You’ve got Curb Appeal—A Guide to Choosing the Right Siding Materials for Your Home

In addition to playing a crucial role in protecting it from the elements, siding can give your home a total makeover, so it’s one of the most significant decisions you’ll make when working on your home’s exterior. With a variety of siding materials available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming. 

We can’t all have Chip, and JoAnna Gaines burst from behind the scenes to offer suggestions (and let’s face it, shiplap doesn’t work for every project), so we’ve compiled this handy guide to help you select the proper materials for your siding, based on your budget, aesthetic preferences, and maintenance requirements.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices for homeowners due to its affordability, durability, and low maintenance requirements. It comes in a wide range of colors and styles, including horizontal and vertical panels, shakes, and scallops. It’s resistant to rot, insects, and moisture, making it an excellent option for areas with high humidity or harsh weather conditions.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding offers the look of wood siding without the maintenance drawbacks. Made from a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, it is highly durable, fire-resistant, and insect-proof. It also comes in a variety of textures, including smooth, wood grain, and stucco finishes, and can be painted to match any color scheme.

Wood Siding

Wood siding provides a classic, natural look that adds warmth and character to your home—perfect for a cottage-core vibe. Options include traditional clapboard, shingles, shakes, and more modern designs like board and batten. It can be painted or stained to achieve the desired aesthetic but requires regular maintenance, including painting or staining every few years, so it is a higher maintenance option. 

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered wood siding combines the beauty of natural wood with the durability and low maintenance of engineered materials. It's made from wood fibers, resins, and wax, pressed together to create a robust and stable product. Engineered wood siding comes in a variety of styles, including lap siding, panel siding, and trim boards, and is available pre-finished or primed for painting.

Metal Siding

Metal siding, typically made from aluminum or steel, offers durability, fire resistance, and minimal maintenance requirements. It comes in a range of colors and finishes, including smooth, textured, and embossed patterns. Metal siding is lightweight, easy to install, and resistant to rot, insects, and moisture, making it suitable for modern and traditional home designs.

Stone or Brick Veneer

Stone or brick veneer siding provides a timeless, upscale look that adds value and curb appeal to your home. While more expensive than other siding options, stone or brick veneer is durable, fire-resistant, and low maintenance. It's available in a variety of styles and colors, including natural stone, brick, and manufactured stone veneer, allowing you to achieve the desired aesthetic for your home.

Considerations When Choosing Siding Materials

Budget: Determine your budget for siding materials, including installation costs, and choose options that work with your wallet.

Climate: Consider your local climate and environmental factors when choosing siding materials. Pick options that offer adequate protection against the elements, wind, rain, snow, and temperature changes. What you need in Florida may not work in Alaska. 

Maintenance: Consider the maintenance requirements of each siding material and choose options that fit your lifestyle and maintenance preferences. Some may require regular painting, staining, or sealing (like the wood siding), while others are virtually maintenance-free.

Aesthetic Preferences: Consider the style of your home, as well as your personal taste and design preferences, when choosing siding materials. Look for options that complement your home's overall look and feel to enhance its curb appeal. What works for a Victorian home may work aesthetically for a new build.

Longevity: Evaluate each material's longevity and durability and choose options that offer long-term performance and value. While some materials may require more upfront investment, they may reduce the need for future repairs or replacements, giving you more bang for your buck. 

Choosing the right siding materials for your home is a big decision that requires careful consideration. With the right information, you can select siding materials that enhance your home's beauty, durability, and value for years to come.