22+ Different Types of House Siding: Pros and Cons, Cost With Pictures For Exterior Design

Last Updated on November 28, 2021 by Kimberly Crawford

Choosing the right siding for your home improvement will determine the kind of architectural design you’ll get in the end. You must know that the right siding is not just about the aesthetics.

Choosing the right siding also means proper insulation and protection from the harsh weather. The right siding will also improve your home’s value.

So, you cannot gamble when it comes to choosing your siding. You always have to choose the best. Well, there are many options available that you can choose from. Read this article to help you make a perfect choice for your home.

Related: Types of houses

House Siding Statistics

Since its introduction in the 1960s, house siding has become a common option in many homes. According to a report in MarketsAndMarket.com, the demand for siding in the US is expected to rise by 3.1 annually in 2021. The rise in building construction activity will drive this demand.

Another important house siding statistic is the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction (SOC) data. Vinyl siding and stucco were the most common exterior wall materials used in homes starting in 2018. Both vinyl and stucco recorded a 28% use in homes during this year. The data is available in nine census divisions, with all the divisions recording differences in siding use.

4 out of 9 divisions recorded a wide use of vinyl siding as their main exterior material. 74% of homes in the Middle Atlantic and New England used vinyl siding in 2018. East and West North Central divisions used vinyl siding in their homes 65% and 48%, respectively.

22 Types of House Siding Options and Cost

types of house siding with pictures

1. Wood Siding

Wood siding
Image credit: Group Architect

Suppose you’re looking for a natural look on your wall exteriors, go for wood siding. It’s capable of giving your building an aesthetic look that’s warm and easy to work with. Wood siding won’t limit your choice since it has various species and grades. So, your choice will greatly determine how the finishing will be.

If you want the grain to be different; use a clear sealer or a semi-transparent stain.  But this type goes well with the most expensive grade of wood. In case you want the kind that can work with paint or colors to go for the cheap wood sliding.

If you opt for wood sliding, be ready to dig deeper into your pockets since it’s never cheap. Maintaining natural wood siding in good shape is also expensive. Its installation varies between 48.50 to $14.50 for every square foot. But all these depend on various factors like the nature of the project and your location.

The pricing also depends on the wood grain and grade or the style of installation. The advantage of working with wood siding is it’s easy to install, so you can do it yourself.

2. Vinyl Siding

Vinyl Siding
Image credit: Houzz

Vinyl siding is the most homeowner’s choice since it’s the cheapest and flexible. It’s also a popular pick because of the numerous styles and colors it offers. Remember maintaining vinyl is also easy and affordable. Budget with around $2 to $5 for every square foot if you plan to install vinyl. But buying vinyl will not take much of your money; it will be the utmost $1 or even lower.

There are two types of vinyl: the insulated one with a foam board for better airflow and the R-value. The other type is the traditional vinyl, which works better in areas with drainage problems. You should note that vinyl is plastic, so it’s prone to have noticeable seams and can’t withstand high UV rays. Install it in an environment that won’t affect its performance or lifespan.

3. Metal Siding

Metal Siding
Source: Dick Clark + Associates

You can also use metal sidings, which come in various styles like panels, shingles, and vertical stripes. Metal siding will cost you between $4 and $8 for every square foot, depending on the material type. Using metal siding will save you from unnecessary maintenance costs since it’s durable and resistant to water and mold.

You can also stain it to the color of your choice without it fading easily. The other good thing with metal siding is that it can reflect UV rays keeping your home cool. Although installing the metal siding can take time because of their weight, it’s still a great option. The common variety of metal siding is aluminum and steel. So, you can work with any according to your preference.

4. Brick Siding

Brick Siding
Image credit: Young & Young Architects

Brick siding is not that popular as it’s making a new entrance into the construction market. If you opt to work with the brick, you’re sure to get a rustic and attractive look on your walls. You can install brick through the traditional masonry or veneer methods depending on the type you’ll choose. With brick siding, you won’t spend on maintenance. It’s also durable, meaning it can serve you for a very long time.

Brick siding doesn’t need repainting as it can’t fade or decay. If you want to install brick siding, be ready to spend more as expensive as the other types of sidings. Expect to use between $ 6 and $10 per square foot though it can rise to $12. The price is minus the installation cost, which is also high since it needs an expert to do so.

5. Stone Siding

Stone Siding
Image credit: Corbin Reeves Construction

Stone siding gives you various options to pick from, like slate, granite, and limestone. It’s durable and doesn’t need much to maintain. Stone siding will make your exterior walls have a natural look, with the likes of granite offering great texture. In case you want the cheap stonework with veneers as they’re also easy to fix.

Stone can withstand any weather, and it’s capable of making your walls beautiful. However, buying it will cost you much, and the installation cost is also high. To buy natural stone siding, you’ll use at least $18, but if you opt for a veneer budget of around $4 to $ 10 per square foot.

6. Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber Cement Siding
Image credit: Siding & Windows Group Ltd

Fiber cement almost resembles natural wood, and many people confuse it with vinyl. It comprises wood fiber cement and sand, making it a cheaper option for wood. It’s less expensive though durable and easy to maintain, making it a people’s choice. Fiber cement has two types. The first is the pre-coated, which comes in a ready to install form from the manufacturing company.

Then there’s the pre-painted, which you have to stain after installation. You can get fiber cement in any color you wish. It also has great textures since it imitates those of stone and brick. The disadvantage of fiber cement siding is it’s not durable and doesn’t have sufficient weight. Fiber cement installation costs $10.

7. Stucco

Stucco
Image credit: houzz

Stucco is a siding material that comprises lime, cement, and sand. To make the siding, you need to mix all the materials first before applying it though there are different methods. During its application, you can design your choice style and come up with different textures or shapes. Stucco application can be on wooden, brick, or stone surfaces.

It costs between $6 and $9 per square foot. For stucco to last longer, ensure its installation fits well. Stucco siding is fire resistant and can make your home cool since it has good insulating features. Remember, stucco cannot resist moisture, so it’s not favorable for humid areas.

8. Imitation Stone or Brick

Imitation Stone or Brick
Image credit: HX Home Solutions and North Star Stone

If you know how vinyl looks, you have a slight idea of imitation stone as it’s the original copy. Imitations stone’s fame is reducing, so you need to do a thorough search for them; suppose you need to install brick.

The good thing about imitation stone/block is their low price and quality look. However, they’re not durable as compared to other sidings. Imitation stones spoil fast under the exposure of moisture.

9. Engineered Wood

Engineered Wood siding

Engineered wood looks like real wood, although it comprises different complex materials. Its composition includes wood, fiber, and strands, which give it a beautiful look. With engineered wood, you can work with a design of your choice since it’s customizable.

It’s also available in various styles that copy different stains and species. Engineered wood has great texture and can last for more than 20 years with less tear or wear. It costs between $1 and $3, which is cheaper than natural wood.

10.  Insulated Siding

Insulated Siding
Image credit: Clearview Windows and Siding

Insulated siding resembles vinyl though it’s of high quality and has an insulation layer. The additional insulation layer is of expanded polystyrene foam (EPF). With an EPF layer, insulated siding can make your home cool because of its features. Insulated siding is durable and comes with a warranty of up to 40 years. It can provide your house with the extra energy of 20% than that of vinyl materials.

11.  Concrete Siding

Concrete Siding
Image credit: Stonecreek Building Company, Inc.

Concrete siding consists of cement, sand gravel, and water mixture. The mixing of these materials is carefully done so that it gives a durable siding. Installing a concrete siding means you won’t spend much repairing it since it can last for over 100 years.

It’s also strong and able to withstand different weather conditions. Concrete siding has various shapes and styles with outstanding finishing.  The disadvantage of using concrete is its high installation cost. But you can buy it for $3.25 to $5.25 for every square foot, depending on its thickness.

12.  Glass Siding

Glass Siding
Image credit: Windows, Doors, & More

You want a fantastic look for the glass exterior, which technically isn’t a siding. Glass exterior is best for a place with poor lighting yet needs natural light. Ensure the glass you work with is strong enough to withstand wind or storm.

Glass exterior will cost you between $700 and $1600 according to the frame size and glaze. When you install a glass exterior, don’t expect to have your privacy and be ready to clean often. But it will make your home energy efficient as it’s capable of retaining heat during winter.

13.  Steel Log Siding

Steel Log Siding
Image credit: TruLog Steel Log Siding

Steel log siding is still new in the construction industry. The name comes from its appearance, which is of a steel resembling log. Its material combination makes it durable and easy to maintain and with an aesthetic look.

If you want the wood-like look but fear the wood cost considers installing a steel log because of its close resemblance. If you opt for a steel log, you won’t spend a lot of time installing it, and then it will last longer than other siding types. Budget with around $4.75 to $5.75 for every square foot of steel log siding if you intend to buy them.

14. Everlast Composite Siding

Everlast Composite Siding
Image credit: United Home Experts

If you’re looking for a siding that doesn’t need painting and has a beautiful finish cap, Everlast composite is the best. It’s also water and pest resistant as it mainly consists of stone. If you use Everlast composite siding, it will make your exterior have a wood-like look. Remember, it’s also durable and not prone to wear or tear.

Everlast composite has various styles, textures, and colors, so you have a variety to choose from. Expect to spend between $2 and $4 to install a square foot of Everlast composite siding. Buying Everlast will cost you around $5 to $10 for every square foot.

15.  Hardie Board Siding

Hardie Board Siding
Image credit: Siding & Windows Group Ltd

Hardie board siding is becoming famous in the industry after being dormant for a very long time. It’s durable and has various designs, textures, and colors. Hardie boards can imitate any siding materials. It’s also resistant to fire and storm, so it can serve you for a long time.

The disadvantage of using the Hardie board is its high cost of installation and maintenance. To buy Hardie boards, expect to use between $0.70 and $5.25 per square foot.

16.  Half-Timbering on Stucco

Half-Timbering on Stucco
Image credit: houzz

Suppose you intend to have a beautiful and unique siding; try half-timbering on stucco. It has an outstanding arrangement with beautiful finishing. The siding style has been in existence since the Tudor revival was popular in England during the 19th century. It’s durable with different designs that come from the great combination of stucco and wood. 

The wood is responsible for its attractive look, while stucco gives it a protective layer that makes it last longer. When you install this siding, you won’t worry about bad weather spoiling your exterior since it’s resistant to climate and fire.  Half-timbering on stucco allows you to customize a design that you like according to your taste. However, it’s expensive buying or installing as it needs professional handling.     

17. Wood Shingle Siding

Wood Shingle Siding
Image credit: Felhandler/ Steeneken Architects

Shingles consist of even pieces of wood that are of different shapes. The shaping of the wood is by a machine, which gives them a uniform and smooth texture. To install wood shingles, you should put them one extending over the other. The kind of woods that manufacturers use to make this siding is redwood and red cedar.

Using this siding on your exterior will make them have a rustic and natural feel. The shingles are also durable and cheaper than other types of sidings like bricks. If you install this siding be ready to do regular maintenance such as painting to make them last longer.

Another disadvantage of wood shingle is that it’s not moisture resistant. It’s also not resistant to water, making it prone to pest and mold infestation. Wood shingles will cost you $3.60 for every square foot of wood shingles.

18.  Board and Batten

Board and Batten
Image credit: houzz

If you’re into a creative and outstanding look, use board and batten, you can create different designs. The common types of wood that board and batten contain are firs, cedar, and redwood. But most manufacturers use engineered wood and vinyl when making the siding. If you intend to make your house look longer, this is a perfect choice as its installation is done vertically.

It also gives you a variety to choose from and offers different sizes. With vinyl board and batten, your exterior walls won’t rot or have a pest infestation.  But the type containing wood is prone to rotting or pest infestation if they’re not well maintained.  Board and batten cost around $2.05 to $2.38 for every panel.   

19.  Log Siding

Log Siding
Image credit: houzz

If you love the cabin like look, log siding will make your exterior have the exact resemblance. The logs are of cypress, cedar, pine, or redwood. For the logs to last longer, ensure they’re drier and you can paint or stain as you wish. But if you like its natural look, paint a clear coat. Log sidings are durable and capable of giving your home a striking look. 

The disadvantage of log siding is its high maintenance and installation cost. Plus, the logs need regular treatment to prevent them from decaying. Log siding cost varies from $3 to $8 for every square foot.

20.  Horizontal Wood Boarding

Horizontal Wood Boarding
Image credit: houzz

Work with horizontal wood boarding if you want thin wood strips that are horizontally fixed on the exteriors. It will also give your exterior walls a natural rustic touch that’s so attractive.  Pine, spruce, and cypress are the types of woods that manufacturers use to make this siding. With this type of siding, you can work with a color you like since it allows for painting.

It’s also eco-friendly though you’ll have to do regular maintenance. Horizontal wood boarding can spoil if you don’t treat it well as it’s not water-resistant. The initial cost of buying can be high if you go for the quality wood type like cedar and redwood, durable.  Each square foot of horizontal wood boarding goes for around $5 to $10.  

21.  Vertical Wood Boarding

Vertical Wood Boarding
Image credit: M House Development

Another beautiful siding that’s capable of making your home look attractive is vertical wood. Its installation is vertically to make the walls taller. The fixation method for this kind of siding is tongue and groove.  Vertical wood boarding is environmentally friendly, and you can customize it to any color you’d like. However, it needs you to do regular maintenance so that it doesn’t spoil faster.

If you intend to work with a durable type of wood, be ready to spend more. It also requires treatment to make it pest and water-resistant, which is an additional cost you should budget for. Vertical wood boarding cost falls between $5 and $10.     

22.  Lap Siding

Lap Siding
Image credit: david phillips

The most common type of exterior in the US is lap siding. The name comes from its installation method since the boards overlap. There are several types of lap siding, which include clapboard, beaded, Dutch, and shiplap. You can read more about lap siding types to get a deep insight. Each kind has its unique feature giving you a variety to choose from. Although lap siding was mainly wood, it also includes other materials that make it more durable.

Lap siding also offers you a variety of designs and colors.  Most siding materials copy laps design, so be careful when choosing yours. To get the overlapping effect to ensure you install them from the base going up. The installation cost of lap siding varies according to the type you are to use. Its price is around $0.70 to $6 per square foot.

FAQs

What type of house siding is the best?

The best house siding depends on your budget and choice of design or color. But you should also consider your neighborhood association guidelines and the age of the house. Look again at what your neighbors have and the kind of home you have. Don’t forget the maintenance cost.

What is the best low maintenance siding?

If you are looking for a siding that will help you save money in maintenance, go for vinyl. Vinyl siding can take ages before you repaint it and also do not tear or wear fast.  It’s too not prone to pest infestation and is water-resistant, meaning it requires less to maintain. Remember, vinyl is also a cheap siding option, so you won’t spend much buying it.

What is the most cost-effective siding?

If you want to save on cost, go for vinyl siding. Buying vinyl is cheaper than any other kind of siding options. Don’t forget its installation is also not expensive, meaning you’ll save on some cash from it. It’s also water-resistant and capable of withstanding any kind of weather. Apart from saving on your cost, it will also give you a striking look.

What type of siding is the most energy-efficient?

Suppose you’re installing an exterior siding; it’s wise to look at its energy efficacy. The best energy-efficient siding should have insulation with a high R-value. If you install an energy-efficient siding, it will help in reducing the cost of energy consumption.

The best siding with sufficient insulation is vinyl. So, ensure you go for insulated vinyl if you want energy-efficient siding for your house.

What is the easiest siding to install?

It’s good to fix a siding that won’t take much time while installing and that which you can do yourself. If you want the easiest siding to install, go for vinyl. It doesn’t need much work, and you don’t have to hire a professional to do it.

It’s easy to cut, you can install it faster, and it doesn’t need painting. All you need to know is how the installation process goes to avoid damages or errors. 

What is the most durable house siding?

Most of the siding materials are durable. But the most durable type that exceeds all of them is Everlast composite siding. It’s very durable and has a warranty that can serve you so long as you’re the homeowner.

Although it’s stable, it doesn’t provide you with various colors to choose from. With a durable siding, you won’t have to replace it often.

Is it cheaper to paint or side a house?

Painting the exterior is much cheaper than siding. But you have to ensure the paint is of high quality that can last. Ensure that the painting is a high standard to give your home a beautiful and attractive look. You should note that paint takes much more time, though than siding.

What color siding makes a house look bigger?

Suppose you intend to install a siding to make your house look bigger; choose the right color. Color has a way of playing with people’s vision and altering what they see.

Go for the light shades which are capable of making the building look bigger and more attractive. Bright colors also make your house visible from afar.

On the contrary, the dark color will make your home have a permanent like look and suggest its stability.

Conclusion

Choosing the best siding can be tricky if you don’t have the right information about each type. However, if you’re to pick the one you like, ensure it adds value to your home. Look for the most durable and high-quality siding which can serve you longer. Don’t forget to work with the siding that will make your home beautiful and unique.

It’s also wise to go with your budget and more so the type of siding will save on cost in the long run. Suppose you can get the kind of siding that is easy to install, the better. Self-installation will help you save on the money that could be for hiring professionals.

But ensure you do it the correct way to avoid regrets and replacing it before it serves you longer. Finally, pick on the energy-efficient siding. An energy-efficient siding will ensure that your home gets enough insulation all through different seasons. 

We’ll also appreciate it if you share with us your best types of siding, cost, and maintenance. Our comments section is open for your siding suggestions.