Hail-Resistant Siding: The Best Options & What to Avoid

If you live in a hail-prone area, making thoughtful choices around materials for your home is critical for reducing the likelihood of damage and expensive replacement costs. Aside from your roof, your siding is one of the most important features that protects your home from the elements.

That’s why it’s key to choose high-quality, durable, hail-resistant siding. Wondering what the best options are? Curious if any siding can stand up to the threat of severe hail storms? We’ll help you discover the best siding options to protect your home. You’ll learn about the best siding materials and options you should avoid. 

Can Siding Be Hail-Proof?

No, siding can’t be completely hail-proof, but there are options, like steel siding, that are hail-resistant. That means they’re designed to withstand denting, cracking, and damage from hail storms. With hail-resistant siding, your home will keep looking its best, even during stronger storms. 

When looking for siding that can withstand strong impacts from things like hail, it’s a good idea to consider the cost, siding installation difficulty, maintenance, and materials. Some options may cost more upfront but will be more affordable long term due to lower maintenance requirements and less frequent siding replacement.

What Siding Is Best for Hail Resistance?

If you’re a homeowner located in a hail-prone area, you want the best materials possible to protect your home. The main issue with hail is that it can dent, crack, and puncture siding. This is not only unsightly, but it can cause other issues down the line if water gets behind the siding.

Here are some of the best hail-resistant siding options to consider.

Steel Siding

The best siding for hail resistance is a durable material like steel. With a Class 4 impact rating, the highest available, it offers peak protection from damage like hail. It’s also available in different gauges that offer varying degrees of protection, making it easy to customize performance to meet the needs of your area. Keep in mind, the lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel. 

In general, 26-gauge steel is the industry-wide recommended thickness for residential homes and performs well in hail-prone areas. However, you can also choose 24-gauge or 22-gauge for areas impacted regularly by extreme weather conditions.

Steel siding won’t easily crack or get punctured by hail like some other siding options, including vinyl. In addition, it won’t warp from the moisture that often accompanies hailstorms, and it holds up well in strong winds and won’t fly off thanks to durable installation.

Steel siding has a long lifespan, lasting 50 years or more. That means you won’t have to worry about regularly replacing your siding, so you’ll save money in the long term. It’s also mold-, pest-, and mildew-resistant. Plus, steel siding is available in a variety of colors and maintains great aesthetic appeal without the need for repainting.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Building America Solution Center, metal siding rates better across the board compared to other siding options when it comes to fire, pest, moisture, and earthquake resistance. Metal in general has a medium-high rating for hail impacts, but the report found that steel siding specifically performs better than aluminum, as it’s less likely to crack when hit by debris or hail.

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered wood siding offers a high-degree of impact resistance, making it suitable for hail-prone areas. While it gives the natural look of wood, it’s moisture-resistant and less likely to rot. 

Engineered wood is also less likely to crack when impacted by things like hail compared to real wood siding. According to the Building America Solution Center, wood-plastic composite siding has a high hail impact and wind-borne debris resistance rating. However, it has a low rating on fire resistance, so it might not be the right choice for a homeowner that’s looking for a full range of protection. 

Large hail storms or storms with hail at higher velocities can still damage engineered wood siding. Over time, engineered wood may cost more than alternatives like steel siding. That’s because it requires regular painting or staining every few years. 

Fiber Cement Siding

Another material that performs well in hail-prone areas is fiber cement. This type of siding is also called Hardie board, Hardie plank, or Hardie cement fiber siding. Made of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, it’s resistant to dents from hailstones. Like steel, it won’t warp in wet environments, and it’s also pest and water-resistant. Per the Building America Solution Center, fiber cement siding has a medium rating for hail impact resistance.

It may be prone to cracking or chipping when struck by a fast-moving object during strong hailstorms. Fiber cement siding also requires ongoing maintenance to avoid compounding issues, like water intrusion through cracks.

Unlike steel, fiber cement siding needs to be regularly painted to maintain its look. This type of siding is also heavy and requires special tools to install it, making it a less ideal choice for DIY and cost-conscious homeowners. 

What Siding Should I Avoid in Hail-Prone Areas?

Now that you know some of the best materials for home siding in hail-prone areas, it’s important to know what to avoid. Here are a few siding materials to reconsider if you want to protect your home from hail and impact damage.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding does not stand up well to hailstorms, making it an ineffective choice for homeowners. While its low price tag can be enticing, vinyl is susceptible to significant damage, including cracking, punctures, and dents caused by hail. In harsh weather events with high winds, vinyl siding can also be ripped off your home.

The issue with vinyl siding is clearly depicted when you look at the Building America Solution Center. Vinyl siding has a low hail impact resistance rating, and it’s more likely to fracture, crack, and dent with even moderated impacts. That’s significantly lower protection compared to steel, fiber cement, and engineered wood. Vinyl siding also has a higher risk of blowing off in high winds associated with hailstorms.

Once damaged, vinyl siding can lead to structural issues down the road caused by moisture and rot. In storms with a lot of moisture, vinyl siding can warp. It also gets more brittle as it ages, making it even more prone to cracks, dents, and chips.

Wood Siding

While better than vinyl, real wood siding isn’t as durable as engineered wood or steel siding. Real wood can crack, dent, or chip when exposed to hailstones. In some cases, homeowners will need to patch individual boards, or they may need to remove sections and replace them entirely. 

If your wood siding is painted, you can expect to have to repaint regularly to maintain its appearance. It is also susceptible to moisture damage, making it less than ideal in areas with hail storms or severe rainstorms.

Steel Is the Go-To Choice for Hail-Resistant Siding

For hail-resistant siding, avoid weaker materials such as vinyl and wood, and instead turn to steel siding. Known for its superior impact resistance, low maintenance, and curb appeal, it’s the right siding for homeowners who want a long-lasting product that’s durable and can withstand impacts from hail. Simply, steel offers peace of mind, especially if you live in an area with severe weather.

TruLog’s steel siding protects your home’s exterior and is an ideal solution for storm-prone areas that are impacted by hail. Available in a range of colors, you’re sure to find an option that’s as stylish as it is durable. 

Download our free catalog to browse hail-resistant siding options, including log, board and batten, and lap siding styles.