Wood siding boasts a beautiful appearance that increases a home’s curb appeal. Unfortunately, real wood comes with major disadvantages in terms of durability and maintenance requirements. Faux wood siding has gained traction as a practical yet visually striking solution for homeowners who love the classic wood look but want to avoid the upkeep and vulnerabilities that come with it.
But do you have to make sacrifices when choosing faux wood siding over real wood? With the right siding materials and builders on the job, faux wood siding can still deliver the exceptional appearance of wood without the stress.
Before you decide on faux wood siding for your home, learn all about what materials it’s commonly made of and why it wins out over real wood exterior siding.
What Is Faux Wood Siding?
Faux wood siding is a popular alternative to traditional wood siding that mimics the warm, natural look of real wood without the downsides. Homeowners can enjoy the aesthetic appeal of wood grain and texture but crafted from more durable, low-maintenance materials.
Materials like steel or fiber cement are molded or embossed with woodgrain patterns. They are also stained or painted in wood-like tones. Some products even replicate the subtle imperfections found in natural timber, including knots and varied grain patterns, which helps increase their visual realism.
Advancements in manufacturing technology have made it increasingly difficult to distinguish faux wood siding from the real thing, especially from a distance. Textures, shadow lines, and color variations are carefully designed to match various types of wood siding, such as cedar, pine, or redwood. This makes faux wood siding a versatile choice that complements a range of architectural styles, from rustic cabins to modern farmhouses.
Homeowners may choose faux wood siding over real wood for many reasons, most notably its lower maintenance needs, better resistance to the elements, and cost-effectiveness. While real wood siding requires regular sealing, staining, or painting — and is susceptible to rot, pests, and warping — faux wood options are typically designed to withstand moisture, sun exposure, and extreme temperatures much more effectively.
Which Materials Are Used in Faux Wood Siding?
Faux wood siding can be made from a variety of materials, each designed to offer the natural charm of real wood with added durability and less upkeep. Steel, fiber cement, and vinyl are the most common alternatives used. We’ll take a closer look at how these materials mimic wood and why homeowners choose them over traditional wood siding.
Steel
Steel may not be the first material that comes to mind when thinking of faux wood exterior siding, but this metal siding is quickly becoming one of the most realistic and resilient options available.
Many homeowners are choosing to replace wood siding with steel. Thanks to advanced manufacturing techniques, steel siding can be coated and embossed with lifelike woodgrain patterns that closely resemble reclaimed wood or cedar siding.
What truly sets steel apart is its unmatched durability. Unlike real wood, steel won’t rot, warp, crack, or attract pests like termites. With a Class A fire rating and Class 4 impact rating, it’s fire-resistant and can stand up to extreme weather conditions, including hail and high winds. For homeowners in areas prone to harsh climates, steel offers peace of mind that wood simply can’t deliver.
Another key benefit is low maintenance. Steel siding is designed to never require repainting or restaining. Occasional rinsing with a garden hose is all that’s needed to keep it looking fresh. With a long-lasting finish and fade-resistant coating, the siding retains its beauty for decades.
Fiber Cement
Made from a mixture of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, fiber cement is a composite siding that can be molded with authentic-looking woodgrain patterns and then painted in earth tones to simulate natural wood. From a distance, it’s often difficult to tell fiber cement from actual wood panels, especially when styled in lap or board and batten siding designs.
Fiber cement siding is praised for its durability and fire resistance. Unlike wood, it won’t burn, and it resists damage from termites, rot, and moisture. It’s also dimensionally stable, meaning it won’t warp or swell with changing humidity levels, which is a common problem with natural wood siding.
One of the trade-offs with fiber cement is that it’s heavier and more difficult to install than other siding types. It requires specialized tools and a skilled contractor, which can increase the overall installation cost.
Additionally, while it’s more weather-resistant than wood, it may still require occasional repainting over the years to maintain its appearance, unlike steel, which requires even less maintenance.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the most cost-effective faux wood siding options. It’s made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is manufactured in a range of colors and woodgrain textures. Advances in design have greatly improved vinyl wood siding’s realism, with modern versions offering deeper textures and more natural-looking tones that mimic cedar or oak.
One of the biggest advantages of vinyl siding is its affordability, not just in terms of product price but also installation. Vinyl is lightweight and easy to handle, making it a popular choice for DIYers and budget-conscious homeowners. It’s also resistant to rot, insect damage, and moisture, which means it lasts longer than traditional wood without the need for sanding, staining, or sealing.
However, vinyl has several limitations. While it performs well in many climates, extreme temperatures can cause it to crack or fade over time. It also doesn’t offer the same rigidity or impact resistance as steel. It can last longer than wood, but only by about a decade or so. Vinyl does require more frequent replacement than steel or fiber cement.
Why Choose Faux Wood Over Real Wood Siding?
Many homeowners choose faux wood alternatives for their practical benefits. The decision often comes down to lifestyle needs and long-term value, especially for those living in harsh climates or who want to avoid the constant upkeep that real wood demands. With a similar aesthetic appeal, faux wood siding boasts major durability, maintenance, and cost advantages.
Durability
Durability is one of the biggest factors that push homeowners toward faux wood cladding. While real wood siding panels may look beautiful fresh out of the box, it’s a naturally porous material that’s vulnerable to rot, warping, insect damage, and weather-related wear.
Over time, exposure to moisture, UV rays, and fluctuating temperatures can degrade wood’s structural integrity and appearance, sometimes leading to costly repairs or full replacements.
Faux wood siding can withstand these exact challenges without sacrificing appearance. Materials like steel and fiber cement are especially valued for their weather resistance and structural longevity. Steel siding, in particular, offers unmatched strength and protection. It won’t swell, crack, or attract termites, and it’s fire-resistant, an essential feature for homes in wildfire-prone areas.
Fiber cement and vinyl also provide solid durability, resisting rot and insect damage while holding up well against wind and rain. While not quite as impact-resistant as steel, these materials still offer superior performance when compared to natural wood. For homeowners who want a long-lasting exterior siding solution that doesn’t buckle under pressure, faux wood is the smarter, sturdier choice.
Maintenance
For busy homeowners or those who simply prefer a low-maintenance lifestyle, faux wood siding is a stress-free alternative that keeps curb appeal high without constant maintenance.
While beautiful, real wood siding maintenance demands a high level of upkeep. It needs to be painted or stained every few years to protect against weather damage, and even then, wood is prone to fading, peeling, and cracking. You’ll also need to stay on top of caulking and inspections to prevent water infiltration and wood rot.
Does Faux Wood Siding Require Maintenance?
Faux wood siding is designed to be nearly maintenance-free. Materials like steel or vinyl never need to be painted or stained. The color is baked in or coated with fade-resistant finishes that hold up beautifully over the years. With TruLog’s steel siding, for example, you get a maintenance-free solution and 30-year paint coat warranty.
Fiber cement requires more upkeep than steel or vinyl. It may need repainting over time, but it still requires far less effort than real wood. And unlike wood, none of these materials need sanding, sealing, or mold treatments.
Cost
The initial purchase price of real wood may seem comparable to some faux alternatives, but the long-term expenses can add up quickly. With real wood, you’re not just paying for materials and installation. You’re also committing to ongoing maintenance costs like paint, stain, caulk, and labor. And if wood deteriorates or suffers damage, repairs and replacements can be pricey.
Faux wood siding involves a lower total cost of ownership. Steel is known for its affordability and long-term savings. TruLog’s steel, for example, offers an excellent return on investment because it’s built to last for decades with virtually no upkeep or refinishing required. Plus, its high durability reduces the likelihood of repair costs due to weather or pest damage.
When you weigh the upfront and ongoing costs of both options, faux wood siding consistently comes out ahead. It provides the classic look homeowners want without the financial burden of constant upkeep and repairs.
FAQs About Faux Wood Siding
Leaning toward choosing faux over real wood cladding? Here are a few answers to questions homeowners often have before taking the plunge.
How Does Steel Faux Wood Siding Compare to Vinyl?
Steel faux wood siding and vinyl both offer the look of real wood with less upkeep, but steel is the more durable and realistic option. High-quality steel siding, like TruLog’s, features authentic woodgrain textures and color depth that vinyl can’t match.
Steel also outperforms vinyl in terms of strength, resisting impact, fire, and harsh weather conditions. While vinyl is a little more budget-friendly upfront, steel siding offers superior long-term value due to its lifespan, appearance, and minimal maintenance needs.
Is Faux Wood Siding More Expensive Than Real Wood?
Faux wood siding may sometimes have a similar or slightly higher upfront cost compared to lower-grade wood, but it’s more affordable over time. Real wood requires ongoing maintenance that adds to its lifetime cost. Faux wood materials eliminate most of those expenses. In the long run, faux wood siding can save money thanks to its durability, weather resistance, and low upkeep requirements.
Get the Best Alternative to Real Wood Siding
While there are a number of options, steel siding stands out as the best faux wood alternative to real wood. With its authentic woodgrain appearance and superior performance, steel offers homeowners a smart, long-lasting solution that beautifully mimics wood without the hassle.
Download TruLog’s steel siding catalog to find the best option for your home’s exterior.
