As temperatures and the humidity begin to decline, a house siding project is perfect for fall in preparation for harsher winter weather.
Whether you want to refresh your home’s entire exterior or spruce it up with a single accent wall, there are several options to make your vision come to life.
To help with the decision-making process, here are characteristics of different siding types to help you decide which best suits your needs and will give you the look and feel you want for your home.
Capture the Richness and Warmth of Hardwoods
Natural hardwood delivers inviting character and a homey feel while simultaneously achieving a sleek look that many homeowners seek. Ipe, red balau, and borneo mahogany are exceptional options available for house siding in this category. However, keep in mind to:
Preserve with Staining
Hardwoods are naturally decay- and bug-resistant, though all wood siding needs to be stained. Top recommendations include Penofin Architectural or Messmer’s UV Plus for Hardwood for maximum penetration to preserve the wood and maintain its natural beauty.
Use a Rain Screen System
When installing hardwood siding, use a rainscreen system, which sits an inch or two away from the exterior wall. This creates airflow to reduce rot, mildew, and other warping and elemental damage.
Introduce Specialized Siding Patterns with Softwoods
Redwood and cedar are excellent softwood siding options. Of the two, cedar can be longer-lasting and contains more red tannin. Alternatively, all-heart redwood is an ideal choice for a large siding area.
Like hardwoods, softwoods also need to be stained to maintain the integrity of the wood. With this type of siding, consider:
Unique Siding Patterns
All wood siding is flexible, with different siding patterns available, so you’re not limited to one look. Mix-and-match wide and narrow boards. Match an existing pattern, like what’s needed for a historic home, or get creative with a whole new look.
Adding an Accent Wall
Not ready to take on an entire siding project? Customize an accent wall to complement the aesthetic of your home.
In addition to redwood and cedar, hemlock tongue-and-groove siding is a modern alternative. While it won’t last as long in a weather-exposed side of the house, it may be suitable for accent walls or interior siding.
Embrace the Low-Maintenance Convenience of Composite Siding
There’s more flexibility with wood siding than with composite, and you run the risk of a siding style or color being discontinued. However, there are plenty of benefits that make composite siding preferred by many.
Sylvanix, Always in Stock
J&W Lumber is the premier distributor of Sylvanix in Southern California. This cladding is made with recycled eucalyptus and recycled plastics, with two different collections to choose from – Soar Signature and Designer.
Soar Signature has skinnier pieces, which fulfill the current house siding trend. With three colors to choose from, it’s also pest-resistant, mold-resistant, and delivers all the traditional benefits composite decking offers, but in a siding solution. Plus, it’s low-maintenance and, unlike wood siding, comes with a warranty.
The Lightweight Look of Trex and Azek
Trex and Azek are other composite siding options. Azek PVC is cladding made up of only plastic without any wood fiber, making it lighter in weight and cooler to the touch.
It’s available in 1×6, 1×8, and 1×4. Whereas, Trex is available in 1×6 only. Both come with hidden fastener systems and in various colors to create a streamlined look and inviting appeal.
TruExterior: Good for Ground Contact
TruExterior is a fly ash material, making it impervious to moisture absorption and rot. The boards are ideal to use alongside the bottom of a home, where they are likely to be hit by sprinklers or absorb dew from the grass.
Azek also makes trim boards with the same characteristics, though other composite siding and wood siding are not approved for ground contact.
Cost-Effective Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is budget-friendly and bug- and rot-resistant. Allura is available pre-primed, allowing you to paint it any color you want, or you can order it pre-finished with the color of your choice.
James Hardie is another fiber cement siding option with the same attributes: cost-effective, durable, primed or pre-finished. However, its boards are more brittle. Therefore, it’s not recommended to install near a garage or any area where it could easily get hit and break.
Bonus Style: Metal Siding (AFC Roofing)
In addition to hardwood, softwood, and composite siding, metal siding is commonly found in rural and industrial areas. Traditional corrugated wall panels are widely recognized across the countryside, though there are several other unique ridge patterns to choose from as well.
Metal siding is also available in different colors, plus there’s a certain type that will naturally oxidize and rust over time for a popular rustic look.
Stop by J&W Lumber for Your House Siding Needs
Ready for new siding but unsure where to start? We’re here to help.
We have all styles of siding in stock, plus we can special order certain materials. Swing by your local store and speak to one of our friendly representatives to talk through ideas and get everything you need to begin.