Choosing The Best Siding Material For Your Home

Siding is such a crucial part of your home that you may neglect now and then. If you’re looking for a home upgrade, some new siding could be the perfect thing to choose. It’s designed to protect your house from the elements while also offering a unique aesthetic.

A lot of homeowners don’t realize how many siding material options exist. Before you upgrade your home, you need to know the different options to make the best decision!

Wood siding

This is the most traditional option, and it usually consists of cedar or pine. It gives your home a more natural look and feel, and wood is also pretty good at protecting your property from the elements.

The downside is that it can be pretty expensive and requires the most maintenance. Wood siding is more prone to things like water damage and rot because it’s a natural substance. For many, this is an old option that’s better left in the past.

Choosing The Best Siding Material For Your Home

Vinyl siding

Vinyl siding is basically the same as vinyl flooring, only built for the outdoors. It’s composed of many different materials and chemicals, giving it a durability that regular wood can’t compete with. Vinyl is also very low maintenance and can be cleaned exceptionally easily.

Another benefit is that it’s available in so many different designs, colors, and styles. You can find vinyl siding that looks like wood or stone but is highly affordable and brings the convenience of vinyl to your home. It is definitely one of the best options to consider right now.

Hardie board siding

Hardie board siding is actually a brand name for fiber cement siding. It’s manufactured by James Hardie, but it is so popular that most people just refer to fiber cement as Hardie board. What exactly is it? Well, it’s composed of cement and cellulose fibers that are compressed and formed into siding for your home. The materials are resistant to moisture and rot, they are fireproof, and they are easily resistant to all weather conditions.

Again, this is a hugely popular siding option because of its durability and versatility. You will need to find a registered James Hardie siding contractor to install it for you, and it can also be a pretty expensive option. However, the benefits tend to outweigh the costs, making this a totally viable option to consider.

Engineered wood siding

Engineered wood is a good alternative to traditional wood siding. It is made partially from wood but mixed with a composite resin. Like vinyl siding, it offers the appearance of natural wood at a lower cost and with better durability.

If you used to have wood siding but it has become rotten, yet you love the way it looks, engineered wood is a really good replacement option.

Any of these siding materials will look good on your home. Well, you should probably steer clear from traditional wood as it just isn’t that good of an option these days. But, the other three present great alternatives. Now, you have to check your budget, think about your exterior design, and pick a siding option that works for your property.

by
Barb Webb. Founder and Editor of Rural Mom, is an the author of "Getting Laid" and "Getting Baked". A sustainable living expert nesting in Appalachian Kentucky, when she’s not chasing chickens around the farm or engaging in mock Jedi battles, she’s making tea and writing about country living and artisan culture.
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