Types of Siding for Homes

When renovating the exterior of your home, changing or replacing the siding is a great choice. Not only will it change the aesthetics of your house, but depending on the material you choose it can also add value in many different areas. Some materials will help insulate and make your home more energy-efficient while others may be more resilient to harsh and inclement weather. Each material has its own pros and cons, and it’s up to you to determine the criteria you prefer.

Whether you are looking to replace or upgrade your home siding, it is important to make an informed and calculated decision. There are many things to consider when thinking about what type you should buy for your home. For instance, the total cost is a driving factor for many people, while others might be more focused on the durability and longevity of the material.

Searching online will give you a list of dozens of different options, making it even more difficult to determine your criteria. But here at Minnesota Exteriors, we have narrowed down all the options into five different categories for types of house siding, allowing you to research and make a decision that will best fit your wants and needs.

Engineered Wood Siding

Our first type is engineered wood siding, which is a manufactured option. It is a composite mix of different strands of wood and fibers that allows it to emulate the classic look of wood.

Pros:

Engineered wood is resilient even in the harsh winters of Minnesota and will be resistant to warping or deterioration.
Cheap and affordable alternative to solid wood, with most of its material coming from recycled wood.

Cons:

Although it is resistant to impact if the exterior is damaged it could result in the composite wood soaking in moisture, which would result in warping.
Because of that, regular maintenance, like cleaning and painting, is required.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement is a mix of water, wood pulp, fly ash, and portland cement, which results in a very resilient material. So, if you are looking for a material that holds a balance of durability, affordability, and natural stone aesthetics, fiber cement siding is a great choice.

Pros:

Fiber cement is very durable and water-resistant and strong against inclement weather, insects, and fungus
It is easy to maintain. A simple power wash every now and then is all it needs.

Cons:

The upfront cost is more expensive than other choices
Siding installation for fiber cement will require specialized tools and most likely will require a professional

Steel Siding

Steel has long been a mainstay in the construction industry, mainly due to its longevity, durability, and recyclability. As a house siding option, steel siding is easy to upkeep and is exceptionally durable against weather, pests, and rot. It is also very fire-resistant, more so than most other choices.

Pros:

Steel siding has superior durability. It can easily last 50+ years, with very little maintenance needed, and is resilient even to the harsh temperature changes you will experience in Minnesota.
As steel can be easily recycled and reused, steel is one of the most eco-friendly choices for siding.

Cons:

If you live in a very wet climate or near the coast, the steel is more likely to rust.
Like fiber cement, the upfront cost for steel siding is more expensive, especially when factoring in labor costs as well.

Vinyl Siding

One of the most popular siding options in today’s market is vinyl siding, as it is often used to emulate the aesthetics of a wood exterior. Vinyl is a hard plastic material that is manufactured from PVC plastic resin that has many benefits.

Pros:

Vinyl is one of the cheapest materials available and it is also very durable and resistant, holding up against the elements.
It comes with many different options in terms of size, variety of colors, and texture. Upon choosing your style, installing vinyl siding is easier than other siding options.

Cons:

Although it can be durable, extremely cold and hot weather can negatively affect vinyl siding. For instance, when exposed to extreme cold it could potentially crack, exposing the framing of the house to moisture and water.
Siding Repair for vinyl can be somewhat difficult as you cannot simply ‘patch up’ vinyl siding. It is difficult to replace individual panels and could require a much larger job from expert siding contractors.

Soffit and Fascia

Another service we offer is ‘soffit and fascia.’ The soffit is the siding that is underneath the overhang of your roof. Fascia is the portion of the exposed board that is in front of the overhang of your roof, bordering the soffit. It is also where the gutters are installed. The soffit and fascia are crucial to the overall health and upkeep of your home as they serve functional purposes, especially regarding the flow of air into the house.

Choosing the Right Material

When you are shopping around for siding material, be sure to consider all factors. Although one option may meet some of your criteria, it may also fail to do so. Keeping the criteria in mind helps to check off the boxes and make a calculated decision. Upon researching different materials, a shortlist of pros and cons helps to put things into perspective and compare different options, side by side. Some things to consider are:

Budget/Cost: How much are you willing to spend and how much will the siding cost? Is your budget strict, or flexible?
Characteristics: What is the siding made of and how does that material act in different circumstances?
Aesthetics: This is the home that you will be living in! Will the siding that you choose be aesthetically pleasing to you and your family?
Maintenance: Are you willing to perform the upkeep recommended for certain materials? Are you looking for a material that is more low maintenance?

Minnesota Exteriors has been around serving Minnesota families for over 70 years. Not only do we provide exceptional workmanship, quality service, and top-of-the-line products, but we are also here to help guide you to an informed and thoughtful decision. If you have any questions, please contact us or call us today and we will do our best to assist you.