What Are My Options for Siding Materials?

The right siding materials can bring numerous benefits to your home. The best siding materials look great, increasing curb appeal while protecting your home's exterior against elements like wind, rain and snow. Professionally installed siding that's good for your location may even lead to cost savings on utility bills, as it can help insulate your home.

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With so many types of siding materials to choose from, it can be difficult for homeowners to make a decision for their homes.

A lot of give and take exists on any siding materials list. Getting the utmost in protection and visual appeal often comes with a higher cost, for example. But there are definitely siding materials for homes in any location and for every budget.

Hardie Board

Hardie Board is a specific type of siding made by James Hardie, a company that offers a long warranty on its product. Hardie Board is fabricated from sand, cellulose fibers and cement and is incredibly durable. It also holds up well to pests and comes in many colors and styles to create the curb look you desire. It's also resistant to fire.

On the downside, Hardie Board is relatively expensive and requires certified professional installers. While the product itself can last for decades, it may need repainting every 15 years or so to look its best.

Vinyl

Vinyl siding is a popular siding material because it's easily available and cost-effective. You never need to paint it, and you can usually find it in almost any color you want for the exterior of your home. Vinyl siding is also easy to maintain; you can often rinse it off with your hose or clean it with a little soap and a light setting on your pressure washer.

Because vinyl siding is fairly thin compared to some other options on this list, it can be cracked or damaged easier. If it isn't installed correctly, it can also lead to moisture buildup or other issues with your home's exterior.

Log

Log siding is a way to give your house a rustic cabin or log-home look. The tongue-and-groove nature of the siding installation makes this a potential DIY project for those with some experience, and the thickness of the logs leads to long-term durability.

While log siding isn't as expensive as full logs, it's typically more expensive than vinyl and a few other options on this list. The wood materials of the logs can create a potential for pests and related destruction if they aren't properly installed, treated and maintained.

Wooden Shingles and Shakes

Wood is a beautiful siding that creates a classic look many homeowners love. Like vinyl, it's easy to get and relatively inexpensive compared to some other options on this list. For homeowners who want an eco-friendly option, sustainably sourced wood siding is one of the best siding materials for that purpose.

While wood is generally fairly durable, it does increase pest risks. It's also somewhat at the mercy of the elements, as water can damage wood siding that isn't well maintained and treated. You'll also need to paint wood fairly often. Depending on where you live, you may need to paint the exterior of your house every three to seven years.

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Metal

Steel siding is one of the most durable and easy-to-maintain siding options you can choose. It holds up to severe weather and other elements and is even resistant to fire. Metal can reflect heat to help insulate your home, and you can get this siding in a variety of styles and colors for customized good looks.

Steel is fairly expensive, though, coming in at up to three times the cost of vinyl siding. It's also harder to install than log, wood or vinyl siding, and impacts from tree branches or other objects can leave unsightly dents in metal siding.

Stone

Stone siding is cut from actual stone. You can also get stone veneer siding, which may be manufactured using real stone or with cement and other materials. In both cases, the end product looks like real stone.

One of the most common reasons people choose stone or stone veneer siding is that it's gorgeous when properly installed. Real stone can be a sustainable, eco-friendly option and may be reused if it's ever removed or the home is torn down.

Real stone siding is one of the most expensive options on this list, particularly when you consider the need for an experienced mason to install it. Stone veneer siding offers similar good looks at a lower price point, but it's not reusable or as sustainable.

Brick

Brick is a tried-and-true home siding material. It also holds up well to most elements and is resistant to fire and all pests. Homeowners will enjoy the easy maintenance requirements of brick.

The biggest downside to brick is cost. It's among the most expensive siding options for a home and has to be installed by a professional.

Stucco

Stucco is a unique siding option that works best in dry, arid climates. It's durable and creates a visually pleasing home exterior.

You do have to maintain stucco constantly, ensuring you treat small cracks before they become big problems. Stucco is also absorbent, making it a poor choice for humid locations.