Different homes have different types of exterior siding. Siding is a protective material attached to the exterior walls of a house. It serves as the first line of defense against the natural elements. Aside from that, siding can also enhance the beauty of the property, which is why it comes in various styles and patterns. There are many different styles of siding to choose from!
Wood
Wood is the most traditional type of siding used for homes because it’s versatile and comes in various styles. There are also different types of wood, such as cedar, spruce, redwood, and pine. These wood materials are the most commonly used. Listed below are the different forms these materials can come in:
- Clapboards: Clapboards are made of wood material. They look like overlapping horizontal rows when placed and they can be made of rot-resistant woods, like cedar or redwood.
- Drop Siding: Drop siding may be shiplapped or tongue-and-grooved. It is available in various finishes.
- Vertical Boards: You can see vertical boards in Gothic-style houses around the US. The homes often have a cover over the vertical joints.
- Shake Siding: Similar to roof shingles, a shake siding has a different shape and texture than most linear siding styles.
- Composite: This is a type of wood that has been made from pieces of scrap wood and compressed together with resin to form a composite material. This style is more eco-conscious than others.
- Vertical boards: This is a series of wide boards placed vertically along with narrow, alternating boards in between.
- Wooden sheet siding: These are simple sheets of plywood installed on exterior walls. Wooden sheet siding is most commonly used on inexpensive buildings.
- Log: Logs are stacked on top of one another and follow an interlocking design. Picture a typical log cabin!
Aside from wood, there are also other types of siding material you can use:
Vinyl
Vinyl has become popular because it’s low maintenance, versatile, durable, and affordable. You can find it in many colors and forms as well. Moreover, it can be made to look like other natural materials, like stone and shingle styles.
Unfortunately, vinyl typically has a synthetic look, which may not be a great choice if you are looking to add a more natural style to your home. Also, vinyl isn’t as eco-friendly as it takes a long time to biodegrade after disposal.
Metal
Another siding material is metal, which is durable and long-lasting. Metal siding doesn’t rot or mold, but there are some metals that may rust if not maintained or finished properly. This material is not prone to pest infestation and you don’t need to worry about it warping or buckling. Additionally, metal siding can help keep the house cool during summer.
Another great thing about metal is that it works well on most homes. However, you may need to deal with scratches that must be repaired immediately, especially on steel. Otherwise, the scratches can rust.
Brick
Brick doesn’t require a lot of maintenance, and it can last for many years as long as it’s maintained properly. However, it’s more expensive to install.
Brick siding isn’t as popular as it once was, but it remains a viable option, especially for building new houses.
Conclusion
Knowing the types of siding patterns you can choose from can help you make the right decision for your home. These patterns will help make your home look aesthetically pleasing at all times.
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