Among all the siding options out there, lap siding remains a classic among homeowners because it offers a lot of curb appeal and is one of the most versatile siding styles out there. While most people think of traditional home styles with this type of cladding, the truth is that lap siding has a great aesthetic no matter your home’s look — even if it’s contemporary or modern.
Thinking about upgrading your home with lap siding? We’ll show you the ins and outs of this type of siding along with the different materials — like wood, steel, vinyl, or fiber cement — that you can use.
What Is Lap Siding?
Lap siding is a type of horizontal siding. It was originally designed using wood planks that overlap each other to create a layered effect. Lap siding became popular during the early colonial period in the United States because it offered a couple of key advantages. It was easy to build for colonists who needed cabins in a hurry, and compared to log cabins, lap siding’s design was better at shedding water and preventing drafts.
These days, lap siding remains incredibly popular. Because it has so much history behind it, it’s ideal for creating a charming, traditional exterior, but even if you’re not going for a traditional vibe, lap siding holds a lot of visual appeal in its clean, straight lines.
In terms of styles, there are several different types of lap siding:
- Traditional lap or clapboard: Clapboard siding uses flat boards that overlap. It’s the most common (and most traditional) type of lap siding.
- Dutch lap: Dutch lap is similar to clapboard siding except each plank features a bevel on the overlapping edge to give the siding profile more contour.
- Beaded lap: This type of lap siding has a horizontal bead or groove running just above the beveled edge of each plank. It’s intended to give the siding additional visual interest.
- Shiplap: While somewhat different in design, shiplap siding is a close cousin to other types of lap siding. Shiplap features grooves on both sides of each plank in a design that allows the planks to interlock without overlapping.
What Is the Difference Between Lap Siding and Clapboard?
Lap siding and clapboard siding are essentially the same thing. Confusion arises from the fact that “lap siding” is often used to refer to any type of lap siding, including clapboard, Dutch lap, beaded lap, or shiplap. However, when builders or other experts refer to plain lap siding, they’re usually referring to clapboard, which is also often called “traditional lap siding.”
How Is Lap Siding Installed?
The installation process that you’ll need to follow will differ depending on the siding material you choose. Let’s take a look at what’s involved for wood, fiber cement, vinyl, and steel siding.
The process for both wood and fiber cement lap siding installation is relatively simple, though it can be a little time-consuming. It requires you to install planks individually, leveling them as you go so that you don’t end up with crooked siding. It needs to be nailed directly to the home’s sheathing or studs.
For homes with concrete or block walls, furring strips will need to be installed first to give you something to attach the laps to. You’ll also need to take care to stagger the lengths of each plank, which makes it look like the siding has fewer seams since it avoids seams lining up and creating obvious vertical lines running up the exterior walls of your home.
Installing vinyl or steel lap siding is even easier. Since these are siding panels rather than individual boards, you’ll be installing larger sections at a time. Products like TruLog’s steel lap siding use starter strips, mouldings, and other accessories to help you ensure the installed panels are level and fit seamlessly with the home’s soffit and fascia.
While installation instructions will vary from one manufacturer to another, most vinyl and metal products feature a design in which the panels lock together to create a seamless look.
Is Lap Siding Durable?
In general, yes, lap siding is considered durable. However, it’s important to note that the durability of the siding will depend on the material it’s made from. Let’s look at some of the most common materials:
- Wood lap siding: Wood is durable against impacts and wind damage, but it isn’t resistant to moisture, extreme temperatures, or pest damage from rodents, termites, or other wood-destroying insects.
- Fiber cement lap siding: Fiber cement is about as durable against wind as wood, but it’s more durable against moisture, extreme temperatures, and pest damage. Many fiber cement products offer a Class A fire resistance rating, which is the strongest possible. However, fiber cement can crack or shatter when hit particularly hard by hail or other objects.
- Vinyl lap siding: Vinyl is impervious to moisture, but rodents can chew through it, extreme temperatures can cause warping and cracking, and it’s weaker against wind and impact damage compared to all other alternatives.
- Steel lap siding: Steel is the most durable of all. TruLog steel siding is impervious to moisture, pests, high winds, and extreme temperatures. It features a Class 4 impact rating and Class A fire resistance rating.
When it comes to maintenance, steel siding will be your best bet there too. Since it is so durable, you won’t need to worry about making regular repairs. Plus, TruLog steel siding never needs to be repainted, which is why it comes with a 30-year paint protection warranty. All you’ll have to do is rinse off accumulated dust and dirt with a hose as needed.
By contrast, vinyl siding needs repairs or replacement whenever damage causes cracks, warping, or holes. Fiber cement siding should be repainted every five to 10 years depending on how harsh your climate is, and you may need to repair moisture damage before repainting too. Wood siding requires the most maintenance. Expect to repaint it every five years, and you’ll need to inspect regularly to spot and repair moisture and pest damage.
Pros and Cons of Wood Lap Siding
Wood was the original lap siding material — and even today, it remains a popular choice among homeowners. However, like most building materials, wooden lap siding has both advantages and disadvantages. These days, there is a broad selection of modern materials that improve on the disadvantages of wood. To assess the pros and cons of wood lap siding, check out the chart below.
| Pros | Cons |
| Resistant to wind and impact damage | Not resistant against moisture or pest damage |
| Virtually limitless color options, including natural wood stains and paint shades | High maintenance — will require painting or refinishing often |
| Lower initial installation costs compared to fiber cement (but on par with the costs for steel or vinyl) | High long-term maintenance costs |
| Easy to install | Not as easy to install as vinyl or steel lap siding |
Other siding options improve on some or all of the cons that come with wood. Vinyl siding, for example, is both moisture-resistant and pest-resistant — but it’s less resistant than wood against wind and impact damage.
Fiber cement siding is resistant against wind, fire, and pest damage, but while it’s more moisture-resistant than wood, it can sustain some damage over the years. It also requires limited maintenance in the form of new paint every five to 10 years.
With TruLog’s steel lap siding, you can get around virtually all of the disadvantages of wood or other materials. It offers a realistic woodgrain look while delivering the best in pest, moisture, impact, and wind damage resistance. Since it’s a panel product, it also installs easier than individual boards.
Get the Look of Lap Siding With TruLog Steel
Lap siding’s timeless look makes it a great choice for both traditional and contemporary home styles. However, wood, vinyl, and fiber cement all come with drawbacks like reduced resistances against moisture, pests, impact, or wind, depending on the material. Some, like wood and fiber cement, have higher upkeep needs to keep them looking great.
That’s what makes steel lap siding the right choice. It gives you the look you want without the weaknesses. For more information about TruLog steel siding products, download our free catalog.
