Vinyl Siding (PVC)
Vinyl siding is composed of Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and offers an affordable and virtually maintenance-free way to clad a home’s exterior. Vinyl siding features a range of looks, including straight and Dutch-lap, board and batten, beaded, shakes, shingles and even stone veneers. Vinyl siding also offers a great payback benefit: an exceptionally high rate of return on your investment. Complementary soffit installation or vinyl siding trim packages extend the package, creating an integrated, cohesive look.
Metal, wood, vinyl, stucco … there are as many ways to clad the exterior of your home as there are home styles. Whether a new build or a remodel, any of these cladding options could work. Here’s a breakdown of the choices, so you can decide which solution is right for you.
Strengths of Vinyl Siding
Durable and long lasting
Lowest installed cost of any exterior cladding. High rate of return on investment
Virtually maintenance free, never requires painting, sealing or caulking
Available in a wide spectrum of siding colors resistant to UV fade
Available in multiple profiles that mimic the natural look of wood siding, including lap boards, beaded, board and batten, shakes, shingles, scallops, fish scales, half clove, hexagon, and more
Not susceptible to rot or insect damage
Complete vinyl soffit and architectural trim elements are available to offer a cohesive and designer look
Can be used with multiple architectural styles
Usually backed by a lifetime warranty
Only exterior cladding with both a third-party product certification and certified installer program
Outperforms most exterior cladding, including brick, in almost all life cycle states for environmental and economic performance
Weaknesses of Vinyl Siding
Some may be susceptible to fading in harsh light conditions
May not offer darker colors in wider profiles; but improving with technological advances
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement siding is made from sand, cement, wood fiber and bonding additives. It doesn’t shrink or expand much and accepts paint well. Fiber cement siding mimics the look of various forms of natural wood siding in applications like panels, boards and shingles, and is available in pre-primed and painted versions.
Strengths of Fiber Cement Siding
Does not rot and resists moisture, insects and pests
Visual similarity to real wood in a range of styles such as shakes and lap siding
Does not expand/contract to the degree of real wood
Accepts paint well
Fire resistant
Available both primed and pre-painted
Weaknesses of Fiber Cement Siding
More expensive than vinyl products
Pre-painted fiber cement siding is more expensive than primed unpainted
Very heavy and can add thousands of pounds to a typical house
Limited product warranty and usually pro-rated. To be warranted manufacturer usually requires removal of existing siding
Seams require caulking and periodic re-caulking to prevent water damage
If the finish is not maintained, it can absorb moisture, crumble and delaminate
Over time, nails can loosen and panels may lift away from the wall
May require special cutting tools and respirators to prevent inhaling toxic silica dust
Limited insulation properties or R-Value
Metal
Available in aluminum and steel options. In comparison with vinyl siding, aluminum siding may dent, while steel siding is susceptible to scratches and rust — neither application is recommended for corrosive environments. Additionally, metal siding must be professionally installed as the longer siding pieces are prone to bending or warping if incorrectly handled during the installation process. Complete soffit and trim packages are available to limit additional maintenance to other areas of the home and bring an integrated, cohesive look to your project.
Strengths of Metal Siding
Durable, though aluminum siding can dent, while steel can rust
Available in various styles, some which mimic the look of wood
Low maintenance if installed in non-corrosive environments
Fire Resistant
Seamless installation (Steel only)
Eco-friendly if made from recycled steel
Complete soffit and trim packages using aluminum or steel siding are available to offer a cohesive and completed look from the curb Difficult to paint unless the siding has a paint-compatible PVC coating
Weaknesses of Metal Siding
Colors may fade
Can dent if struck or rust if scratched, depending upon the metal application selected
May bend or warp if not installed properly
Not suitable in salt air environments
Wood
Wood siding comes in a variety of forms and can be painted or stained virtually any color. Wood requires vigilant maintenance and depending on the type of wood and labor involved, it can also be costly to install. Wood is susceptible to wood rot and insects, as well as harsh temperature changes and fluctuating climate conditions.
Strengths of Wood Siding
Offers long life with vigilant maintenance
Natural looking
Can be painted or stained any color
Eco-friendly
Multiple styles available, including; clapboard, shakes, shingles and vertical boards
Weaknesses of Wood Siding
Requires paint and stain frequently
Flammable unless treated with flame-retardant
Susceptible to rot, insects and other forms of decay
More overall maintenance required compared to other forms of siding
Can be more expensive depending on the type of wood and labor required for installation
Stucco
Stucco is a cement mixture formed with water and materials like sand and lime, then trolled over a wire mesh backing covering the home’s facade. Synthetic stucco is a siding system that features a polymer/cement topcoat on top of a foam board. This assembly is then affixed to the side of the house. Synthetic stucco systems are a bit tricky and need to be installed by experienced technicians with sufficient inspections to ensure proper installation and moisture management, or significant problems can arise. Stucco and synthetic stucco can be tinted at the time of installation, eliminating the maintenance of painting.
Strengths of Stucco Siding
Durable and long lasting aside from repairing cracks
May be tinted at time of installation eliminating the need to paint
Fire and insect resistant
Provides flexibility to complex architectural design
Weaknesses of Stucco Siding
Possibility of cracks developing over time as the home expands, contracts and settles
Some synthetic stucco systems can cause moisture problems on the underlying structure if improperly constructed
Requires professional and experienced installation
Requires regular painting
Usually limited to certain architectural styles
Cedar Shingles
Cedar shingles are made of natural cedar, but require less maintenance than wood clapboard. You can minimize peeling by choosing to stain instead of paint, or shingles can be left to weather to a natural grey patina. Installation can be costly and shingles are also prone to decay and insects, though not at the same rate of regular wood siding.
Strengths of Cedar Shingle Siding
Offers long life
Natural looking
Can be painted or stained any color; though staining is recommended to reduce peeling
Eco-friendly
Weaknesses of Cedar Shingle Siding
Requires stain or paint, or can be left to naturally weather, which reduces lifespan
Flammable unless treated with flame-retardant
Susceptible to rot, insects and other forms of decay, though not at the same rate as regular wood siding
Can be more expensive due to materials and labor required for installation and ongoing maintenance
Limited insulation properties or R-Value
Usually limited to certain architectural styles
Polymer Shake & Shingle Siding
Cedar polymer siding offers the same look of natural cedar with the affordability and ease of installation as vinyl siding. Available in a multitude of colors, polymer shingle siding requires minimal maintenance and offers a high rate of return on investment. Can be used as an accent or whole house application. Available in multiple profiles including perfection shingle, hand-split shake and half-rounds.
Strengths of Polymer Shake & Shingle Siding
Thick and durable product
High rate of return on investment
Virtually maintenance free, never requires painting, sealing or caulking
Available in a wide spectrum of siding colors resistant to UV fade
Not susceptible to rot or insect damage
Gutters and cedar-grain texture replicate the look of real cedar shingles. Look for random and textured gutters for true authenticity
Usually backed by a lifetime warranty
Weaknesses of Polymer Shake & Shingle Siding
Not paintable if you want to change your color down the road
Brick & Stone
Brick and stone siding offer an attractive and long-lasting siding option. While maintenance is hassle-free, materials are costly and require installation by experienced installers/masons, in addition proper structural support at the foundation level is necessary prior to installation.
Strengths of Brick & Stone
Very durable
No need for painting or staining
Available in a variety of decorative styles and colors
Fire resistant
Rot and insect-resistant
Weaknesses of Brick & Stone
Requires structural foundation support due to significant weight
Requires professional installation/construction
Mortar joints can deteriorate over time and require maintenance
Costly
Brick & Stone Veneer
Brick and stone veneer is made from thin slices of real brick/stone, or a concrete composite. The veneer offers the beauty and low-maintenance of brick and stone; however, it weighs less and doesn’t require additional structural support. Quality brick and stone veneers are both attractive and durable. Can be used for both exterior and interior including siding, fireplaces, back splashes, knee walls and bars.
Strengths of Brick & Stone Veneer
Durability comparable to real brick and stone at lesser cost
No painting or stain required
Many decorative styles and color combinations to choose from
Fire resistant
Rot and insect-proof
Does not require additional structural support as real brick and stone
Available in real (thin veneer) and composite varieties
Weaknesses of Brick & Stone Veneer
Installation is more DIY-friendly than full brick/stone but tackling a large job might be better reserved for professionals
Some maintenance may be required at mortar joint over time
Not recommended to be used on surfaces with running water
Insulated Siding
Insulated siding is vinyl siding with manufacturer installed rigid foam plastic insulation that is laminated or otherwise permanently attached to the siding. Insulated siding provides all the beauty, durability and sustainability of vinyl siding, with the added benefit of improved energy efficiency. Available in many styles similar to vinyl siding, but with wider widths of six and seven inch.
Strengths of Insulated Siding
Helps increase the exteriors wall’s R-value
Provides continuous insulation over the studs of a home, reducing thermal bridging and heat loss
Can hide subtle bows and dips present on most walls
Due to its ability to reduce thermal bridging, insulated siding has been added to the checklist under Energy Star Qualified Homes Version 3
Durable and long lasting
Virtually maintenance free never requires painting, sealing or caulking
Available in a wide spectrum of siding colors resistant to UV fade
Not susceptible to rot or insect damage
Complete vinyl soffit and architectural trim elements are available to offer a cohesive and designer look
Can be used with multiple architectural styles
Usually backed by a lifetime warranty
Weaknesses of Insulated Siding
May not offer darker colors in wider profiles; but improving with technological advances