Siding

Siding

Common house siding types include vinyl, fiber cement, wood, metal, brick, and stone:

Vinyl: Affordable, low-maintenance, widely available in many colors and styles, but can crack in extreme cold or fade.

Fiber Cement: Very durable, resists rot, fire, and insects; mimics wood but needs periodic painting.

Wood: Natural beauty (cedar, pine), adds warmth, but requires significant upkeep (painting, sealing).

Engineered Wood: Composite material with real wood, offering wood's look with better weather resistance and less maintenance than solid wood.

Metal (Aluminum/Steel): Durable, low-maintenance, good for various climates, but can dent.

Brick & Stone Veneer: High-end, durable, fire-resistant, low maintenance, but higher upfront cost.

Siding Styles

• Lap Siding: Horizontal planks that overlap to shed water, including Clapboard and Dutch Lap styles.
• Board and Batten: A vertical style using wide boards with narrow strips (battens) covering the seams.
• Shake and Shingles: Designed to look like split wood pieces, common in "Cape Cod" style homes.

You should replace your siding when you see the below:

• Cracks, Rot, & Warping: Obvious signs of decay, especially with wood, or warping/buckling in vinyl/aluminum, indicating material failure.
• Bubbling or Blistering: Trapped moisture is getting behind the siding, compromising its protective barrier.
• Fading & Peeling Paint: Significant color loss or frequent repainting needs suggest the weatherproofing layer is gone.
• Mold, Mildew, Fungus: Indicates persistent moisture issues, often pointing to water penetration.
• Holes: Common in vinyl from impacts, letting water and pests in

Material Lifespans (General Guidelines)

• Vinyl: 20–40 years
• Wood/Engineered Wood: 20–40 years
• Aluminum: 20–40 years
• Fiber Cement (e.g., James Hardie): 50+ years