Siding Series Part 2: Deciding On Siding

Deciding on Siding? We Can Help.

If you’re adding an addition to your home, or it’s time to replace your existing siding, the fall is a great time to do it. Cooler temperatures make outdoor work more comfortable, and it’s usually easier to find a qualified installer or contractor than it is in the thick of summer. Once you’ve decided it’s time to start a siding project, the big question to answer is: what type of siding is right for my home?

Siding is important. It protects your home from the elements, while at the same time allows air flow so your interior walls can shed moisture from outside and humidity from the inside. In addition to its functionality, your siding also defines the style and character of your home. It’s the first thing you see on a house, and it drives perceptions about the quality of your home. Like beauty, siding is more than skin deep.

There are a lot of options when it comes to choosing your siding. Narrowing down your selection based on factors like, how much maintenance I’m willing to do, whether I’m going to paint or stain, and even environmental impact, can make the selection process much easier. At The Decking Superstore we often use  a siding decision guide to help our customers.

Generally speaking, siding materials can be divided into one of two categories: natural wood siding, and composite or synthetic siding. Let’s start with an overview of wood:

Wood siding is available in either hard wood or soft wood species. Hard woods are denser and heavier than soft woods and tend to be more durable. They’re also more expensive and require more effort to install. The most popular hard wood siding is available in Ipe, Cumaru and Garapa, all of which have a rich, exotic look that will last for decades.

Soft wood siding comes in Western Red Cedar and California Redwood, and both species are naturally resistant to rot, decay and insects, and have warm, reddish and honey-yellow hues that are highly sought after. Cedar and Redwood siding is available in a wide variety of profiles and dimensions, so you can create virtually any look to suit your taste.

Non-wood or composite siding manufacturers like Trex, AZEK, and Fiberon all use different materials to produce their products, but most are a combination of waste wood fiber and resin that’s compressed and manufactured to look like wood.

AZEK siding products, which are available under the TimberTech brand, are engineered to provide exceptional weather and UV resistance and many of their profiles come with a 50-year Fade and Stain warranty.

Fiberon siding, or cladding as it’s also know by, is available in eight striking, multi-tonal colors that emulate natural hardwoods. Fiberon products are easy to install, and they never require painting, or refinishing, so there are no additional maintenance costs to contend with down the road.

Trex is a very popular manufacturer of exterior siding that produces a wide variety of both monochromatic and multi-tonal, square-edge boards in 12’, 16’, and 20’ lengths, minimizing the need for seams or scarf joints on wider wall spaces.

Regardless of your choice, whether hard wood, soft wood or composite, we at The Decking Superstore are here to make sure you get the right product for your needs. Contact us today. 

Want to narrow your choices more? Using our siding decision wizard to find the best siding choice for you.