Cedar shake shingles is a cost effective and environmentally friendly option that’s also long lasting compared to other siding options. It is a sustainable, durable softwood and offers a great sound barrier and insulation. Among all siding materials, it’s also known for its energy efficiency qualities.
But one of the most unique things about cedar shakes is the smell that it brings to your home. It’s also not a high maintenance option and can withstand most weather conditions.
Redwood Shingles
Cost:$8-$20 per square foot
Redwood siding’s name doesn’t betray its look. It does have red tones and makes your house look like a cozy lodge. But it’s not just the color that makes people choose it. It is also a durable hardwood that is weather and insect-resistant, and also low maintenance.
Pine Wood Siding
Cost: $1-$5 per square foot
Pine wood siding is one of the cheapest types of wood siding. You can get it for a dollar or less per square foot. If you install it yourself, you can enjoy the low cost even more. Made with recyclable materials, pine wood siding is durable and weather resistant, plus it offers great curb appeal to other types of siding.
Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood siding is the best exterior siding for a house when you want something natural and rustic. Wood shingles can only go so far, but with engineered wood siding, you can add great curb appeal to your home.
Wood siding isn’t for everyone, but it is a unique option that most people end up falling in love with soon after they install it. Engineered wood is a nice alternative to brick veneer or natural stone.
Stone Veneer Siding
Stone veneer siding is a natural siding that can look both rustic and modern. It depends on the tones of the wood and how it is cut. You can get veneer siding in natural and or uncut shapes that will make siding installation easier. The siding is durable and many homeowners like its fade resistant qualities.
Natural Stone Veneer
Cost: $28-$50 per square foot
Natural stone veneer house siding is one of the most expensive siding options out there. This type of siding uses real rocks and stones that are usually uncut or cut to look natural. The plus side is that you can use it as your wall or even fireplace.
Although the price points might be high, many homeowners like it because it’s highly durable and adds to their home’s curb appeal.
Stone Cladding
Cost: Varies
Stone cladding is a good way to find cheaper stone siding. It is still real stone, but it’s cut so that it is thin enough to go on top of existing siding or a base like plywood. It works in panels on most occasions or like vinyl siding.
Natural Stone Block Siding
Cost: $10-$15 per square foot
Stone blocks are an alternative to uncut stones. Natural stone block is used to build walls and structures and are typically standalone whereas natural stones are usually used on top of other materials. Natural stone blocks are cheaper than natural stones.
When Is Natural Stone Ideal House?
Natural stone is one of the more expensive options so unless you want something rather high-end, then stone isn’t ideal. If you want something that will impress, however, then you can’t go wrong with stone.
Cement Siding
Cement siding is popular siding choice. Although you won’t get pure cement siding as cement is an ingredient, not a solid material, using cement in your siding can strengthen it. Learn the difference between cement and concrete.
Concrete
Cost: $10 to $60 per square foot
Concrete isn’t a siding as it can break if poured too thin and used as tile. However, concrete walls are popular. There’s not much that can affect concrete, so it’s a solid option for a home’s exterior walls. Where energy efficiency is concerned, concrete is a great choice and provides great value for your home.
Fiber Cement Siding
Cost: $1 to $20 per sq ft
Fiber cement is a very popular option for those who like the look of it. The price is largely depending on if you get shingles, boards, “stones” or something else. Labor costs more than the material, so it’s a good one to install yourself.
Faux Stone Veneer
Cost: $10 to $15 per square foot
Faux stone veneer isn’t made of cement, despite looking like stone. It’s an amazing option if you want stone but can’t afford it. While it isn’t cheap, it’s a lot cheaper than getting real stone and most people won’t know the difference.
Stucco
Cost: $2 to 49 per square foot
If you want something that looks vintage and high-end, stucco is perfect. While acrylic stucco is “nicer” than cement stucco, it’s also five times more expensive. So most people go with cement for general houses. This is good for horizontal lap siding and also a popular replacement siding.
When Is Cement The Best For A House?
Cement is ideal for a house whenever you want something extremely durable and affordable. Made with Portland cement, it’s durable and the cheapest option that will also last a lifetime.
Metal Siding
Metal siding isn’t all that common in structures that are lived in, it is a common siding for barns, metal roofs, and outdoor buildings. Only recently it’s been used in houses too due to the many pros that the siding types offer.
Copper Siding
Cost: $7 to $9 per square foot
Copper is a very distinguishable metal with a very warm hue. It rarely ever needs to be replaced as it is durable and doesn’t corrode. The only thing that does happen to copper is that it fades over time.
Steel Siding
Cost: $4 to $5 per square foot
Steel is a material made up of other metals. It’s one of the cheapest metal sidings you can have. There are cheaper options but they are reserved for outbuildings rather than residential homes which need to be safe.
Aluminum Siding
Cost: $3 to $4.50 per square foot
Aluminum siding is only slightly cheaper than steel. It is easier to install as it is flexible and can be placed on curves. It is also lightweight compared to steel which is heavy. Both options are good and come down to preference and availability.
When Is Metal The Best For A House?
Metal siding is ideal for a house whenever you want something modern. It can be rustic only when you make it look barn-like.
Brick Siding
Brick houses are very common as brick has been used for decades and is often considered one of the strongest building materials. It doesn’t offer a lot of versatility but it makes up for that in strength and character.
Solid Brick Siding
Cost:$14 to $28 per square foot
Solid brick siding is brick facing that is 4in thick. It uses real bricks that aren’t cut smaller to cover and insulate your home. They range in price but are one of the more expensive ways to add siding to a house.
Thin Brick Siding
Cost: $10 to $20 per square foot
Thin brick, or brick veneer, can be made out of real brick. It uses a lot fewer materials than solid brick and is cheaper in general. It’s a great option for saving money but isn’t quite as strong or durable as solid brick.
When Is Brick Siding Ideal?
Brick is ideal when you want something that looks modern, yet still homey. It is a common option also for those who live in stormy regions as brick is extremely durable compared to other siding types.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is popular and the cheapest siding on the market today. It can look any way that you want it to look but you’ll pay a lot less than you’d pay for the real material that it is replicating.
Clapboard Siding
Cost: Less than $2 per square foot
This is one of the cheapest ways to add siding to a house. The cost of house siding can be expensive but a classic clapboard or lap siding of any kind will save you a ton of money. If you’re not picky, this is the best option.
Log Siding
Cost: Varies
The cost of vinyl siding that looks like wood or log varies greatly. You can get lucky and pay the same as you’d pay for clapboard or not be able to find any for less than you’d pay for real wood. So this is a gamble.
Board And Batten
Cost: Less than $2 per square foot
Board and batten is sold for the same about as regular vinyl. The siding comes in panels and is easy to install. It isn’t high maintenance and offers something different than other types of siding.
Shake Siding
Cost: $3 to $7 per square foot
Shake siding is similar to vinyl shingles. It cost a little more but can be quite a bit cheaper if you install it yourself. It takes time to install shake whereas other vinyl sidings can go up in mere hours, or even minutes.
When Is Vinyl Siding Ideal?
Vinyl siding is a good option if you want something versatile yet cheap. If you want something very specific yet cain’t afford it, then you should probably get vinyl as it will get the look you want a fraction of the price.
House Siding Colors And Textures
House siding comes in a variety of colors. The most important thing is to choose the color that you want and one that offers the most curb appeal.
Deep Red
Deep red, like brick red, is an excellent choice. Be careful not to get a barn red unless you want that country look. Otherwise, you can’t go wrong with staying on the darker end of things. Darker shades like burgundy and maroon are great choices.
Beige
Beige offers a natural appearance and is popular with board and batten siding. It’s a safe choice and a great option for buyers if you’re selling your house. No one will say “no” to beige, but a different, brighter color may be off-putting.
White
White white be the most popular color for vinyl siding. You can use any shade of white without regret. Choose creamy vanilla for a soft look or a crisp white for something clean and sophisticated. You want to achieve the same aesthetic that’s common in your neighborhood, and white is usually the best choice.
Soft Yellow
If you want to add color, yellow is a good option for board and batten siding or even lap siding. The color gives a house that special cottage feel. Try to stray from the dark or bright yellow and go with softer yellow. Yellow is a common house color that isn’t dull or overwhelming.
Sage Green
Any mute green will work. Green is also a popular vinyl siding color. Metal siding can also be green, just make sure you use the right shade. A medium, more neutral green is the safest choice. Sage is one of the best choices as it never goes out of style. Darker shades are available, but before making a decision, check your HOA guidelines as some shades may not be prohibited.
Barely Blue
Almost any blue can work for an exterior of a house, but one of the best blue house siding options is barely-there blue. This blue is so light that it almost looks white. If you want the smallest touch of color, this is your best bet.
Gray
Gray is always a great choice for neutral environments. It is often the safest option for a house color. White beige and white are great, while gray offers something in-between the two. It is a cool color but also makes one think of stone, which adds value to a house.
Ocean Blue
You can use teal, aquamarine, or another ocean blue green to create an automatic beach house. Beach houses are doing very well right now so any beach house color will do well in personal homes and those on the market.
Most colors can work on house exteriors. While colors like purple are risky, you can get by with using peach quite freely. Not all pink tones work, but peach is a safe color to use if you want a pink house.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)FAQ
Which Type Of Siding Requires No Maintenance?
Vinyl siding is billed as low-maintenance siding materials that will free you from having to scrape, paint, and otherwise care for your home’s exterior. It’s been around since the 1950s, and was first introduced as an alternative to wood.
What Is The Difference Between Hard Plank And Hardie Board?
Fiber cement siding is often called “hardiplank” or even hardie board named from the most popular brand of fiber cement siding which is manufactured by James Hardie. Fiber cement planks are formed by combining wood pulp with Portland cement. If you want a natural wood look you might like hard plank. Hardie board, on the other hand, is a popular siding choice.
Which Type Of Aluminum Siding Is The Cheapest?
Vinyl siding is one of the best options when it comes to cheap siding, both with material and installation costs. Vinyl siding can be installed quickly and can even be installed directly over existing material. It’s not high maintenance and is a great choice when you’re on a limited budget.
What Is Clapboard Siding?
Clapboard siding is a siding made of wood that is installed horizontally in an overlapping pattern from the bottom of the wall moving upward. Batten siding styles are popular among homeowners.
Which Type Of Siding Is The Most Energy Efficient?
Wood siding is a good insulator, but it seems that vinyl siding is better. The thing is, you should expect wood, as a natural material, to change while temperatures change, so it is impossible having it entirely tight-sealed.
Types Of Siding Conclusion
Now that you know about the different types of siding available on the market, you can make an informed decision. You may decide you want real wood siding or a stone veneer, regardless you’ll know what to expect before you install it.
Most siding options last 50 years. Each siding comes with a warranty, but make sure you double check before you make a purchase. If you decide on a wood species, make sure it’s made with fire resistant material and can protect your home from moisture damage. Depending on where you live, different siding may be problematic and you’ll have to choose other siding styles.
Siding is available in a variety of colors, and all of them are weather resistant. The best types of siding are the ones that last a very long time and are made with durable material. In the long run, siding will protect your home better than anything else. When applied directly, you’ll find that siding will preserve your home.
Before you get started, you don’t want to buy siding more than once when you own a home. Siding is an eco friendly solution that sometimes requires regular maintenance, but in the long, is worth it. Any type of siding you choose will offer a unique look, so take your time and choose what’s best for your home.
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