Siding is one of the most eye-catching features of your home’s exterior. When you’re in the market for new siding, you might find the many different options that are available a bit overwhelming. Aesthetics are important – curb appeal is always a good investment. Here are some practical tips for choosing a siding style for your home that will reveal its unique personality and charm.
Factors that influence siding choices.
There are a number of factors that influence the style of siding for your home’s exterior. These are:
- Water resistance – the better siding repels water, the longer its lifespan
- Installation – whether you DIY or hire a siding contractor, the easier the siding is to install, less work for you (DIY) or fewer hours in labour costs (hire)
- Eco-friendly – to ensure the siding will be energy-efficient, check its R-value rating
- Curb appeal – skip what’s trending and choose a siding style that appeals to you and expresses who you are
- Versatility – the siding style is available in a range of colours and materials to help you achieve the look you want
- Durability – will it withstand your regional climate conditions
Use one or a mix of siding styles.
Types of siding can be grouped into three main categories – vertical, horizontal, and shingle and shake. Each siding style can be used on its own or mixed with other siding styles for emphasis, to create a focal point, or to showcase certain details of your home’s exterior.
Horizontal Siding
Horizontal siding panels run parallel to the ground and can be constructed from wood, metal, or synthetic and engineered materials.
Lap siding – panels overlap
Dutch lap siding – overlapping panels with beveled edges
Beaded seam siding – each panel has a milled edge at the bottom of the board
Vertical Siding
Vertical siding can be manufactured from genuine wood or engineered materials such a fiber cement and wood products. It is oriented from the ground up.
Board and batten siding – wide boards paired with battens to cover the seams
Shiplap siding – boards have a groove to allow overlapping; option of horizontal installation
Tongue and groove – one side of the panel has a tongue and the other edge has a groove; can be installed horizontally
Shingle and Shake Siding
While shakes and shingles are often used interchangeably, they are actually two distinctive types of cladding. Shakes have a rustic appearance since they are split from a block of cedar. Shingles are sawn creating a smoother edge.
Split shake – split from a block of wood, typically cedar
Staggered shake – has a handcrafted appearance due to shakes of different lengths
Staggered shingle – similar to staggered shake, but crafted from shingles with a dynamic texture
Straight edge shingle – has a smooth edge
Scalloped shingle – decorative look because of its rounded edge
Consider specific details of your home exterior.
Architectural Style
Siding styles should complement or emphasize the architectural style of your house. Well-chosen siding creates a cohesive look and enhances curb appeal.
Some examples of matching siding style to architectural style are:
- Lap siding – Colonial, Cape Cod
- Board and batten – farmhouse, modern rustic, log cabin
- Shiplap – modern, contemporary
- Split shake – Cabin, beach, cottage
- Scalloped shingle – Victorian Georgian, cottage, beach
Colour
Think about the colour(s) of siding in relation to the other exterior finishing elements of your home. Matching the colour of window and door trim, the roof, and exterior doors creates balance, cohesiveness, and improved curb appeal.
Texture
Siding styles, materials, and profiles all have texture that can draw the eye to the exterior of your home. Cedar shakes and cedar shingles have raised surfaces with rustic (shake) or smooth (shingle) edges.
Wood siding has grains that form visible patterns. Engineered wood siding can mimic scalloped cedar shakes, board and batten, and the grain of any type of tree.
A general design rule is smooth textures for a modern or contemporary feel and rough or raised textured siding for a rustic vibe.
