You never get a second chance to make a first impression, and that includes the appearance of your house. One of the first things that homebuyers and real estate agents (not to mention your friends, family, and neighbors) see when approaching your home is the siding.
Over the years, we’ve gotten a lot of questions from homeowners who want to replace their old siding and aren’t sure which type is best, so we decided to elaborate on the types of siding that we use at Signature Exteriors.
When we talk about siding, by the way, we are referring to the protective material that is attached to the outside wall of a house. Not only is this important for the aesthetics of your home, but it’s the first line of defense against strong winds, heavy rain, hot sun or any other kind of intense weather.
Keep in mind that when you’re in the market to purchase siding for a new house you’re building or to replace the old siding on your current home, you should consider these points:
- The climate in which you live
- Whether it’s durable and water resistant
- If it’s easy to install
- The style of your house
- Your budget
Siding can be made of a variety of natural or synthetic materials, the most common of which include vinyl, wood, stone, brick, and stucco. Which one is used most? According to the U.S. Census Bureau, of the 738,000 single-family homes completed in 2016, the most-used siding was vinyl.
In fact, vinyl has been the #1 choice for over twenty years because it is affordable, easy to install, doesn’t require much maintenance, lasts a long time, and comes in a variety of colors. You can also get vinyl siding with UV protection that increases its durability.
At Signature Exteriors, we proudly use these siding materials:
Vinyl Siding
Plastic, imitates wood clapboard, weatherproof, never needs painting. Mid-grade vinyl costs about $3.20 per square foot to install. Wash it periodically to keep it clean and prevent mold and mildew by using a 30/70 vinegar/water solution and a soft-bristled brush.
Insulated Vinyl
Impact resistant, can be installed over existing siding, faster and lower-cost installation, enhanced soundproofing, more weatherproof (insulation foam does not absorb moisture), energy efficient. The cost is a bit higher than traditional vinyl siding but similar in cost to concrete and wood.
Hardie Siding
Low maintenance, durable, fire resistant, made of cement fibers (and named after James Hardie, who wanted to create house siding that would stand up to extreme climates but still look great), it can be made to look like most other siding material, like wood lap boards, cedar shingles, and wood shake siding. Hardie siding runs about $4 to $8.25 per square foot.
Fiber-Cement Siding
Fiber-cement siding is made of sand, cement and cellulose fibers and can mimic painted wood, stonework, shingles or brick. It’s durable against the most severe climates, low maintenance and is relatively low cost. The cost ranges from about $4.20 to $7.25 per square foot and shingles cost about $3.9 to $9. As with wood siding, wash fiber-cement siding by rinsing with a hose once or twice a year.
Cedar and Cedar Plank Systems
This type of siding is usually made from durable Red Cedar (sometimes White Cedar, too) and can be installed as horizontal lap panels or traditional shingles or shakes. It can be painted, stained or left untreated. It’s a little more expensive than the above options, running about $5 to $7 per square foot, isn’t fire resistant, and takes a little more maintenance, like painting or staining it to seal the wood every 1-3 years (depending on the climate) to prevent rotting.
Hardboard Siding
Also called pressboard or synthetic wood (not to be confused with Hardie), this type of siding is made up of wood fibers, flakes or chips and can be painted and primed to resemble wood. It’s easy to install and if prepped properly, this siding is very durable and crack resistant. The cost is about $4.50 to $9 per square foot.
When choosing the right siding for your home, you should consider aesthetics, affordability, maintenance, and durability.
You can trust Signature Exteriors to provide quality, professional siding installation, repair or replacement for your home to make it look like new again! We offer you a variety of siding options from only the highest-rated manufacturers.
We also specialize in:
Free Inspections and Estimates
Siding Repair and Maintenance
Insurance Claim Assistance/Insurance Restoration
Siding Replacement
New Construction
We look forward to working with you on your next siding project! And remember: We offer a limited lifetime warranty!