15 Different Types Of Siding For Homes
By Biraj Khanal | On 11 March 2024 09:54 AM
Siding is the outermost layer of material that covers the exterior walls of your house. It's a shield against the elements, a canvas for your style, and a key contributor to your home's overall value.
Choosing the right siding is vital for your home's aesthetics, durability, maintenance, and value. Understanding the siding options empowers you to make informed decisions for the long-term beauty and functionality of your home, whether building or renovating. So, in this article we will explore different types of sidings and look at their characteristics.
1. Wood Siding
Price Range: $7,000 - $23,000 (for a typical single-family home of 2000 square feet) according to Forbes
Wood siding is a classic and timeless option for cladding the exterior of your home. It offers a natural beauty and warmth that other materials can't replicate. This type of sidings is seen in the majority of American homes including Tudor-style homes.
It arrives in multiple arrangements like shingles and vertical boards to help homeowners achieve any desired look. Based on the arrangement and the installation cost, most wood types cost between $3.50 and $12.,50 per square foot.
2. Vinyl Siding
Price Range: $6,150 - $15,900
Vinyl siding is also popular in the United States and is a form of plastic siding, often seen on smaller homes or apartment buildings needing weatherproof protection.
It is considered a low-cost siding option and for a typical single-family home of about 2000 square feet, it costs around $6,150 to $15,900 for installation. As it is made from polyvinyl chloride, it is a fire-resistant material that won't ignite unless it reaches a temperature of about 750 degrees Fahrenheit.
3. Metal Siding
Price Range: $7,500 - $15,000
Metal siding is becoming an increasingly popular choice for homeowners. It offers a strong, durable, and low-maintenance exterior for your house, making it a worthwhile investment.
Unlike wood siding, metal siding doesn't tend to wrap, roll, or be susceptible to pests. It's easy to install, available in different varieties, and requires very less to no maintenance. It is quite strong and can withstand harsh weather conditions, including high winds, hail, and heavy snowfall.
4. Fiber Cement Siding
Price Range: $6,631 - $23,000
Fiber cement siding is a composite material from Portland cement, cellulose fibers, sand, and water. These fibers offer flexibility and help prevent cracking, whereas sand adds bulk and texture to the material.
It is invulnerable to rot, fire, insects, and extreme weather conditions. It can last for decades with minimal maintenance. Unlike wood siding, fiber cement siding does not need to be painted or stained regularly. It can usually be cleaned with just soap and water.
5. Brick Siding
Price Range: $8,900 - $25,000
This classic and timeless exterior siding material has been a standard in the building industry for years for its durability. It doesn't need to be regularly repainted compared to wood or vinyl siding, which tends to fade in the sun.
Brick can act as a thermal mass, meaning it absorbs and stores heat, which can help to improve your home's energy efficiency. It comes in various styles, colors, and textures, so you can find a look that complements your home's architecture and taste.
6. Stone Veneer Siding
Price Range: $8,250 - $16,125
It is an inexpensive alternative to natural stone but creates a beautiful and natural look for your home. It usually costs about $5.50 to $10.75 per square foot and offers the same durability as real stone.
It utilizes thinner and lighter stone pieces adhered to a backing material, making it less expensive to purchase and transport. It also boasts exceptional resistance to fire, insects, and rot, ensuring a long-lasting and low-maintenance exterior for your home.
7. Manufactured Siding
Price Range: $7,000 - $22,000
All the sidings manufactured in a factory or a production plant are collectively known as manufactured siding. It is a durable alternative to the natural ones like wood. Composite siding is made of dense fiberboard, making it a solid material resistant to water and fire.
Manufactured siding comes in various styles, including profiles, that look like traditional clapboards, rounded edges, and contemporary square shapes. Unlike natural wood siding, which must be painted every two years, the polymerized pigments within the composite siding provide weather resistance for decades with just simple washing from time to time.
8. Composite Siding
Price Range: $6,631 - $23,023
This type of siding combines two or more materials to create a product with enhanced performance characteristics compared to using individual materials alone.
It offers a balance between the beauty of natural materials like wood and the durability and low maintenance of other options like vinyl. It comes in a wide variety of styles, including planks, shakes, and shingles, and can be designed to mimic the look of natural wood like cedar or redwood.
9. Insulated Vinyl Siding
Price Range: $6,000 - $20,000
This affordable option is better than regular vinyl siding. Its unique insulation is created right into the ridge of the panel, which helps to insulate your home better and secure its temperature. It can help you save money on heating costs later.
The added insulation helps regulate indoor temperatures, potentially reducing heating and cooling costs. Also, the foam core can help muffle outside noise, creating a quieter and more comfortable living environment.
10. Split Log Siding
Price Range: $6,000 - $16,500
Also known as half-log siding, offers a rustic and natural aesthetic to your home's exterior. It is crafted from real logs that are split in half, revealing the natural wood grain on the exterior surface.
This type of siding provides a distinctive cabin-like charm, enhancing the curb appeal of your home. Generally used in cottage-style homes, this type of siding helps enhance the cozy look as well. Also, the use of real wood creates a natural and authentic look compared to some manufactured siding options. However, the use of natural wood may cause unwanted problems like rotting, pest problems, and fire hazards.
11. Board And Batten Siding
Price Range: $8,500 - $27,300
It features vertical boards spaced apart with thinner strips called battens covering the seams. This creates a visually pleasing layered effect and adds depth and dimension to the exteriors. Victorian-style homes often include boards and batten sidings to enhance the architectural appeal.
The board and batten siding offer a classic look that never goes out of style. You can choose different board and batten widths, spacing, and materials to achieve the desired visual impact and match your home's architecture.
12. Glass Siding
Price Range: $5,000 - $14,050
Also known as curtain wall systems, glass siding offers a unique and modern aesthetic for your home, blurring the lines between the interior and exterior spaces and creating a feeling of spaciousness.
These sidings allow ample natural light to flood your home, brightening the interior and creating a more open and airy feel. It creates a contemporary and visually striking exterior, making your home stand out.
13. Stucco Siding
Price Range: $9,500 - $11,500
This is a classic and versatile choice for exterior cladding offering a timeless aesthetic and durability. Stucco Siding is a type of exterior wall covering made from a mixture of Portland cement, sand, lime, and water.
Known for its exceptional resilience, it lasts for decades with proper maintenance and is resistant to rot, fire, insects, and harsh weather conditions. Also, these sidings can be applied in a variety of textures and finishes, from smooth to rough, allowing you to customize the look to complement your home's architecture. Stucco Siding is predominately found in Spanish-style homes.
14. Aluminum Siding
Price Range: $4,500 - $19,000
Aluminum is an incredibly strong and durable material, making it resistant to extreme weather conditions like high winds, hail, and heavy snowfall. It also resists rot, insects, and fire, providing excellent long-term protection for your home.
Aluminum siding reflects sunlight, which can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter. This type of sidings is generally used in Modular homes to keep their costs down and ensure lighter and more manageable dwellings.
15. Wood Shingle Siding
Price Range: $7,000 - $23,000
Wood shingle siding is a traditional exterior cladding option renowned for its rustic charm and natural aesthetic appeal. Made from wooden shingles or shakes, it lends homes a timeless, cozy look with its textured surface and warm hues.
While wood shingle siding offers moderate durability and insulation properties, it is susceptible to moisture damage, rot, and insect infestations if not properly maintained. Additionally, it requires regular upkeep, including staining or sealing, to prolong its lifespan and preserve its integrity against the elements.