There are various siding options that could work for your home. Here are some things to think about.
There are various types of siding options to fit all different styles of homes. A homeowner will need to give thought to various considerations including the budget,
what architectural style their home is, what appeals to them and what is already existing. Some products will require more maintenance than others so if that is a concern, a homeowner needs to give it some thought, as well.
-Timber: Some individuals want to use lumber boards that are arranged in a clapboard fashion, row upon row. In that case, it would be advised to use woods such as redwood or cedar. Cedar has tannic acids and like all woods, must be dried before finishing. This type of wood is sometimes arranged in shakes or shingles. Builders don’t usually recommend maple as an option for this use. Homeowners should be advised that timber products will need the most maintenance of all and must be kept painted or stained in order to protect the wood.
- Fiber-cement: Fiber-cement is another option for covering a house. This product began to be used in the 1980’s and is comprised of a combination of wood fibers, clay and cement. It is very durable and is fashioned into the appearance of clapboards.
- Vinyl: There are pros and cons to using vinyl in this way on one’s home. The pros are that it lasts nearly forever and requires very little maintenance. The cons are that it isn’t as classy or warm looking as real wood. But the lure of “no maintenance” has drawn in even the most rustic craftsperson. Some homeowners would much rather spend their time fishing, hiking or traveling than repainting their lumber clapboards.
- Asphalt that looks like brick or stone: These products can appear very similar to actual brick or stone. It takes close inspection to actually tell them apart. Veneer layers of brick are also used in place of actual brick upon brick masonry or block.
- Metal: Various types of metal are also used to create siding for a house. Common metals used include aluminum, which is often corrugated, or steel. Before vinyl became popular, aluminum products were fashioned into sheets of faux wood. Some buildings have even used copper as a house covering product.
- Colors for the exterior of a home: In choosing the siding materials that will cover the outside of a home, consideration must also be given to the paint, stain or product colors. Hues should align with the region and neighborhood where the house stands. If a home is in the middle of a forest, painting it bright yellow or orange will be off-putting. Instead, choosing browns, moss greens, or slate blues will be more appropriate for the landscape. Taking into account what the neighboring homes’ color schemes are will make the entire street look better. Dark tones make structures look smaller and lighter tones make buildings appear larger.
When choosing exterior siding for one’s home, there are lots of things to think about before making a decision. What products will compliment the architecture, how much materials and labor will cost, what sort of maintenance will be required and the color scheme for the abode.
