The Ultimate Guide to House Siding Options, From Clapboard to Cement Fiber Board

Picking the right siding for your home is just as much of an art as it is a science. Your siding not only plays a main character in your curb appeal (it takes up a lot of square footage!), but finding a suitable material is also majorly important so that your house can stand up to storms, prevent unwelcome critters from making their way into your home, and, generally, protect you from the elements.

From stately brick to fiber cement (a popular wood alternative) and even metal, we quizzed housing pros—including Michael DiMartino, senior vice president of project services at Power Home Remodeling; Roberta Tengerdy, a global advisor with Premier Sotheby's International Realty; Andrew Prchal, cofounder of Gunner Roofing; Craig Ricks Jr., president of Acadian Windows and Siding; and Daniel Cabrera, owner of Sell My Home Fast SA TX—on the pros and cons of various house siding options. First, though, here's what to consider when weighing siding choices.

Home Style

Take your home's architectural style into consideration when narrowing down siding choices. For instance, stucco siding looks great on Mediterranean-style houses, while vertical lines that define board-and-batten matches a modern farmhouse.

Energy Efficiency

Choosing energy-efficient siding will help cut down on your utility bills—and by quite a bit if you live somewhere with extreme temperatures. Check out the "R" value (the R stands for resistance to heat flow) of your siding to determine its efficiency. Insulated vinyl and synthetic stucco have some of the best "R" values, while materials like brick and insulated steel have lower values.

Climate

Consider what kind of weather and natural disasters is your region prone to to help choose a durable siding. Fiber cement, for instance, is impervious and a good option for homeowners in hurricane-prone regions. Those who are concerned about wildfires might zero down their choices to fiber cement, brick, and stucco, while avoiding any types of wood siding. Fiber cement siding can also stand up to snowy winters.

Maintenance

Consider the ease of upkeep on your siding. Vinyl, which is one of the most popular siding options, and fiber cement are known for being easy to maintain. So are brick and steel, but they cost more to install. Aluminum, on the other hand, has been falling out of favor because it tends to require a lot of maintenance and is tough to keep clean. When you're considering life span, look for water-resistant siding.

Budget

Budget is another big factor in determining siding. Vinyl and wood tend to be the least expensive materials, while brick and stone cost the most, though veneers of either of those will save you some cash.

Ahead, here's the rundown of different siding types, along with the pros and cons of each.

While brick is a classic choice, it's also the most expensive, says DiMartino, who's been in the business for 22 years. You may notice that many homes built today use brick only on the front-facing exterior wall while the other three sides are wrapped in a form of siding. Brick veneer is also a popular and more affordable option. (Solid brick costs $9 to $20 per square foot to install, while brick veneer is $5 to $12 per square foot, according to Modernize, a home services company.)

There are also different kinds of brick, which is why you'll see variations in color. "Some might be much more red, while some might skew more tan," DiMartino says. "Always identify the repeating primary color of the brick you're using and take that into consideration when planning the rest of your exterior facade and color scheme."

Pros of Brick Exteriors

When brick remains continuous around the entire exterior, it means the home is extremely strong, structurally sound, and impervious to the outside elements, DiMartino says. All in all, brick is typically a very low-maintenance choice and is one of the few exterior materials that pressure washing won't damage (although you still don't want to blast the grout).

Brick facades are also easy to paint or limewash, both relatively simple projects that can transform a more traditional-looking or dated exterior. The most common painted brick colors typically include white, black, or gray, DiMartino says.

Cons of Brick Exteriors

Keep an eye out for signs of cracks forming because they're a red flag for potential problems, especially water seeping in or unwanted pests. If you notice these types of cracks, you'll need to hire someone skilled in masonry work—it's not an easy DIY job.

The siding of choice for many homeowners in warmer climates, stucco is made of cement, sand, lime, and water, and it's applied in layers. It’s highly customizable with various tints to complement your home, and it can be applied with different finishes ranging from a sand finish that has a granular look to a smooth finish. Stucco is popular because it's weather resistant and energy efficient.

There are a few important maintenance considerations when keeping up a stucco home: Cracks need to be caulked and the exterior painted every five to seven years, says Tengerdy, who's based in Sarasota, Florida, and has been in real estate for three decades. It's also important to power wash every 12 to 18 months, she says.

Pros of Stucco Exteriors

Stucco is extremely durable and fire resistant, it can prevent termite damage, and it's moderately priced compared with other types of home siding. It's one of the most popular siding options, and homeowners can choose different finishes and colors.

Cons of Stucco Exteriors

Stucco can require some maintenance, and as your home's foundation settles, hairline cracks can form. While stucco material is moderately priced, installing it does require a professional, and more elaborate finishes can drive up the price.

Stone is an exterior option that gives you the most natural and long-lasting look, DiMartino says. Similar to brick, color and tone repetition is important when using stone on your exterior facade; you want to make sure it coordinates with the roof, windows, and doors. Popular stone siding materials include limestone, granite, sandstone, slate, and fieldstone.

If you're looking for that real-stone look at a more affordable price point, vinyl stone siding or veneer is your best bet, DiMartino says.

Pros of Stone

In addition to its curb appeal, natural stone is extremely durable, resilient to weather conditions, and low maintenance, DiMartino says.

Cons of Stone

Stone is a more expensive exterior option that requires professional installation and maintenance.

Low-maintenance vinyl siding is a top choice for many homeowners, DiMartino says. You've got all kinds of design options with vinyl siding, including shiplap, clapboard, dutch lap, board and batten, cedar shake, and even faux stone. To keep it clean, you simply use a mild, soapy water solution (steer clear of any harsh or astringent chemicals as it will ruin the finish) and a brush or sponge to wash off any pollen, debris, or grass clippings.

One word of caution: Some homeowners choose to pressure wash their vinyl siding. If you do, beware of setting the PSI (pounds per square inch, or the force of the water) too high, DiMartino says. Improper pressure washing can severely damage vinyl panels.

Pros of Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is a popular choice partly because it's so affordable compared with other types of siding. Vinyl siding costs start at $3 per square foot, according to Angi. On top of that, it's easy to install and maintain, and homeowners have lots of design and color options with vinyl, says Prchal, who has 10 years of experience working with siding. Vinyl also does a good job keeping pests out, he says.

Cons of Vinyl Siding

Vinyl can crack or warp under extreme weather conditions, Prchal says. While it's long-lasting, it may not offer the timeless appeal or durability of some other materials.

Clapboard, also known as bevel siding or lap, is characterized by horizontal boards that oftentimes overlap. Cedar, redwood, and pine are popular choices for this type of siding, which is especially popular in New England. Like other popular wood siding styles, vinyl siding or fiber cement boards mimicking this style have become a popular and less expensive alternative to actual wood.

Pros of Clapboard

A classic style, clapboard is weather resistant and can stand up to extreme temperatures.

Cons of Clapboard

Like other types of wood siding, clapboard is susceptible to wood-eating insects and potential mold growth from any moisture problems. You'll pay a premium for cedar or redwood, but these types of wood are less likely to rot.

Board-and-batten has been around for a couple of centuries but was made popular again with the farmhouse revival, taking over interiors and exteriors. When it comes to siding, it's a popular modern farmhouse choice. Wide boards are installed first, and then the more narrow battens are fastened over the gaps. It visually works well on larger homes and is sometimes referred to as "barn siding." Cedar works well for this style, and it's resistant to rot and easy to paint and stain. However, many of the board-and-batten jobs that are done today are created with more budget-friendly vinyl or fiber cement board, not natural wood.

Pros of Board-and-Batten

Board-and-batten wood siding adds curb appeal, the planks and grooves are water resistant, and you can customize the spacing for a more modern look.

Cons of Board-and-Batten

Unfortunately, all types of wood siding are susceptible to rotting, primarily caused by moisture infiltration, DiMartino says. Signs of rot include soft or spongy areas, discoloration, or a musty odor. If the rot is limited to a small area, it may be possible to repair it by replacing the damaged boards. But extensive rotting typically calls for complete siding replacement to prevent further damage (including potential water damage to your home's interior) and maintain structural integrity, DiMartino says. Board-and-batten installation in particular can be labor intensive and costly.

Shakes and shingles are a rustic option for wood siding. Cedar and redwood are popular wood types used to make this type of siding, though you can also get the look with synthetic materials if you're in the mountains and want something more fire safe. Shakes and shingles look similar, but shakes are hand-split, typically thicker, and have a more rough, dimensional texture, while shingles are machine cut so they're more precise and look smoother.

Pros of Shakes and Shingles

Rustic shakes and shingles can really complement certain architecture styles. "One of the biggest draws of natural wood siding is its very specific patina," DiMartino says. "Over time, the color will begin to experience variation due to its exposure to the elements." Shake, which is common in beach towns and on homes near water, eventually turns to gray, something vinyl simply can't replicate. Like other types of wood siding, shakes and shingles are good insulators against heat and cold. They also stand up well to the wind.

Cons of Shakes and Shingles

The upkeep on shake and shingles wood siding is considerable, requiring periodic painting and caulking. Fire resistance is also a concern. Costwise, wood is a more expensive material. Shakes typically cost more than shingles.

Think of a quintessential cabin in the woods, and log siding immediately comes to mind. Pine and cedar are common materials for log-style wood siding, though there are a lot of synthetic options these days too, like engineered wood logs, though you lose out on things like the authentic wood knots that define real wood.

Pros of Logs

Logs are structurally sound, and log siding is less costly than full logs, which require cranes to place. Log siding evokes a cozy feel.

Cons of Logs

Logs can shrink when they settle. As with other types of wood siding, homeowners need to be aware of potential moisture and pest problems.

Engineered wood siding, which is made of wood chips that are coated and bound together by resin, mimics the look of real wood and comes in a variety of styles like board-and-batten and shakes. This manmade siding is treated with zinc borate to prevent moisture problems and infestations, which are some common problems with wood.

Pros of Engineered Wood

It's less expensive than real wood, low maintenance, and has a long life span. It can last 20 to 30 years, but needs a new coat of paint about once every 10 years.

Cons of Engineered Wood

Cracks can let in moisture. Engineered wood siding doesn't have natural grain variations like real wood.

Metal is more typically used as a roofing material, but it can also be a durable option for your home's siding, DiMartino says. However, metal is a conductor. As a recent viral video showed, aluminum siding near electrical lines can spell trouble.

Pros of Metal

Once it's installed, which is quite a simple process, it requires little to no maintenance. Steel and aluminum are popular material choices.

Cons of Metal

Metal siding isn't soundproof. It also doesn't insulate well, which is why it's rarely used in extreme climates, DiMartino says.

Another low-maintenance option, cement fiber siding (such as Hardie Board) needs washing every six months, and you should also check the caulking periodically, says Ricks, whose residential construction company in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida specializes in windows, doors, hurricane shutters, roofing, and siding, and has been in business for 12 years. Cement fiber siding is an especially popular choice in areas that experience extreme weather, such as hurricanes, blizzards, or wildfires.

Pros of Cement Fiber

Cement fiber siding won't buckle or swell in extreme temperatures, Ricks says. Pests also aren't drawn to it, and it's particularly weather resistant and durable. It comes in lots of color and design options too.

Cons of Cement Fiber

It can be a bit more expensive than other siding options, including vinyl.

What Is the Best Siding for a House?

Fiber-cement siding has become a popular siding choice for many homeowners. It's low maintenance, nonflammable, and termite resistant.

What Is the Cheapest Siding Option?

Vinyl siding is almost always the least expensive way to side your home. You can find vinyl siding for as cheap as $2 per square foot.

What Type of Siding Lasts the Longest?

The longest lasting siding is brick or fiber cement siding. Vinyl will fade and possibly warp, and wood siding needs regular maintenance to prevent rotting.

What Siding Is Most Popular?

Vinyl is the most popular siding in the U.S. Styles range from straight, shiplap, clapboard, dutch lap, board-and-batten, cedar shake, scallop, and even faux stone. Triple 6-inch straight and dutch lap tend to be the most popular ones, given that they are the most notable siding styles that run horizontally, DiMartino says. Stylewise, though, board-and-batten is a popular option if you want something that runs vertically, bringing your eye up and down. Vinyl shake siding mimics real cedar shake siding, but is less expensive and lower maintenance. There's vinyl stone siding to get the look of real stonework too, DiMartino says. Faux or alternative products made of vinyl look realistic from all angles and require less maintenance.

How Can I Boost My Home's Curb Appeal With Siding?

Using different siding styles as accents on your home—much like interior accent walls painted in a different color—can give it more dimension and boosts your home's visual curb appeal, DiMartino says. "While you most certainly can choose to cover an entire home in styles like cedar shake, scallop, or vinyl stone, we see homeowners often pick these options for accent areas, like roof gables along the front facade," DiMartino says.

What Siding Is Most Environmentally Friendly?

"The most significant trend I've seen in siding in the last few years is the growth of more environmentally-friendly, energy-efficient siding materials," says Cabrera, who has 15 years of experience in the real estate industry, concentrating on construction and home building, and has bought more than 200 distressed homes, remodeled them, and sold them. Standout new products are composite siding made of recycled materials and fiber cement siding, which can last up to 50 years, Cabrera says.

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Brittany Anas

Contributing Writer

Brittany Anas is a former newspaper reporter (The Denver Post, Boulder Daily Camera) turned freelance writer. Before she struck out on her own, she covered just about every beat—from higher education to crime. Now she writes about food, cocktails, travel, and lifestyle topics for Men’s Journal, House Beautiful, Forbes, Simplemost, Shondaland, Livability, Hearst newspapers, TripSavvy and more. In her free time, she coaches basketball, crashes pools, and loves hanging out with her rude-but-adorable Boston Terrier that never got the memo the breed is nicknamed "America’s gentleman."