Below you will find a list with a brief description, and image, of the various types of siding available to you.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding became popular after World War II; It is maintenance free but will fade with time. It expands and contracts with temperature.
Aluminum siding can be painted with oil-based paint and some latex paints.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is made of PVC or polyvinyl chloride and comes in a variety of colors.
The panels are installed from the bottom row up by nailing galvanized roofing nails through the slots in the panel.
The vinyl expands and contracts in hot and cold weather and must slide freely from side to side.
The advantages of vinyl siding is that it is comparatively inexpensive, never needs painting, and is easy to maintain.
Wood Shingles
Wood shingles are made of redwood, cedar or cypress. They are smooth sawn and of uniform size and shape.
Shingles can be overlapped evenly or at various amounts, for added texture.
Shingles can be applied in a single layer or a double layer, where only the top layer of shingles is exposed to the elements.
Shingles are prone to cupping, a rolling of the shingle toward the center, and checking, which is a cracking or splitting.
You can apply tinted stain for color or clear stain for a natural look.
They are also prone to darkening with age but can be brought back to their original color with a bleaching treatment.
Wood Shakes
Shakes are a rough type of wooden shingle, usually redwood, cedar or cypress.
They can be either: hand split, hand split and sawn on one side, or hand split and sawn on both sides.
They are non-uniform in size and shape and give a rustic look to the exterior of the home.
Shakes have the same characteristics as shingles as far as application and maintenance are concerned.
Wood Clapboards
Clapboard is rectangular planking applied horizontally and overlapped.
It is made thinner at the top than at the bottom for installation purposes. Clapboard can be stained or painted.
Rectangular Planking
Perfectly rectangular wood planks are applied vertically with their ends butted together for a smooth look.
The vertical joints of the planks are covered by long, narrow strips of wood called battens, to help keep out moisture.
They can be stained or painted.
Stone Siding
Stone has been used for centuries. Today's stone siding products are natural or simulated.
Artificial stone faces are lighter and easier to install.
Of all the siding options available, stone siding is the most expensive.
Most applications support a first layer, which is wall sheathing, covered by water resistant paper on top of which metal lath is secured. Then the stone is set into mortar and laid.
Brick Siding
Brick can last a century. Because it is made from fired clay, brick doesn't burn and is not susceptible to dry rot.
Maintenance involves repointing, that is replacing mortar in between the bricks.
Mortar is a mixture of cement, water, lime and sand
EngineeredComposite Wood Siding
Manufactured siding can be created from almost any material and made to resemble natural wood.
Some composite siding is made from shredded wood, binders, glue and Portland cement.
It is built to withstand rain, wind, hail and insects.
Composite siding is available in a variety of colors, boasting a limited 50-year warranty.
Seamless Steel Siding
Seamless siding sections are produced on-site from roll stock.
The siding is special ordered and a machine cuts the finished product to the exact measurements and contours of your house.
The siding comes in a variety of colors and textures.
Stucco Siding
Stucco can be applied with a hand trowel. It can be smooth, rough or anywhere in between.
Stucco needs to be water tight. If water seeps under the stucco, it will separate the material from the home.
The first application of stucco is spread over wire mesh, wood slats, paper and sheathing. It must be allowed to dry between coats.
You can apply new coats of stucco over original coats.
Stucco is paintable.
Log Siding
Log siding comes in quarter logs and half logs.
Finishes are smooth, knotted, and hand-hewn.
Most siding is made of Cedar or Pine.
Log siding can be painted or stained.
Plywood Siding
Common plywood veneers include southern yellow pine, Douglas fir, and western red cedar.
Plywood siding can be either smooth or rough.
One preferred plywood siding is T1-11, which is grooved to resemble lumber.
Plywood siding should be applied vertically to prevent water damage.
Advantages of Plywood siding are its ease of application, and its low cost.
