Horizontal siding remains a favorite for homeowners drawn to timeless curb appeal and clean, classic lines. Clapboard siding stands out as one of the most recognizable and historic horizontal styles. Its overlapping design offers both visual interest and functional protection. But as beautiful as it is, traditional clapboard siding, especially when made of wood, can demand significant upkeep over time.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at what clapboard siding is, how it compares to other popular horizontal siding types like steel lap siding, and why more homeowners are turning to modern siding materials for better durability and easier maintenance.
What Is Clapboard Siding?
Clapboard siding is one of the most traditional and recognizable siding types on home exteriors. It features long, narrow boards installed horizontally, with each board overlapping with the one below it. The staggered design helps protect the structure from moisture and gives the home a clean, dimensional look.
While clapboard siding is sometimes referred to as “bevel siding” or “lap siding,” there are some slight differences. We’ll talk more about lap siding in the next section.
Traditionally, clapboard siding is made from wood — typically hardwoods like cedar, redwood, or pine. Cedar siding is especially popular due to its natural resistance to rot, insects, and warping. In historical homes, you’ll often find authentic wood clapboards that have stood the test of time thanks to proper maintenance.
This siding style is commonly found on colonial homes, coastal cottages, and New England architecture, but its timeless look makes it a popular siding choice across many regions in the United States.
While wood remains the most authentic building material for clapboard siding, fiber cement and vinyl siding can create a wood clapboard look that boasts enhanced durability.
Despite these updates in materials, the fundamental design of clapboard siding has stayed the same — long, overlapping boards laid horizontally to create a watertight seal and visually appealing façade.
As beautiful as classic clapboard siding is, homeowners have more options than ever to get that horizontal siding look. High-quality options like steel lap siding offer better durability, easier maintenance, and improved energy efficiency.
3 Other Types of Horizontal Siding
Clapboard siding may be synonymous with horizontal siding, but other types are growing in popularity among homeowners. Some of the most common alternatives include traditional lap, Dutch lap, and beaded seam.
Traditional Lap Siding
Traditional lap siding is often used interchangeably with clapboard, but there’s a subtle difference. With traditional lap siding straight boards are installed horizontally, but the boards are uniform in thickness rather than the tapered design of true clapboards. This gives it a flatter, more uniform profile.
Lap siding is commonly made from steel, vinyl, or engineered wood — with steel lap siding offering superior durability, weather resistance, and a more modern, maintenance-free experience.
Dutch Lap Siding
Dutch lap siding has a distinctive groove or notch at the top of each panel for a decorative twist on horizontal siding. The design creates subtle shadow lines, giving the siding more texture. It’s popular in Colonial Revival homes.
Made from steel or vinyl, Dutch lap siding is easier to install and maintain than clapboard. Steel Dutch lap siding, in particular, mimics the look of traditional wood while offering extreme resistance to rot, fire, and impact.
Beaded Seam Siding
Beaded seam siding is distinguished by a rounded “bead” along the bottom edge of each board. This style is rooted in Southern architecture and is known for its elegant, refined appearance. While it can be made from wood or vinyl, steel beaded siding provides the longest lifespan and the highest level of protection against the elements.
Pros and Cons of Clapboard Siding
Clapboard siding offers versatility and a classic, historical appearance, making it a popular choice for homeowners looking for a traditional aesthetic. However, clapboard comes with its share of pros and cons, especially depending on the material used.
One of the biggest advantages of clapboard siding is its timeless appearance. The horizontal, overlapping boards create a clean and dimensional look that complements many architectural styles, from Colonial to Cape Cod to Craftsman homes. When made from natural wood like cedar or redwood, clapboard siding also offers natural insulation and a warm feel that many homeowners appreciate.
But wood clapboard siding does come with significant drawbacks. It’s a high-maintenance material that requires regular painting, staining, or sealing every few years to protect against moisture, rot, and insects. Without proper upkeep, wood clapboard siding can crack, warp, or deteriorate. Harsh climates with heavy rain or snowfall are especially prone to water damage.
Vinyl and fiber cement versions of clapboard offer some relief from these issues. Vinyl is low-maintenance and more affordable, but it’s prone to fading and cracking in cold weather. Plus, it can look less authentic than real wood. Fiber cement siding is more durable and fire-resistant but heavier, harder to install, and can still require painting over time.
Steel lap siding addresses many of clapboard siding’s pain points. It is virtually maintenance-free and highly resistant to moisture, fire, insects, and impacts. Plus, this type of metal siding comes with woodgrain finishes that convincingly replicate the look of real wood.
For example, you can choose from cedar, pine, or walnut TruLog lap siding options that mimic wood’s appearance without the maintenance headache. The material retains color longer without fading, so there’s no need for repainting.
While clapboard siding wins in the charm and tradition department, steel lap siding offers modern-day performance and classic appeal without the extra work.
Answers to Clapboard Siding FAQs
Still unsure about whether to go with clapboard siding or another horizontal siding option? Read on to get your answers to common questions to help you make the best choice for your home.
How Does Clapboard Siding Compare to Lap Siding?
Clapboard siding and lap siding use horizontal overlapping boards to create a water-resistant barrier. Traditional clapboard uses tapered wood boards, while lap siding offers a sleeker, more uniform profile made from durable materials like steel.
TruLog’s steel lap siding captures the same timeless aesthetic of clapboard but eliminates the high maintenance. Unlike wood, steel doesn’t rot, warp, or need repainting. Replacing wood siding with steel is a smart choice for homeowners who love the classic look of clapboard but want a more durable, low-maintenance solution.
Is Steel Clapboard Siding a Good Alternative to Wood?
Yes, steel siding is a good alternative to wood. It offers the same traditional aesthetic as wood but with none of the headaches.
Wood siding is beautiful, but it’s vulnerable to moisture, insects, and fading, all of which require regular sealing or repainting. TruLog’s steel siding replicates the look of natural wood with realistic woodgrain textures, but it’s made from steel that resists rot, fire, pest infestation, and weather damage. It’s also virtually maintenance-free.
For homeowners who want charm and character without the upkeep, TruLog steel is a high-performance alternative.
How Much Does Clapboard Siding Cost?
How much clapboard siding costs depends on the material it’s made from.
Clapboard siding made from natural wood costs between $7 to $14 per square foot, but the long-term home siding cost is much higher because of ongoing maintenance like painting and repairs.
Vinyl and fiber cement siding options are more affordable, ranging from $3 to $14 per square foot.
TruLog’s steel lap siding usually falls in the $4 to $9 per square foot range. While the upfront cost may be similar to or slightly higher than vinyl, TruLog steel siding offers huge long-term savings due to its durability and maintenance-free design. You’ll save on paint, labor, and repairs, making it a cost-effective investment over time.
Steel Lap Siding: The Modern Clapboard Alternative
Despite being a beloved siding choice, clapboard’s traditional look doesn’t make up for its high-maintenance needs. Steel lap siding offers a modern alternative that’s more durable and low maintenance. TruLog’s steel siding blends the timeless appeal of horizontal siding with advanced protection. Download TruLog’s catalog to explore steel lap siding options for long-lasting curb appeal without constant upkeep.
