Expert Siding Installation

Vinyl Siding

Since its emergence in the 1960s, vinyl siding has gained immense popularity in the United States, largely due to its affordability, versatility, and low maintenance needs. Homeowners can choose from a vast array of colors and styles, including horizontal and vertical panels, shakes, shingles, fish scales, lap, and beaded designs. Maintenance is minimal, typically requiring just an occasional cleaning, and many manufacturers offer lifelong, transferable warranties. Vinyl siding can be easily found at most home improvement stores.

In terms of installation, vinyl siding is the most budget-friendly option available. If you’re handy, you can further reduce costs by doing the work yourself. Installation requires only a few simple tools, but it’s essential to prepare the walls with 1/2-inch-thick rigid foam board to provide a solid nailing surface. Overall, vinyl siding offers a practical and economical choice for those looking to enhance their home’s exterior.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding offers a variety of textures that mimic the look of real wood, making it a popular choice for homeowners seeking durability and aesthetics. It outperforms traditional wood siding in several aspects, being resistant to termites, water, and fire, and is usually backed by a warranty of up to 50 years, depending on the manufacturer. The composition of fiber cement siding includes cement, sand or fly ash, and cellulose fiber.

While fiber cement siding tends to be more costly than vinyl siding, it is generally more affordable than wood siding. Installation is done over studs or exterior wall sheathing, with a moisture barrier in place. For optimal results, factory painting is recommended and typically comes with a 25-year warranty.

Wood Siding: Shakes and Shingles

Another choice for wood siding is the use of shakes or shingles. Shakes are crafted from wooden blocks, known as bolts, and can be machine or hand-sawn. They tend to be thicker and less uniform in appearance compared to shingles, but they offer greater durability. In contrast, wood shingles are cut for a smooth, consistent finish and can be shaped in various ways to enhance visual appeal. While shakes and shingles can be made from different types of wood, Western red cedar and redwood are the most popular options for siding.

Both shakes and shingles can be treated with fire-retardant materials, which are necessary in areas with a high risk of fire. They should be installed over a solid surface, like plywood, with a moisture barrier in between. A finishing coat, such as paint or stain, along with caulking, is applied on the exterior. Regular maintenance, including repainting and caulking, is essential for shake and shingle siding to protect it from weather-related damage.

Wood Siding: Board-and-Batten

Board-and-batten siding is a timeless American style that dates back to the early days of the nation. Also known as barn siding, this vertical design features wide boards, typically made of cedar or pine, with narrower strips (the battens) covering the joints between the boards. There are no fixed widths or spacing for the boards and battens, allowing for creative flexibility. For added visual interest, you can use boards of different widths in various patterns, such as alternating 1×3-inch battens with 1×10-inch boards alongside 1×3-inch battens and 1×5-inch boards.

This type of siding can be installed directly over a flat surface, like plywood, with a moisture barrier placed in between. The wide boards are installed first, followed by the battens, which cover the gaps between the boards to create a cohesive look.

Bevel Siding

Bevel siding, also known as clapboard or lap siding, is one of the oldest types of exterior siding for homes. This style involves resawing boards at an angle, resulting in two pieces that are thicker on one edge and thinner on the other.

Common wood choices for bevel siding include pine, spruce, cypress, and Douglas fir, which are favored for their durability and affordability. While cedar and redwood are also excellent options due to their natural resistance to rot, they tend to be more expensive.

Bevel siding is installed horizontally, with each upper board overlapping the one below it. The wood is placed over a solid substrate, such as plywood, with a moisture barrier in between. A finishing coat, either paint or stain, along with caulking, is applied on the exterior. Regular maintenance is essential for all wood siding types to guard against weather damage, which includes periodic painting and caulking.