The Best Types of Siding for Your Home

Anne Kitzman – stock.adobe.com

Your home’s siding influences curb appeal and resale value, and it can help or hinder when it comes to avoiding moisture and insect problems. The type of siding material you choose depends largely on what kind of climate you live in, as well as the style and age of your house.

Learn more about seven of the most popular siding types, from brick and wood to aluminum.

How to Choose the Right Siding for Your Home

Choosing the right siding not only improves your home’s appearance, but also its resale value. Here’s what you should consider when choosing the best siding for your property.

Breathability: In moisture-prone areas, waterproof siding is a good choice. In more moderate climates, breathable siding is preferential.
Installation: Ease of installation impacts total project cost.
R-Value: R-Value (resistance to heat flow) indicates how energy-efficient a siding material is.
Appearance: Your siding is the first impression visitors get, so how it looks matters. Siding impacts curb appeal and resale value.
Durability: Consider how durable siding is and whether it can withstand temperature shifts and the weather extremes in your area.

Popular Types of Siding

There are plenty of options for siding, but to choose the right one, you need to know the properties of each and which ones are best for where you live.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is a popular option because it doesn’t flake, rot, or buckle thanks to its strong plastic resin construction.

Pros:

It isn’t impacted by weather, moisture, heat, or humidity
Doesn’t attract termites or other pests
Inexpensive
40-year lifespan
Can mimic the look of real wood or stone veneer
Insulated vinyl has a better R-Value of 2.0–3.5, but costs more

Cons:

Not an effective insulator; R-Value of only 0.61
Will crack and split if hit hard
Not repairable. If damage occurs, a whole board needs replacing

Cost to install vinyl siding: $3 to $12 per square foot.

Wood Siding

Spiroview Inc. – stock.adobe.com

Considered to be one of the best siding materials for houses, wood siding has a traditional look and feel that’s prized by many homeowners. There are many different species of wood siding to choose from. Below are the pros and cons of wood siding, in general.

Pros:

Easy to paint
Eco-friendly, if sustainably sourced
Easy to repair
Inexpensive
40-year lifespan
Aesthetic appeal

Cons:

Requires more maintenance than synthetic sidings
Requires repainting or staining every 3–7 years
Can attract pests like termites and rodents

Cost to install wood siding: $3 to $10 per square foot.

Composite Wood

Composite wood siding combines wood fibers and resin to create wood-look siding that has the best features of both wood and resin.

Pros:

Low maintenance
Diverts waste wood fibers from landfill
Highly durable
Requires no painting
Practically indistinguishable from real wood
Withstands weather and temperature fluctuations
50-year lifespan

Cons:

Not real wood
High moisture content that can lead to mold
Can warp in humid conditions

Cost of composite wood siding: $4 to $6.50 per square foot.

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Traditional Stucco

Traditional stucco is a popular choice for its low cost and low rate of water absorption.

Pros:

Low-maintenance
Cures quickly
Easy to repair
Easy to install
Absorbs very little water
Inexpensive

Cons:

Heavy: weighs up to 10 pounds per sq. ft
May crack over time
Can buckle in extreme heat

Cost to install traditional stucco siding: $7 to $9 per square foot.

Stone Veneer

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Stone veneer gives homeowners the beauty and timeless look of real stone, without the high price tag.

Pros:

Maintenance-free
Can withstand weather extremes
Can withstand temperature fluctuations
Fire-resistant
75-year lifespan
Less expensive than stone

Cons:

Water can get trapped inside if the siding is not installed correctly
More expensive than many other materials

Cost to install stone veneer siding: $6 to $15 per square foot.

Fiber Cement

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Fiber cement siding, often dubbed Hardie board siding, is popular because of its durability and versatility.

Pros:

Durable
Can withstand temperature extremes
Can mimic stone or wood
Made of natural materials and production practices are sustainable
50-year lifespan

Cons:

High-cost installation because of job complexity
Some maintenance required
Eventually requires repainting

Cost to install fiber cement siding: $5 to $25 per square foot.

Aluminum

Aluminum siding is popular with those in extremely cold climates or in areas of persistent insect problems because it’s impervious to both.

Pros:

Can mimic the look of wood or stone
Lightweight
Easy to install
Moderately priced
Does not rot, warp or grow mold
Impervious to water damage
Impervious to insects
Does not rust
Withstands temperature extremes and bad weather
Fire resistant
Insulated heavy-gauge aluminum siding has an R-Value of 2.0-5.0
35-year lifespan

Cons:

Dents easily
Difficult to match colors if you need to install a new board
Gets a chalky, dull look over time and needs repainting
Makes loud “pinging” noises in high winds or hot temperatures

Cost to install aluminum siding: $5 to $11 per square foot.

FAQs

What is the easiest siding to install yourself?

Vinyl siding is one of the easiest sidings to install yourself. However, if you don’t install it properly, you’re setting yourself up for a lot of expenses further down the line in the form of repairs and remediation of mold, moisture problems, and possibly foundation damage. While it’s possible to do a DIY installation, it’s better to hire a local siding installer.

Does vinyl siding help insulate a house?

Yes, to a degree. Regular vinyl siding has a low R-value of 0.61, but insulated vinyl has a rating of up to 3.5. And you can further insulate your house by having a thermal house wrap added before the new siding.

Does replacing siding increase home value?

Yes, replacing siding increases your home value by up to 76.7% of the total project cost, giving you a decent ROI. If you choose one with a good R-value or have a wrap applied as part of the installation, you’ll reduce your energy costs, too.

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2 Comments

Dorotjy, November 21:

What to use to seal seams of hardy plank and what primer and paint to use.
Fabian magana, March 11:

For the seams i used the same hardie wrap I just cut it depending on the size of the hardie plank for example if a 8-1/4 i cut a 10 inch roll
Kills primer works fine

Popular Types of Siding for Your Home

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How to Choose the Right Siding for Your Home