Looking for new siding for your home’s exterior? Homeowners are often torn between the classic look of natural wood and the low maintenance of materials like vinyl.
That’s where engineered wood siding enters the picture. It’s a clever compromise that offers the warmth and charm of real wood plus the modern durability of composites.
But, is it the best choice for your home? There are also engineered wood siding alternatives to consider — like steel siding, for example.
Below, we’ll show you what engineered wood is, and we’ll examine the alternatives to help you make the best choice for your home.
What Is Engineered Wood Siding?
Engineered wood siding is an alternative to solid wood siding made from, as the name suggests, engineered wood.
As a material, engineered wood is often (but not always) less expensive than real wood, and depending on its composition, it can offer a variety of unique benefits. Engineered wood can be made with layers of wood veneers, wood strands, wood fibers, or a mix of particles held together with resins.
Common types of engineered wood include:
- Plywood made from layers of veneer glued together
- Oriented strand board (OSB) made of wood strands bonded with adhesive resin
- Particle board made with small wood particles bonded with adhesive resin
- Composite siding made with wood strands, cellulose fibers, and resins that are pressed into either unfinished or prefinished boards or panels, often with realistic woodgrain texturing
But not all types of engineered wood can be used for siding. For example, OSB is generally used for sheathing because, while it’s durable, it’s not particularly attractive, nor is it water-resistant. Particle board is mostly used as a cost-effective option for furniture and cabinetry.
That leaves plywood and composite siding as the two engineered options for exterior siding. Between these two options, you can get a variety of looks:
- Regular plywood plus batten strips create board and batten siding.
- T1-11, which is a plywood paneling product with decorative vertical grooves, gives the look of vertical barn siding.
- Composite siding from brands like LP SmartSide or TruWood provide the look of board and batten, cedar shake, lap siding, and more.
What Are Alternatives to Engineered Wood Siding?
Engineered wood siding is only one of the types of siding to choose from. Below, we’ll show you a few other siding materials to consider.
Natural Wood
Natural wood is most popular as either lap or cedar shingle siding, but homeowners also use it to create board and batten siding or other styles. What makes this material so popular is that it has a timeless aesthetic that can give a home lots of curb appeal.
However, it can cost between $6.90 and $13.90 per square foot, which makes it more expensive than a lot of other siding materials.
In terms of upkeep, natural wood is also one of the most high-maintenance options. Wood is prone to rot, moisture damage, and damage from pests like termites, woodpeckers, and rodents. It’ll need repairs more often than most other siding options. You’ll need to repaint every few years to keep it looking good too.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement’s versatility enables manufacturers to create a range of siding products that suit various architectural styles. Suppliers like James Hardie offer fiber cement boards and panels with traditional wood siding looks as well as panels that you can use to create stucco and other styles.
Fiber cement siding costs a bit less than wood — between $4.70 and $8.50 per square foot — and it’s more durable too. While it isn’t completely impervious to moisture, it will hold up better than natural wood. It also resists pest damage.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a popular choice because, historically, it was the most inexpensive and easiest to install option — that is, until modern innovations brought about other materials, like steel. Vinyl siding usually costs between $4.50 and $8.20 per square foot.
Vinyl siding won’t take on moisture damage, and most pests won’t bother with it — though determined rodents can chew through it.
The biggest drawbacks to vinyl siding is that it isn’t particularly wind- or impact-resistant. Weather conditions like high winds, hail, or extreme temperatures can make holes, crack the siding, or warp it — and the likelihood of this happening grows with time as vinyl becomes more brittle under UV exposure. While it requires little maintenance, expect to have to replace it sooner than other siding options.
Steel Siding
Steel siding is growing in popularity because of the many advantages that it offers. For starters, it costs between $4.25 and $8.50 per square foot, which is in line with other siding options. TruLog’s steel siding panels are also just as easy to install as vinyl siding.
Among other advantages, TruLog’s steel siding has a Class A fire resistance rating and a Class 4 impact rating. These are the highest ratings achievable, which makes this siding choice the best in areas prone to wildfires and hail storms. Steel siding is also impervious to moisture and pest damage, and it’s virtually maintenance free. Just rinse off dust that builds up with time — no need to worry about repainting or repairing elemental damage.
Is Steel Siding Better Than Engineered Wood?
For most applications, steel siding wins out over engineered wood. It’s more durable, has lower maintenance needs, and features better weather resistance. But how exactly does steel siding stack up as an engineered wood siding alternative? Refer to the chart below for the pros and cons of engineered wood, steel, and a variety of other siding materials.
| Pros | Cons | Cost | |
| Engineered Wood Siding | More affordable than natural wood Resistant to rot and insects Paintable Attractive, wood-look appearance | Moisture can damage it, causing it to swell or warp Requires regular maintenance (painting, moisture damage repairs) | $3 to $8 per square foot |
| Steel Siding | Extremely durable and impact-resistant Fire-resistant Pest-resistant Weather-resistant Low maintenance Recyclable As affordable as fiber cement or vinyl Easy to install | Heavy impacts can dent it or scratch the finish Fewer style options available | $4.25 to $8.50 per square foot |
| Natural Wood Siding | Traditional aesthetic Stainable and paintable | Costly Requires frequent maintenance (painting, weather, and pest damage) Not pest-resistant Not weather- or moisture-resistant Not fire-resistant | $6.90 to $13.90 per square foot |
| Fiber Cement Siding | Fairly durable Fire-resistant Pest-resistant Can mimic wood, stucco, or masonry Paintable | More difficult to install Can crack with impacts Moderate maintenance needed (painting) | $4.70 to $8.50 per square foot |
| Vinyl Siding | Affordable Easy to install Low maintenance Many colors and styles available Moisture-resistant Pest-resistant | Prone to cracking or warping Can fade over time Not impact-resistant Not fire-resistant | $4.50 to $8.20 per square foot |
Choose TruLog Steel Siding for a Great Aesthetic and Lasting Durability
Engineered wood siding is a good option, but if you’re looking for an engineered wood siding alternative, TruLog’s steel siding is even better. Our siding is a high-quality product designed to look great all throughout its long lifespan. TruLog steel siding resists pests, weather damage, and it features the highest fire and impact resistance ratings possible.
To learn more about the colors and styles available, be sure to download our free catalog.
