What Are the Different Types of Siding?

Are you looking into putting some new siding on your home, or building a new home and need to choose your siding option? Here’s some information from an architectural designer in Oklahoma City, OK about some of the most common types of siding and the pros and cons associated with each.

Vinyl siding

Vinyl siding is far and away the most popular siding choice among American homeowners, largely due to its combination of durability and cost effectiveness. You can find many different varieties of vinyl siding, including vertical or horizontal panels, Dutch lap, shingles, shakes, scallops and fish scales.

The big benefits of vinyl siding are its combination of relatively low cost and its outstanding durability. Most vinyl siding will have 30- to 40-year warranties when installed. There’s also a massive variety of color options you can choose from with vinyl, and it’s very easy to clean with a power washer and hose. If you’re looking for a simple, economical option, you can’t really do any better than vinyl siding. Just keep in mind that it is not waterproof, it can bend under extreme conditions and the color cannot be changed or repainted. It can also be dented by hail or tree branches.

Brick siding

Brick siding is an even more durable option than vinyl siding. It can last for more than 100 years and remain in pretty good condition. You can go with standard brick or brick veneer, an exterior layer of brick that only sits on the outside of the house.

The big benefits of brick include the fact that it’s relatively maintenance-free over the course of its long life. It is fire resistant and completely resistant to termites. It does not need to be refinished or repainted, and weathers well over time. However, it is much more expensive than other types of siding, and if you decide to paint the brick, you won’t be able to go back to the natural brick color. You may also need to keep up with repairing mortar joints.

Metal siding

Metal siding is beneficial in that it does not mold or rot, requires very little maintenance and does not fade over time with UV exposure. It’s also one of the most eco-friendly options available. Each panel is precisely cut, and can be made from recycled materials. Like brick, it is fire-resistant as well. You can find it in aluminum or steel.

However, if you do not install it properly, metal siding can be susceptible to rust. Aluminum can be dented rather easily, as it’s a soft metal. Metal also scratches easily, and if not resealed or repainted, could then develop rust as a result.

Wood siding

Wood siding is natural and timeless. There are a variety of wood species you can choose for siding, the most common being cedar, pine, fir and, in some parts of the country, redwood.

Wood is lightweight and the most eco-friendly option on the market. It can be stained or painted in whatever color you want, and has a very high R-value for insulation. However, it requires much more maintenance than other types of siding, can be easily damaged by water and insects over time and is not fire resistant.

For more information about the various types of sidings you have available to you, contact Perry House Plans. We specialize in custom homes and floor plan remodel design in Oklahoma City, OK, and would love to discuss the particulars of your project with you.

Categorised in: Home Design, Home Foundation