The exterior of your home is like a first impression. It communicates your home style the same way your clothes communicate your personal aesthetic. And, as the saying goes, first impressions are everything.
So what options do you have to create the best first impression for your home? Luckily for you, there are plenty of types of siding, so finding one for your home needs and personal aesthetic will be no problem.
Wood Siding
The most traditional siding material is wood, often featured in old and historic homes. For contemporary homes, it offers the most aesthetic versatility. For wood siding, there are a ton of species, textures, finishes available.
Because this material requires an exterior finish, you may also want to paint or stain the wood. Wood also requires more maintenance, as it can incur damage from the sun, insects, wood rot, and warping from the weather.
However, the beauty of wood siding comes at a price. Wood siding boasts a moderate to high cost, averaging between $3 and $10 per square foot. In some cases, the price can even climb as high as nearly $14 per square foot.
Vinyl Siding
A popular material for home siding, vinyl is a great low-maintenance and low-cost option for every home. Vinyl typically comes in stripes that feature interlocking edges to join the pieces together.
These panel strips can be hung vertically or horizontally. Vinyl is also available in a large range of colors, including neutrals like white, black, and gray, as well as bright colors like green, blue, red, and yellow.
Vinyl siding can also come in textures like wood and shingle, so finding a material to fit your aesthetic is no problem.
Metal Siding
Popular in modern homes, metal is one of the best house siding materials if you’re looking to make a statement with your exterior. Metal siding most often comes as steel or aluminum strips.
These siding strips can be hung horizontally or vertically and can be installed over wood if replacing your siding is the preferred method. In this case, installers will place a layer of fiber panels under the metal planks.
Metal siding is durable and has a moderate cost. On average, aluminum costs $3 to $6 per square foot, and steel costs $4 to $8 per square foot.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is a recent development for residential siding that’s durable, low-maintenance, and often made from recycled materials. The durability also makes it near-resistant to rot and insect damage.
This material is similar to wood siding in both look and feel. It has an easy installation process that is also similar to wood siding installation. The material can be primed or pre-finished and can come in planks, shingle, or panel styles.
With all of the benefits, the cost falls somewhere moderate to high in the price range, averaging about $10 per square foot.
Deciding Between The Types of Siding for Your Home
Many homeowners spend time cultivating the perfect interior of their home. They make it cozy, fill it with their favorite items and lots of beautiful things.
Most of the attention focuses on the inside of the home, and the outside often gets left behind. However, the exterior of your home is a great place to make a first impression.
With the different types of siding, you can find a material that perfectly marries your style and home needs. Looking for more home advice? Check out more home articles on the blog today!
