How To Choose The Best Siding For Your Home

In terms of curb appeal, the right siding can take your home’s exterior from ho-hum to the most handsome house on the block. And whether you’re starting from scratch with new construction or you’re updating an older home, there are a surprising number of factors to consider when approaching the siding selection process. 

But before you dive into the design process, it’s important to have a firm understanding of your budget and the cost of various siding materials, which can range from $5 per square foot for vinyl and certain types of wood to as much as $50 per square foot for premium natural stone materials like limestone. Knowing your budget will help you narrow down your options, but there are still plenty of other factors to consider, including personal and architectural style as well as neighborhood context.

Siding is your home’s bulwark against the elements, so you’ll also want to consider its unique environment and climate—everything from average seasonal temperatures to inches of rainfall to wind to humidity—as different siding types perform better under various conditions.

Regardless of the type you choose, siding is a hefty investment, so to help you discover the best siding for your home, we’ve put together this comprehensive siding guide, detailing the pros, cons, and best applications of some of the most popular siding types. 

Vinyl

Introduced in the 1950s, this versatile plastic siding was designed to replace aluminum siding while mimicking the look of natural wood. Folks tend to have very definite opinions about vinyl—you either love it or hate it, but you can’t argue with the price. 

Pros

• Cost-effective; vinyl is cheaper and easier to install than other siding options. However, professional help is still recommended to ensure moisture and mold don’t become a problem.
• Energy-efficient; vinyl does an admirable job insulating your home at a lower price point. 
• Low maintenance and easy to clean; vinyl will last decades without needing to be repainted.  

Cons

• Prone to fading in sunnier climates, though this is less and less of a problem as innovation within the category continues. 
• Susceptible to damage in extreme temperatures; can become brittle and crack in very cold climates while high temperatures can cause vinyl siding to permanently warp, which is why dark siding is less common as darker hues absorb more heat. 
• Fire risk. 
• Doesn’t yield as sophisticated a finish as other options. 

Best Applications

Vinyl is the cheapest siding option, so if you’re budget-conscious, it’s a great low maintenance solution. It likely isn’t a good fit for historic homes or neighborhoods, which often have architectural review boards that may not allow for vinyl siding, preferring the visual appeal of natural siding materials. 

Wood

Classic for a reason, natural wood siding, which comes in a wide range of wood types and styles, adds immediate warmth and curb appeal to your home. But technological advances have made wood alternatives like fiber cement increasingly popular for their ability to combat many of wood siding’s common drawbacks. 

Pros

• Versatility; it comes in a range of wood types and styles, including traditional clapboard planks, board and batten, shingles, and shakes.
• Nearly unlimited finishes; wood siding can be left to weather in its natural state, stained, or painted pretty much any color.
• High-end, classic good looks; the natural beauty of stained wood is especially hard to match with other manufactured materials. 
• Sustainability; the non-toxic production process makes this renewable resource a more environmentally friendly option. However, you’ll want to look for responsibly harvested timber or reclaimed wood to maximize the material’s sustainability. 

Cons

• Vulnerable to moisture and movement; if not installed correctly, wood siding can warp, rot, mold, and mildew. 
• Not as durable as other siding types; requires more frequent maintenance and upkeep.  
• Susceptible to damage from bugs like termites and carpenter bees.  
• Presents a higher fire risk in certain climates/environments. 

Best Applications

Builders, architects, and designers agree that wood siding wins major style points, especially when left unfinished or stained as opposed to painted, taking advantage of the natural beauty of the grain. It also compliments a variety of architectural styles, and works especially well on historic structures. 

Fiber Cement

With nearly all of the appeal of traditional wood siding but almost none of the drawbacks, fiber cement siding is becoming increasingly popular with architects, builders, and homeowners across a range of markets and climates. And you can’t talk about fiber cement without talking about James Hardie. Virtually synonymous with the material itself, the longtime industry leader offers traditional planks, shingles, and vertical panels (trim and soffit, too) as well as a high-end collection of extra-thick artisan planks that yield more pronounced shadow lines, which are a hallmark of wood siding and beloved by architects and designers.  

Pros

• Extremely durable; fiber cement resists damage from water, protecting against mold and mildew as well as warping, swelling, and rot. James Hardie products, for example, is FEMA Class 5 certified, the highest rating for flood damage resistance. 
• Fiber cement is noncombustible, making it a popular choice in regions prone to wildfires.  
• Little to no threat of bug or pest damage. 
• Low maintenance and easy to clean; fiber cement can go as long as twenty years before it might need to be repainted.  
• Versatility; it can be painted almost any color and comes in a range of product types designed to mimic popular wood construction styles. 

Cons

• More expensive than other manufactured siding products. [Note: Despite upfront costs, builders and architects appreciate the “bang for your buck” fiber cement delivers.]
• Requires professional installation, which can influence cost based on the labor costs in your market. 
• Lacks the natural beauty of true wood siding.

Best Applications

“With its range of products, [Hardie] can fit almost any home style from the super traditional to the ultra modern,” says Eleni Vydra, Director of Brand Marketing at James Hardie, noting that they’re even starting to see a few historic districts come around in favor of fiber cement siding. Architects and builders like Tom Dillard of Dillard-Jones and Kirsten Schoettelkotte of MHK Architecture also appreciate its ability to stand up to almost any environment and climate thanks to the stability and durability of the product. 

Brick

It’s no secret that the right brick (left in its natural state or painted) can add lasting character and charm to your home, and it’s hard to top if your biggest siding concern is longevity, but the cost can be prohibitive. “There’s still someone laying every single brick by hand, putting the mortar around it, keeping it level, etc.,” says Dillard, “so labor is a big part of the cost.” 

Pros

• Timeless curb appeal. 
• Longevity and durability; brick holds up well in most environments and can last centuries if well maintained. 
• It’s a natural material with a relatively low carbon footprint, making it an easy eco-friendly choice.
• Visual range; brick siding comes in a host of natural hues, but we love it painted, too—even unsightly brick is easily madeover with a fresh coat of paint. 
• Low maintenance; other than a good pressure wash once a year, brick siding requires little upkeep. 
• Fire resistant.  

Cons

• Cost; next to stone, brick is the most expensive siding option from both a material and labor perspective, which can quickly put it out of reach for many homeowners. 
• Requires professional labor; if not installed and sealed correctly, brick is susceptible to mold and moisture damage as well as pests. 

Best Applications

With the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, brick siding is suitable for most environments and climates. If a full brick home isn’t in the budget, Dillard suggests using it as an exterior accent or along the foundation: “It definitely mixes well with other materials.” 

Editor’s Note: What about stone siding? Natural stone siding, which can run even more expensive than brick, has many of the same pros and cons. When choosing between the two materials, it will likely come down to personal preference and the vernacular of your home and neighborhood.

Engineered Wood 

A relatively new product, engineered wood is created when wood fibers and resin are bound together using extreme heat to create a stronger more durable siding option that mimics traditional wood. Before it’s cut into planks, shakes, or any other construction style, engineered wood is finished with a layer of zinc borate to prevent pest infestations as well as mold and mildew buildup.

Pros

• Comes in a variety of styles that replicate the aesthetic of traditional wood siding.
• Less expensive than natural wood and fiber cement siding. 
• Durability; resists water damage and warping as well as mold, mildew, and pests.  
• Low maintenance; engineered wood doesn’t peel or chip easily, so it requires less painting and general upkeep. Just spray it down with a garden hose about once a year.
• Fire resistant.

Cons

• Lacks the natural beauty of the real thing. 
• Cracks and other damage can allow moisture to penetrate your home’s siding. 
• Requires professional installation, which can influence cost based on where you live and labor costs in your market. 

Best Applications

If you like the look of traditional wood but live in a wet, humid environment, engineered wood siding, like fiber cement, is designed to combat many of the common pitfalls of wood siding, often caused by water or moisture. That said, engineered wood siding performs well in most environments and across architectural styles.

Stucco

“I love stucco,” says Dillard. “When it’s done well, it’s like a submarine shell.” Beloved for its durability and dependability, stucco, which is a mixture of cement, sand, lime, and water, has been used by contractors and builders for centuries. And with the right care and basic maintenance stucco siding can last decades before it needs major refurbishment or replacement. Dillard also notes that stucco is highly versatile and easy to customize, making it a great choice as a secondary exterior building material. He has paired it with both Hardie fiber cement products and more expensive siding options like natural stone. 

Pros

• Versatile and easy to customize; stucco’s unique flexibility allows it to be shaped and textured in a variety of styles and can be painted virtually any color. Alternatively, it can be pre-stained using colored pigments that render painting unnecessary, preventing chipping or peeling. 
• Noncombustible; stucco is a popular choice in regions prone to fire. 
• Low maintenance; stucco requires minimal upkeep, simply pressure wash your siding once a year to keep it clean.
• Little threat of pest damage. 
• More cost effective than brick or stone, but with many of the same benefits. 

Cons 

• Stucco is more labor intensive than other siding types and requires a professional installation, which can cause costs to fluctuate.  
• Cracking can happen and will require timely repairs by a professional, so keep a keen eye out to prevent moisture damage.  

Best Applications

Because of its versatility, stucco complements most architectural styles—from Craftsman to Tudor to Mediterranean to Georgian to Contemporary. It’s also suited to a range of climates but performs best in hot arid environments. Areas with wetter weather will require keeping a closer eye on your stucco and more maintenance. 

Metal 

We love a metal roof (pictured above) in the South, but as technology improves, allowing for a more range and sophistication within the category an increasing number of homeowners are turning to metal as a siding solution. 

Pros

• Longevity; once installed, it will last decades with minimal care. 
• Affordability; metal siding is less expensive than many other siding types, but note that costs can range significantly depending on the metal type—aluminum vs. steel vs. zinc, etc. 
• Extremely low maintenance. 
• Fire and pest resistant.
• Increasing product diversity and versatility; products like TruCedar steel siding mimic the look of classic wood siding types. 

Cons

• Metal siding doesn’t insulate as well as other siding solutions, so consider skipping this one if you live in an environment with extreme weather conditions. 
• Not all metal siding is created equal, so make sure you research the unique pros and cons of the specific metal type you select as it will have its own individual care and maintenance needs.
• Metal siding that is designed to replicate the look of wood siding lacks the character and warmth of the real thing. 
• Dents and other repairs typically require paying a professional to fix. 

Best Applications

If you’re looking to maximize cost and minimize maintenance, mental siding is an excellent choice. Dillard is a fan of it for its custom applications, especially on contemporary projects.