Wood siding has a natural and classic beauty that is timeless. It is a popular choice with homeowners and construction industry professionals for several reasons, including a low carbon footprint, versatility, and curb appeal. No matter what type you choose, wood siding adds character, warmth, and charm to your home’s exterior.
Popular Wood Siding Materials
Different types of wood siding materials have specific qualities that affect your aesthetic (curb appeal) and functional requirements . Choose the one that complements the architectural style of your home.
Cedar Siding
Cedar siding is a popular choice with homeowners because of its natural resilience to pest infestations, durability, and flexibility. Over time, it develops of soft, silvery patina, adding charm to your home’s exterior. Known for its unique grain patterns, cedar siding can have a rustic or contemporary appearance, according to your preferences.
Redwood Siding
For maximum curb appeal, redwood siding is an excellent choice. It is elegant, durable, and long-lasting. It naturally resists pests, rot, and deterioration. Its rich, red hue gives any home exterior an eye-catching appearance.
Pine Siding
Pine siding is budget-friendly, easy to install, and has a rustic, aesthetic appeal. While it does not have the lifespan of cedar siding, the longevity of pine siding can be extended with the right protective finishes and proper maintenance.
Spruce Siding
Spruce siding is another cost-effective wood siding option for your home. It has a smooth texture and light colour that lends itself to contemporary and modern style homes. Like pine siding, spruce siding needs regular maintenance to prevent deterioration.
Wood Siding Styles
The way siding boards are joined or fitted together gives a home’s exterior its distinctive appearance. Here are the top five siding styles that will give your home that special wow factor.
Board and Batten Siding
Board and batten siding is made of wide boards joined together. The batten part of the equation is a thin piece of wood placed at the joint of two other boards. They cover the gap, forming a vertical pattern. Boards range from 6 inches to 12 inches in width; batten sizes vary, designed to be as wide as required to fill the space between each board.
Clapboard Siding
Clapboard siding, also known as bevel siding, is one of the wood siding styles that can be installed horizontally, vertically, or diagonally. Pine, spruce, cypress, and Douglas fir are popular woods for clapboard siding because they are less expensive than cedar siding or redwood siding, but possess the same qualities (durability, strength, and longevity). Planks are resawn at an angle, making pieces thicker on one edge than the other. When installed, the upper edge of the boards overlaps the lower edge of the plank placed directly above it.
Shingles Siding
While the term “cedar shakes” is often used interchangeably to include both cedar shingles and cedar shakes, they are distinctly different in appearance from one another. Shingles siding is sawn on both sides with a taper cut, resulting in shingles uniform in sized rectangles that have smooth edges. They are installed so their edges overlap, creating a classic, clean look for your home’s exterior.
Shakes Siding
While they are manufactured from small pieces of wood like shingles, shakes are sawn on one side, then positioned facing outward. Shakes have varied widths and thicknesses, so they don’t lie flat on exterior walls like shingles do. Shakes siding needs to be installed with the right house wrap or insulation material to prevent moisture from becoming trapped. However, they are a popular wood siding choice because they give a home exterior a visually distinctive textured look.
Tongue and Groove Siding
Tongue and groove siding is a very versatile type of wood siding because it can be installed in all three orientations (horizontally, vertically, and diagonally). Each siding panel has a groove along one edge and a tongue or protruding ridge, allowing boards to fit seamlessly and tightly together. Tongue and groove siding is valued for its functionality, versatility, and curb appeal.
