Siding

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is by far the leader, boasting the majority market share of new home siding installations. Vinyl siding is attractive due to its combination of durability, color options, and low cost which make it attractive to the budget-conscious homeowner.

Vinyl is a tough plastic material that entered the exterior siding market in the late 1950s, replacing the once-popular aluminum siding. Its durability and low-maintenance profile made it a fast fan-favorite for homeowners who wanted to save money on exterior siding. It’s most commonly found in modern-day colonial homes.

It varies in both color and texture, allowing a wide range of exterior aesthetic options for homeowners. Some variations even include an imitation of wood grain and stone siding. It also varies in thickness – typically the thicker the material, the higher the cost, while still being lightweight and easy to install.

There are many different profiles of Vinyl Siding: horizontal and vertical panels, dutch lap, shakes, shingles, board n batten, beaded, and fish scales or scallops. Vinyl siding sits alone at the top and continues to be one of the best siding options available.

Brick

Brick siding is an attractive choice mostly because it is considered to last a lifetime. This coupled with its rustic, elegant, and pleasing aesthetic have many homeowners returning to brick exterior siding. You can find houses and buildings over 100 years ago with the brick siding still in good condition.

Timeless and refined, a brick or stone exterior is one of the best choices for your home. Either material creates a fire-resistant covering that will increase the value of your home. Research has shown that brick effectively lowers heating and cooling costs by as much as eight percent.

Brick can withstand high winds and is not typically damaged by hail or other debris that may be blown around in windy conditions. Brick and stone exteriors are also extremely durable and can continue protecting your home well into the next century.

Brick siding comes in regular brick masonry (solid brick) as well as brick veneer which is a finished exterior that sits on the house as opposed to solid brick which holds up the house! Brick veneer is usually a thinner layer on the exterior of the home like traditional siding.

Wood

Natural Wood

Everyone likes wood, this type of siding can add a natural & beautiful exterior to your house. The changing colors and tones of wood instantly make a home feel warm and inviting. There are several species of wood to choose from such as: spruce, pine, fir, cedar, and redwood.

Apart from the kind of wood you choose you will also have the choice of 4 different profiles: bevel (clapboard), shakes or shingles, board and batten, or engineered wood. This type of siding is particularly dominant in the west, and continues to be a top choice for homeowners with its classic & timeless look.

Engineered Wood

Unlike fiber-cement or wood-imitating vinyl, engineered wood is comprised of mostly wood, with a few added materials to create a more natural-looking final product, meaning, it’s a more convincing wood alternative.

Engineered wood comes in a variety of styles and textures and is a cheaper, more durable material than fiber-cement or vinyl. Like fiber-cement, engineered wood is fireproof, water resistant and safe from insect damage. They often come with a long warranty.

Stucco

Derived from traditional Spanish architectural elements, stucco is made from cement, sand, lime, water and oftentimes epoxy. Stucco can be found in pueblo style homes, typically on the West Coast.

The exterior typically takes on a natural earth tone, sporting thick walls that were originally used to absorb heat during the day and release it throughout the night.

Stucco is a solid, durable and typically low maintenance material. Because of the materials used to make stucco, it rarely requires painting or chipping maintenance, making it an ideal option for weather-ware.

Stucco is a cement-based plaster that is applied over walls and other surfaces inside and outside of buildings. It is made from cement, sand, and lime and hardens into a highly durable material that requires little maintenance and can be used to obtain different textures and finishes.

Stone

Stone siding is the grandaddy of all siding and comes with the highest cost of siding to install. The 2 options are real stone siding and faux stone siding (stone veneer).

The look and feel of real stone are unmatched and is considered the Rolls-Royce siding. Stone is impenetrable by mother nature and will last a lifetime. Resistant to moisture, extreme temperatures, insects, and fire. Zero maintenance other than being cleaned with a pressure washer.

Stone Veneer

Stone veneer gives you a similar look to stone but about half the cost. Stone veneer siding consists of thinly cut pieces of stone that are applied to the side of a home. The stones themselves come in a variety of colors and shapes, and they can be arranged in multiple different patterns with a choice of grout colors in-between.

This creates a mosaic of natural or man-made stone on the outside of a house. Stone veneer is available in two different styles: natural stone veneer and manufactured stone veneer. Natural stone veneer is comprised of quarry stone whereas artificial or manufactured stone veneer is typically made up of concrete or other cost-effective materials that emulate the look of natural stone.

Fiber Cement

Fiber-cement siding, often compared to vinyl siding (because it’s also man-made with the purpose of mimicking another material) is a great option for homeowners who want the look of wood siding.

Fiber-cement, while having the look of wood siding, is cheaper and more durable, and it requires less maintenance than wood.

In addition to being less expensive, fiber-cement is fireproof, water resistant and safe from insect damage. It comes in various colors and designs and can be made to look like brick, stone or, more commonly, wood.

Metal

Originally used in factories and industrial buildings, metal exterior siding is becoming a more popular option for homes because of its strength and durability.

Along with being weather-resistant, it’s also resistant to fire, rot and insect damage, like termites. Additionally, while metals like copper often change their appearance after being exposed to the elements, most other metals maintain their finish over the years.

Metal is also energy efficient when it comes to keeping a house cool, as it reflects sunlight, it does not retain any warmth and tends to increase heating bills.