Siding For Your Home’s Exterior: You’ve Got Options

You can’t underestimate the power of curb appeal, and a huge contributor to this is the exterior of your home.

There are plenty of choices for exterior walls, each offering its own appeal and coming with its own costs. These days, there are a myriad of options when it comes to siding, making it possible for you to create the perfect guise that you have in mind for your home.

The great thing about today’s innovative siding materials is that not only do they give a visually appearing look to a home, they’re also versatile, durable, and easy to install.

You’ll be surprised to find out how many options are available in the world of exterior siding.

Horizontal Lap Siding

Possibly the most popular siding choice across the country is horizontal siding, which can be made out of vinyl, aluminum, or wood. A wide range of colors can be used on this type of siding.

This choice makes a good fit for traditional-style homes since it tends to work quite well with simple and symmetrical structures and architectural styles. Many home owners choose this style because it’s very versatile, and rather affordable compared to other types. Basically, the material, color and texture all influence the price, but this type of siding tends to be among the least expensive forms.

Board and Batten

Like horizontal siding, board and batten is a good option for more traditionally-shaped homes, and is available in wood and fiber cement. The difference is that board and batten siding is installed vertically rather than horizontally, and creates a taller-looking structure as it entices the eyes to be drawn upwards.

The look is created using wide boards that are spaced apart with narrower strips – the batten – that covers the areas where the wider boards are attached. Home owners can use any width they choose for the boards and spacings to create a truly unique look.

This type of siding was traditionally used on farm buildings because of its low cost and high efficiency, but board and batten has now made its way into conventional residences. No longer is this type of siding the cheapest on the list, especially considering the cost of the materials used for it.

Shingles

Best suited for more traditional homes, shingles come in materials such as vinyl, wood, and fiber cement. Homes that already feature a crafty sort of look are best suited for this type of siding, which costs just a bit more than traditional horizontal lap siding.

Wood Strip Siding

Wood siding is no longer considered an old-fashioned version of siding. These days, wood strip siding comes in high-polished finishes that is used on some of the most expensive and modern homes. When installing this type of siding, it’s critical to ensure that there is a waterproof membrane underneath it, or else there is a risk of water seeping in and damaging the interior of the home.

How much wood strip siding ultimately costs depends on the exact type of wood, but you can expect the prices to be on the higher end of the spectrum.

Metal

Not exactly a very common material, metal is still making a name for itself in the world of exterior siding materials. Of course, this type of siding isn’t exactly well-suited for more traditional homes, but it certainly makes a statement on more modern homes with a contemporary architecture. Metal sidings come in many forms, including copper, zinc, aluminum, and corrugated steel, offering homes a durable finish with almost no maintenance necessary.

This is a great option as it can accommodate all sorts of edges and curves on a home’s exterior walls, and homeowners will enjoy the longevity of such materials.

The price tag for metal siding will very greatly, and will depend a lot on the exact material, the details, and how it is installed. Keep in mind that not every siding contractor will be experienced or skilled at installing metal siding, so the availability of such craftsmen can play a role in the ultimate cost.

Fiber Cement Panels

This type of siding involves the use of big sheets of fiber cement panels to create a flat, modern, and uniform surface for an exterior wall. This type of siding comes in a wide range of textures to give the appearance of actual wood, but it’s more durable because it is water- and termite-resistant, and non-flammable. The look that fiber cement panels creates is more geared towards modern and contemporary homes, but it can still work for rural homes if the panel joints are covered.

The price point for fiber cement panels generally falls somewhere between that of vinyl and wood. If installed properly, this type of siding can last upwards of 50 years.

Depending on the type of siding that you choose for your home, it can easily and effectively offer a great way to add a splash of color and definition to your home. With all the options available these days, be sure to weigh your choices carefully, and always get a contractor who’s reputable and experienced in installing the specific type of siding you request.