Is your home’s exterior in need of a refresh? Whether you’re looking to boost your home’s curb appeal, increase energy efficiency, or simply protect your home from the elements, selecting the right siding can make all the difference. With many options on the market, you can create everything from a rustic cabin look to a sleek, modern facade.
To make your decision easier, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide covering all major home siding options available today — from steel and fiber cement siding to vinyl and wood. We’ll compare factors like durability, maintenance, and cost so you can choose the best siding for your needs.
What Are the Best Home Siding Options?
When it comes to choosing the best siding, you’ll want to keep durability, cost, maintenance, and style in mind.
Here, we’ll go through each of the different types of siding materials — highlighting what works well and what doesn’t. That way, you can pick the best home siding option to match your preferences and the needs of where your home is located.
1. Steel Siding
Cost: $4.25 to $8.50 per square foot
Metal siding made from steel is among the most durable options on the market — and it doesn’t require a ton of upkeep, making it one of the best choices for house siding.
Steel siding is fire-resistant and water-resistant, making it an excellent choice for homeowners in high-risk areas and those who need siding that can stand up to a variety of weather conditions.
Another benefit of steel siding is that it also has low maintenance requirements — just give it a quick rinse once a year. You don’t need to worry about repainting, staining, or prepping it for winter.
While steel siding can be more expensive than other alternatives upfront, it’s cost effective in the long run due to its low maintenance costs and longer lifespan.
Steel siding is also available in a variety of colors, so you can choose a more vibrant hue or the look of wood for a rustic vibe.
Not only is it suitable for a variety of design and architectural styles, but it’s also eco-friendly. Steel is the most recycled material on Earth, meaning you’re making a sustainable choice for your home. On top of that, this type of siding is energy-efficient. A foam backer behind the siding provides insulation properties that keep out the cold and heat, lowering energy bills.
2. Vinyl Siding
Cost: $4.50 to $8.20 per square foot
Vinyl siding is one of the more budget-friendly home siding options on the market. The catch is that vinyl siding doesn’t last as long as other options, like stone or steel siding, meaning your costs are likely to increase since you have to replace it more frequently.
There are also varying thicknesses of vinyl siding. Thinner options are more affordable, while thicker, more durable styles cost as much or more than steel siding options.
Made of PVC, vinyl siding comes in a range of colors that are infused into the material. While you can choose from just about any color, you’ll need to repaint it every 8-10 years due to fading.
Vinyl siding is more prone to cracking, especially in cold environments, which can lead to water damage. Plus, it can melt in high temperatures, meaning it’s not suitable for high-heat environments. The vinyl panels are also susceptible to dents, which are difficult to fix as the panels overlap and can’t easily be swapped out.
While affordable, standard vinyl siding is not the most energy efficient as it doesn’t provide good insulation. There is insulated vinyl siding available, but that would add to the cost.
3. Fiber Cement Siding
Cost: $4.70 to $8.50 per square foot
DIY homeowners may be familiar with this material. Aside from siding, fiber cement is commonly used in other building materials, such as backer boards for floor and bathroom tiles. Made of a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, it’s also called composite siding or Hardie Board. This material is compressed into long boards and can feature different textures including the look of real wood.
Fiber cement is a durable siding option that stands up well to rain, wind, and ocean air, making it ideal for coastal homes. However, fiber cement can be more susceptible to mold and mildew problems if any cracks aren’t addressed quickly. Fiber cement siding is also fire-resistant and won’t warp or melt like wood and vinyl alternatives.
Maintenance with this type of siding is generally low, but periodically, you may need to caulk cracks in the joints and repaint or stain the boards to preserve its appearance.
Since it’s made of cement, this type of siding is heavy, meaning installation costs are typically higher than other siding options. In addition, fiber cement isn’t available in as many color options as other siding materials.
4. Wood Siding
Cost: $6.90 – $13.90 per square foot
Historically, wood has been a popular choice for both roofing and siding. From wood shingles to larger board and batten styles, this siding type lends itself to many aesthetics, including rustic cabins and modern farmhouses. There are several different types of wood siding to choose from, including:
- Cedar
- Douglas fir
- Pine
- Redwood
- Cypress
While natural wood siding is prized for its look, this exterior siding option requires more maintenance than alternatives like steel siding. Wood contracts and expands when in contact with water, meaning your wood siding needs to be regularly maintained to protect it. This includes an annual cleaning and reapplying stain every two to three years.
Real wood is also susceptible to pest damage from critters like termites and birds. If the wood siding has damage, such as cracks and holes, water can enter your home, causing more significant problems. Wood also tends to darken over time, which may be off-putting for some homeowners who prefer a lighter color.
While stunning to look at, wood siding can be costly upfront and expensive in the long run due to higher maintenance costs compared to other alternatives. It’s also more likely to get damaged since it’s not naturally water- or fire-resistant.
5. Engineered Wood Siding
Cost: $3 to $8 per square foot
Designed to look like real wood but with fewer drawbacks, engineered wood siding tries to strike a balance between aesthetics and durability. This type of siding is resistant to rot and pests. You’ll also find more eco-friendly options that are made using recycled materials.
While an improvement from natural wood, engineered wood is still susceptible to water damage via cracking and holes. This type of siding will also fade in sunny environments, so maintenance will still require regular painting and upkeep.
6. Stucco
Cost: $9.30 – $16.90 per square foot
Similar to fiber cement, stucco is made of a mixture of cement, sand, lime, and water. Instead of compressed boards, this type of siding is applied like a paint. Some options offer a single application, while others require applying three coats, which can significantly increase the cost of installing this type of siding.
Loved for its aesthetic appeal, this type of siding has a textured appearance that’s fire-resistant, durable, and relatively low maintenance. The material offers natural insulating properties, helping to improve energy efficiency and create a sound barrier in noisy areas.
While this type of siding doesn’t technically have seams, it can still be prone to water damage due to cracking, which can lead to mold and mildew problems. Plus, the material is porous, so it can get stained more easily than alternatives like steel siding. Removing stucco can also be a challenge, meaning it will be harder to change to a different type of siding later on.
7. Brick
Cost: $5 to $15 per square foot
Brick is highly durable, lasting for years and generally requiring lower maintenance. However, these benefits are offset by high costs and labor-intensive installations.
Brick won’t fade or rot, and it’s fire- and pest-resistant, making it a good choice for different climates. It also offers energy benefits by absorbing heat during the day, helping to maintain ambient temperature indoors.
However, all of this comes at a steep price. While costs per square foot of the material can be affordable on the lower end, they ramp up dramatically with installation. Brick can also be damaged by water and grow moss, mold, and mildew in certain climates. Brick comes in limited color options, and the cost to replace bricks is expensive if they get cracked or damaged.
8. Stone
Cost: $30 – $48 per square foot
Natural stone is a high-end, luxury option for homeowners who want durability and aesthetic design. This expensive home siding option offers a regal look, mimicking the appearance of castles and manors. It’s incredibly durable, fire-resistant, and water-resistant — though cracks can still lead to potential water problems.
For homeowners who want the look of real stone but in a more cost-effective alternative, stone veneer siding can be a good option. This type of siding is made of concrete or polyurethane, so it’s lighter and more affordable to install.
FAQs About Siding Materials
Want to know more about home siding options? We’ve put together some answers to a few commonly asked questions.
How Does Steel Siding Compare to Other Materials?
Steel is a popular siding choice since it requires less maintenance and is more durable than most alternatives on the market. While initial siding costs might be a little higher than vinyl, the overall cost is more affordable since it doesn’t need to be replaced as often. Plus, a lot of other options, like wood siding, require regular upkeep, which costs both time and money.
What Is the Most Low-Maintenance Siding?
The most low-maintenance siding material is steel. It typically only needs a periodic rinse with a hose to keep it in good shape. This saves time and money over other siding materials that may need frequent repainting or replacement.
Which Siding Type Lasts the Longest?
If you’re looking for durable siding that lasts for years, consider options like steel siding and stone, which have lifespans of 50+ years.
Choose the Best Siding Option for Your Home
With all this in mind, you can choose the best siding for your home. Whether you want to prioritize aesthetics, budget, or durability, you can find a home siding option that suits your needs.
TruLog’s steel siding is a standout choice for homeowners looking for a balance of durability, energy efficiency, and wood-like aesthetics. It requires very little maintenance, won’t fade, and is weather-resistant, so your new siding will keep looking that way for years to come.
In addition to a long lifespan, TruLog’s steel siding is available in a variety of styles — from board and batten to lap and log siding. Plus, you can choose from tons of color options to find the perfect design for your home.
