You may have decided it’s time for new siding for your home, but now the question is: which outdoor building material is best?
From fiber cement for full coverage to cladding when an accent wall is all you need, there is an option for every homeowner’s budget and style.
Here’s a breakdown of different types of home exterior siding and recommendations to help you decide.
Fiber Cement
James Hardie is durable, cost-effective fiber cement siding that’s fire-resistant and comes with a 30-year warranty.
It’s available primed or pre-colored in nearly every type of design, including plank, shingle, panel, and board and batten.
Sylvanix
Choose from two different composite siding styles, Designer and Soar, the latter of which offers a more modern aesthetic.
Both are made with a blend of recycled materials and eucalyptus, and come in several pre-colored pieces, an easy-to-install hidden-clip fastening system, and a 25-year warranty.
LP Siding
LP SmartSide is pressed wood siding available in panels or planks. Even though it’s a wood fiber, it’s extremely durable and fire-resistant and is pre-primed for nearly any environment.
Its 50/50 warranty includes a five-year, 100% labor and material replacement feature and a 50-year prorated material replacement feature thereafter.
Cladding
Trex Cladding can be applied to the home’s exterior vertically or horizontally for either a ventilated rainscreen or as an accent wall.
Azek Decking is also interchangeable to be used as cladding, with a myriad of colors to match a Mediterranean, rustic, or classic style.
The manufacturer’s warranty remains intact as long as the installation follows the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Wood
Redwood or Western Red Cedar are two of the most popular choices for home exterior siding due to the natural beauty of these woods.
There are several ways to customize the look. Some homeowners choose Douglas Fir trim or a specific hue of an oil-based stain to change the appearance.
Bring photos of what you’re envisioning, and J&W Lumber can match styles and patterns. This is particularly helpful for those preserving historic homes, as we can recreate exact looks and structural details.
Siding Recommendations Based on Top Priorities
Siding instantly improves your home’s curb appeal, regardless of the outdoor building material you choose.
While aesthetics may be the first factor in your selection process, you’ll want to think about overall cost and maintenance to ensure you get the type of home exterior siding that best fits your project goals.
- Affordability – James Hardie
- Fire-Resistance – James Hardie
- Style Options/Customization – Wood
- Longevity – Azek PVC
Questions to Consider When Choosing Home Exterior Siding
How much maintenance are you willing to do?
Though Southern California maintains moderate temperatures most of the year, there is still salt air, high winds, fire dangers, and the possibility of snow and other harsh weather elements to contend with depending on your neighborhood.
Consider what your siding will be exposed to year-round and what type of material will hold up best for the long-term without requiring constant replacement or upkeep.
What is your budget?
Not all siding projects require a complete refresh and replacement of all boards. Consider the actual measurements of what you’ll need and compare the cost benefits of different types of siding.
Some homeowners only require an accent wall as an update to their home’s exterior, which can be a more affordable yet still noticeable change.
Do you have external restrictions to consider, such as high-risk fire areas or HOA regulations?
Different neighborhoods have different requirements, such as HOA architectural guidelines or certain material requirements for high-risk fire areas.
Check for any possible parameters that may guide your project before settling on a style or color that may conflict with what’s possible for your area.
Stop by Your Local Lumberyard
We are always here to help you compare siding options.
Come in and talk with one of our friendly representatives at your local J&W Lumber and see everything we have in stock.