9 Types of House Siding for Your Home | Comparison Guide

Your home’s siding is more than just a pretty layer; it’s a protective barrier against weather, pests, and other hazards. For this reason, choosing a siding option ideal for your climate, budget, and design goals is crucial.

We’ve compared nine of the most popular house siding materials. We factored in the cost of each type of house siding, durability levels, and more to help you make the best choice for your home.

Common Types of House Siding Homeowners Should Consider

Our list of siding materials includes common options on the market. Though vinyl is the most popular option for American homeowners, other exteriors like composites and engineered wood are making their name in the home siding industry. Read on to discover which one is right for you.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is a home exterior material made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin. Originally developed as a durable and cost-effective alternative to aluminum siding, vinyl is now the most widely used siding material in the U.S. Although vinyl exteriors were once known to crack and warp over time, engineering advancements have updated the material to be weatherproof, insect-resistant, and fade-resistant.

Cost Per Square Foot

Generally, vinyl siding costs $2–$8 per square foot for materials. With added installation and labor fees, the costs are closer to $5–$15 per square foot.  Your specific vinyl siding costs depend on your home size and selected style.

Natural Wood Siding

Natural wood siding is an excellent choice for homeowners seeking a classic look with long-lasting durability. While pine and cedar are most widely used for exterior siding, fir, cypress, and redwood are other common options.

The appearance of your wood siding will depend on the wood type you choose and the configuration of the planks. Some popular wood siding styles include lap, shake, board and batten, drop channel, and tongue and groove. One popular option, clapboard or “lap siding,” consists of wedge-shaped cedar planks that overlap to form a strong, protective barrier around the home.

Cost Per Square Foot

Natural wood is generally one of the more expensive siding materials for your home. Depending on the type of wood and style you choose, you can expect to pay between $10 and $35 per square foot for materials, installation, and labor costs.

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered wood is a synthetic material made of wood fibers and resin composites. The fibers are treated with a zinc borate solution that makes the material resistant to rot, mildew, and insect damage. Then, the strands are heated, compressed, and bonded into a highly durable yet low-maintenance siding material.

Engineering advancements have made synthetic wood impressively similar in appearance to natural hardwood. Synthetic wood products are available in cedar shingle and wood shake styles that achieve the traditional appeal of real wood.

Another notable feature of engineered wood is that it comes in prefinished colors and textures that require less frequent maintenance and repainting. This means you can enjoy the look of your home’s siding longer without needing to refinish it.

Cost Per Square Foot

A significant benefit of choosing engineered wood instead of natural wood is the cost. Engineered wood siding typically costs less than its authentic counterpart, at around $7–$11 per square foot.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is popular for its durability and customizability. Fiber cement is noncombustible, which means it won’t catch on fire or fuel an existing fire. The product is also engineered to be impenetrable to termites, birds, and moisture.

Hardie Board is a top fiber cement siding material exclusively manufactured by James Hardie Building Products, Inc. The siding consists of Portland cement, cellulose fibers, water, and additives for enhanced performance and protection. It’s available in wood grain, stucco, and smooth finishes, allowing homeowners to choose their preferred style.

Along with its durability, Hardie siding is low maintenance. James Hardie ColorPlus products come in prefinished colors and textures that won’t fade, crack, or chip over time. If the siding needs some TLC, simply hose it down and clean it with a soft bristle brush.

Cost Per Square Foot

Fiber cement siding generally costs between $5–$14 per square foot, depending on the size and nature of the project. James Hardie fiber cement siding is distributed through independent sellers, which means the cost will vary between cases.

Everlast Composite Siding

Everlast composite siding is a high-quality material made of polymeric resin and stone granules. These ingredients are bonded to form a durable exterior resistant to insects, water damage, and severe weather. Composite is a popular siding choice for homeowners seeking the look of cedar wood clapboards without the maintenance needs of real wood.

Everlast composite siding comes in a wide variety of color and style options to fit nearly any aesthetic.

Read our review of Everlast Siding.

Everlast siding has solid color built into the material, eliminating the need for repainting or refinishing over time. The material is much thicker than vinyl, providing added protection to homes in unpredictable climates.

Everlast siding is backed by a transferable Lifetime Performance Warranty and Lifetime Fade Protection guarantee to protect your investment for years to come.

Cost Per Square Foot

Everlast composite siding typically costs around $8 per square foot for materials and installation. That price may fluctuate spending on the scale and location of the project. Everlast offers customized financing options to make the investment more affordable.

Metal Siding

As one of the most durable siding options, metal will protect your home from strong winds, heavy rain, and other high-impact conditions. The material is also known for its fire resistance, making it an excellent option for homeowners in hot, dry climates.

One popular metal exterior material, aluminum siding, provides a UV and rust-resistant finish in a wide range of color options. Aluminum is lightweight, recyclable, and easy to install, among many other benefits.

Cost Per Square Foot

Metal siding is one of the more expensive siding materials on the market. It can cost up to $35 or more per square foot, depending on the size of the project and the type of metal you choose. Generally, aluminum and steel siding are cheaper metal options, ranging from about $7 to $17 per square foot. Brick Siding

Brick Siding

Bricks contain a mixture of clay and water fired at high temperatures to form a highly durable material. This siding consists of bricks secured together with mortar, a cement mixture that sets and hardens to form an impervious layer.

The compact structure of bricks makes them excellent insulating materials for house siding. Greater insulation provides energy efficiency and a barrier against outside noises, giving brick siding the potential to lower monthly energy costs and neighborhood annoyances.

When it comes to style, brick provides an undoubtedly classic look and steady value retention. Brick siding is also low maintenance, so you’ll likely pay less for upkeep over time.

Cost Per Square Foot

Brick is on the higher end of the price range, with costs typically falling between $10 and $30 per square foot. Although brick costs more, it lasts longer than many other siding materials, meaning you likely won’t have to sink more money into your home’s siding for decades.

Stone Veneer Siding

Unlike natural stone siding, which consists of 100% authentic quarried stone, veneer stone is a cheaper, lighter-weight option more commonly used for home exteriors. Natural stone isn’t just heavy, dense, and expensive — it’s harder to source, making it less and less popular for siding.

Stone veneer, on the other hand, is typically manufactured from a mixture of Portland cement, iron oxide pigments, and natural aggregates. The ingredients are set in molds to closely resemble the shape and texture of authentic stone.

Stone veneer can also be used as cladding, a decorative layer on the home’s exterior. In these cases, the synthetic stone is cut into thin pieces to provide the look of authentic stacked stone without the weight and price.

Cost Per Square Foot

On average, stone veneer costs $6–$9 per square foot for material and labor costs. This price is significantly lower than natural stone, which can cost up to $30 per square foot.

Stucco Siding

Stucco is a sturdy siding material made of cement, sand, lime, water, and sometimes strengthening agents like glass or acrylic fibers. The material can last for decades when properly installed, all while boasting excellent resale value and low maintenance costs. These benefits and stucco’s wide range of color possibilities make it a worthwhile investment for many homeowners.

One drawback of stucco is its proneness to cracking. Stucco’s durability greatly benefits homeowners seeking long-lasting protection against severe weather and heat. However, the material is extremely rigid, making it susceptible to crumbling with foundation shifts and moisture damage. Constant moisture can also stain stucco siding, increasing upkeep tasks and potential costs.

Cost Per Square Foot

Stucco siding costs $6–$9 per square foot for materials and installation. These costs will increase for larger projects or additional layers.

How To Choose the Best Siding for Your Home

Cost, maintenance needs, durability, and location-specific considerations are crucial in selecting your ideal siding. The sections below detail important factors to note before settling on your siding.

Cost

Cost is undoubtedly one of the most important factors when choosing between different types of siding. Cost varies significantly depending on the siding material you select, as well as the style and manufacturer of that material.

Although you may be tempted to choose the cheapest material you can find, this isn’t always the best option for your home and wallet. Cutting corners on siding costs can lead to higher upkeep and replacement costs down the road. We recommend choosing a siding material that fits your budget and will provide a durable, long-lasting layer of protection to your home.

Life Span and Durability

Like any part of your home, the siding will only last so long before needing repairs or replacements. Luckily for your wallet and peace of mind, some siding materials last far longer than others, putting a few years — or even decades — between those costly replacements. Longer life spans generally indicate higher durability, which is an important factor for homeowners in harsher climates.

Here are the average life spans of common siding materials with regular maintenance:

• Vinyl: Up to 40 years
• Wood: 20–40 years
• Engineered wood: 25–30 years
• Metal: 20–40 years
• Stone veneer: 100+ years
• Brick: 100+ years
• Stucco: Up to 80 years

Appearance

Your new siding will be one of the first things people see when they look at your home. For this reason, you should choose something that’s as visually appealing as it is structurally sound. When it comes to choosing an exterior for your home, your preference is the most important factor to consider. For example, you might select brick for a tried-and-true look and classic charm. Homeowners seeking a bold exterior might opt for vinyl or composite siding in a bright color.

Consider how different siding options might affect your home’s curb appeal and resale value. Should you decide to sell your home in the future, its appearance will play a significant role in its time on the market.

Weather and Climate

Where you live plays a big role in determining your ideal home siding material. Some materials like stucco and wood are prone to moisture damage, making them less fit for humid climates. Other materials like vinyl are more likely to crack and warp in cold temperatures, so they aren’t the best choice for frigid climates.

When basing your siding on your environment, consider insulation needs, potential pests, and frequent weather patterns to make the smartest choice.

Final Thoughts

Now that you’ve learned about the costs and qualities of each siding type, you’re ready to start shopping for your ideal match. Remember to consider more than just appearance when selecting a siding material for your home. Other factors like maintenance needs, life span, and return on investment significantly affect how much time and money you sink into your siding over time.

Once you’ve settled on a material, you’ll find countless professional installers to get the job done right. Start your search by filling out the form below: