Panel Siding Types
- House with Sidinghouse image by Byron Moore from Fotolia.com
The siding you choose for your home's exterior can make or break your house's curb appeal, but before you pick a siding type on looks alone, do your research. If you live in an area prone to bugs or termites, a siding that tends to be insect-resistant may be a better choice than others. In wet climates, some types of siding are more prone to rot and may not last as long as other options. - A traditional, natural and often rustic siding option, wood siding requires more upkeep and maintenance than many other siding choices. Although some forms of wood siding, such as cedar and redwood, often have the added benefit of being insect-resistant, wood siding options tend to be prone to water damage and may require more frequent replacement due to rot. Wood siding comes in a variety of forms, including shingles, hardwood, plywood, solid wood, engineered wood, clapboard, pine, cedar or log. For an expensive but durable and eco-friendly wood option, try cypress siding. Due to natural oils from the tree, cypress wood is naturally insect-resistant and more water-resistant than many other woods.
- Of the two types of metal siding on the market, aluminum and steel, steel siding is the most expensive. Made of steel with a vinyl exterior coating, steel siding does not rot, blister, rust, sag, ripple or vibrate, and it will last 20 years or more. Steel siding is also fire- and bug-resistant and will withstand salt spray, wind and hail. However, it has its downside. If you live in a wet, windy climate, steel siding isn't for you. High winds can erode the fastening holes, allowing moisture inside.
If you desire metal and live some place wet, try aluminum. Less expensive than steel, aluminum is still low maintenance, and it doesn't rot. On the downside, it can chalk or fade, may dent, and will conduct electricity if it comes into contact with a live wire. - The most popular option for new home construction, vinyl siding is easy to maintain, inexpensive and durable. It won't rot or dent, and it is available in more than 300 different color choices. Although vertical and horizontal vinyl panel profiles are the most common, vinyl siding also comes in traditional lap, Dutch lap, shakes, scallops, fishscales, shingles and beaded designs. Vinyl siding panels can be purchased in a wide variety of widths.
- If wood, metal or vinyl siding aren't your style, there are a variety of other siding options. Brick or stone veneers are a durable, weather-resistant option for any home and can add quite a bit of curb appeal in a mostly vinyl-sided neighborhood. Although, like wood, it requires routine maintenance (such as painting), fiber-cement siding is another durable, inexpensive, eco-friendly option. If maintained properly, it can last up to 50 years. Fiber-cement siding is available in shingles or shakes and vertical or horizontal panels.
