Your House Siding Guide

The exterior siding of your home protects it from the sun, wind, rain, and snow. It needs to be durable and strong, but it is also important for the exterior of your home to look good and contribute to your home’s overall appearance and value. There are a number of house siding options to consider when buying or building a home that fit all kinds of budgets. Here is a guide to the most popular siding options and their advantages and disadvantages:

Horizontal Lap Siding
Horizontal lap siding can be made from wood, aluminum, vinyl, or fiber cement and can be finished in essentially any color you choose; however, vinyl is usually the most popular and cost-efficient. Horizontal lap siding fits well with colonial-style, traditional-style, and symmetrical homes. Because the standard panels are 12 feet long, sometimes the ends need to be overlapped, which creates noticeable seams. The cost for this siding can vary. Vinyl will generally be your cheapest option at around $3 to $5 per square foot. Fiber cement, which has recently become popular, can cost around $7 per square foot. The color of the finish will also likely influence the cost.

Board and Batten
Board and batten is available in wood and fiber cement. Inspired by and originally used on barns and farm buildings. Board and batten is installed vertically, making your home seem taller. The cost of board and batten is similar to horizontal lap siding in the same material.

Wood Siding
Wood siding can be installed as flat, horizontal siding in a tongue-and-groove configuration, as shingles, or as horizontal lap siding. Wood has a natural charm. However, wood takes dedicated maintenance. The cost varies depending on the type of wood used and how well it is maintained. A complete refinishing job is approximately $2,000 to $5,000.

Stucco
Stucco is available in natural or synthetic form and is generally used on exteriors with large surfaces and simple lines. It is extremely durable. Stucco is used with various types of homes, but it is closely associated with the Southwestern Spanish colonial style. Natural stucco allows air and moisture to pass through it, but synthetic stucco does not. Therefore, if you use synthetic stucco, you need to have a good vapor barrier or drainage plane installed to avoid moisture build-up inside the wall. The cost of stucco is approximately $9 per square foot.

Brick
Brick is one of the most durable and low-maintenance siding options. It’s available in many sizes, textures, and colors. It can be stacked in a variety of patterns. Because of brick’s durability and low maintenance, it costs around $17 to $20 per square foot.

Stone
Stone is also durable and low maintenance. It’s adaptable to almost any aesthetic, adding texture and visual interest to the exterior of your home. The cost of stone is about $35 to $50 per square foot.

Metal
While many people don’t consider using metal as siding, if your home has a contemporary or modern aesthetic, metal, such as corrugated steel or copper, can be an excellent choice. You will want to research what is available in your area for this option because it takes a skilled craftsman to install metal siding.