Comparing Exterior Siding

Why replace the exterior siding on your house?

It will provide a major change in the appearance of the house.

It will extend the life of the house and increase it's value.

It will provide added insulation, lowering utility bills.

Maintenance is diminished (by how much depends on which siding you choose).

There was once a time when the only exterior siding you could find (other than real stone and brick) was aluminum siding. It was sold by door-to-door salesmen that were unscrupulous and took advantage of unknowing little old ladies. Those days are long gone.

Today you can compare aluminum siding, vinyl siding, cedar shake siding, cement board siding, and simulated stone. You can find these products in a clapboard design, as shingles, or as shakes.

And they come with all the accessories and complimentary pieces you need to cover the trim and other odd components on the exterior of the house. Costs will vary from about $5 to over $30 per square foot.

Of course, you also have the option of using the real stuff - stone, brick, stucco, bricks, cedar, etc. The obvious trend is to minimize future maintenance. So here's what I know about these various choices of exterior siding. After that, the decision is yours.

Stone Siding

This is the most durable of all the exterior siding options. It's also the most expensive. I believe Owens Corning has a line of precast stone veneers - this will lower the cost substantially.

Stone is appropriate on any traditional-style home. You will find granite, limestone, bluestone, slate, and a variety of stones indigenous to your area which can be individually put in place.

For more on this, go to Stone Siding.

Brick

Brick comes in a variety of earth tone colors. It doesn't burn and it won't rot. Maintenance consists of repointing every 10 to 15 years. It's expensive, but it looks good on virtually any style house. This exterior siding will last 100 years or more.

Stucco

Stucco is essentially cement, mixed with water and sand or lime. It could be dyed, so you have many colors to choose from.

It's texture is determined by the installer. He can apply the stucco to make it smooth or give it various degrees of roughness. Since the 1960s, other synthetic products have entered the market (like "Dryvit").

These look like stucco, but won't hold up as well. Don't lean a ladder directly against this exterior siding option unless you have pads, or some way of spreading the weight. This will chip the surface. They do cost less initially, and are therefore often used by builders.

Wood Siding

You can find wood exterior siding as shakes, clapboard, panels or boards. Finishes range from paints, to stains, to sealers & oils, to unfinished. Wood is a beautiful siding, but requires maintenance and can rot.

The most common wood used for siding is Western Red Cedar. Cedar shake siding is probably the most common look. Redwood, Teak, Rosewood, Pine, Fir, Spruce, and Gray Cedar, are also used. My recommendation for finishing is a stain - color of your choosing.

Most people who select wood siding, do so because they like the look of it when they buy it. Then they try to preserve that look with applications of clear water repellents or linseed oil. They preserve the wood (to a degree) but not the look.

Wood gets weathered and changes color - unless it's painted or stained. Paint will eventually peel and need repainting. So, if it were my house, I'd pick a stain I really like and be done with it.

Wood boards are very versatile. You can install them horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. If your house is a long ranch, you should probably use them vertically. If it's a narrow, 3-story Victorian, the exterior siding should run horizontally.

Vertical board and batten design, using wide clear or knotty boards, gives a "country" look and is very good to accent an area like a porch or entry.

For specific information about Cedar Shakes, visit this page.

Vinyl Siding vs. Aluminum Siding

It's hard to tell the difference between aluminum siding and vinyl siding without touching them. With aluminum siding, the color can fade, and (unlike vinyl siding) it could be dented. It also expands and contracts more than vinyl.

The other side of the coin is that aluminum won't crack as vinyl siding can, and it's fireproof. In my opinion however, there's no reason to have aluminum siding unless it's already on the house. If that's the case, you can paint it. Experts recommend oil-based paint over a latex primer.

Vinyl siding comes in about 20 colors ranging from white to earthy blue. You could have it made in a custom color, but I think that's a bad idea. If you ever need more, it'll never match (different die lot).

Stick with standard colors from a well-known manufacturer that's likely to be around in 30 years. Pay attention to the panel thickness. The thicker material will hold up to cracking and denting much better.

Vinyl siding is less expensive to purchase and install than other siding materials (typically between $7 and $10 per square foot).

Drawbacks of vinyl siding include cracking, growing dingy over time, and environmental concerns. If the house burns, vinyl siding will emit toxins into the air since it's made from PVC (polyvinyl chloride) plastic.

Cement Board Siding

This man-made product can have the look of wood, stucco, or masonry. There are several manufacturers, but the one that seems to have the best selection and quality is "HardiPlank" or "HardiBoard".

You can get the look of wood, with less maintenance - but I would still stain it. Cement board siding is fireproof, termite proof, and comes with a warranty up to 50 years.

For more information, visit this page Cement Board Siding.

A Few Other Options

LOG SIDING can make a house look like a log home. It's available in quarter logs and half logs. Finishes include smooth, knotty, or hand-hewn (very authentic). The most common log choices are pine or cedar, but you can also find vinyl and steel products that resemble the wood. If you plan to paint, you won't know the difference.

GLASS BLOCK WALLS can only be used at locations that are non-load bearing. They make a good accent. I've seen them most often on contemporary homes. If you have a traditional home, keep them on the inside. They can look very strange if used inappropriately.

SEAMLESS STEEL SIDING is strong and resists shrinking or bulging with seasonal changes. It has to be custom fitted to the exact measurements of a specific wall (or walls). It can be found with a wood look, or you could opt for the industrial look of corrugated steel. Hey, it's a free country.

Here's some information about Roofing.

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What else can I tell you. There's a lot to think about. Click here if you have a question about exterior siding.

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