Let’s face it, it’s a virtual buffet out there when it comes to exterior siding options. While having so many choices available today is amazing, making the actual decision can be slightly less stressful than choosing your favorite flavor at one of those roadside snow cone joints – they just ALL look so good!
Stay with us below as we break down what’s trending in exterior siding and how to choose the best available option to help your home stand out.
The biggest trend in siding today is the use of multiple exterior textures (lap, shake, board & batten) and materials (stone, brick, stucco, fiber cement, vinyl). This trend has gained momentum year after year and does not look to slow down any time soon. Using a variety of products and textures gives your home a boost of dimension, visual interest and personality. It can also afford the budget conscious consumer the opportunity to mix and match to create the perfect solution for both their curb appeal and pocketbook.
Often times purchasing a new-construction home at the right time will allow you some choice of exterior options. Most new home builders will have schemes already set up for you to pick from. These selections are usually created by a professional designer and help remove some of the many burdens of choice from the home buyer while maintaining the aesthetics of the community which is essential to neighborhood home values. If you are a current homeowner and are thinking of giving your exterior a facelift, the first thing you need to do is check with your Homeowner’s Association and determine if there are any restrictions on material and color choices for your home. Once you have your guidelines, or if you are not restricted by an HOA, we recommend choosing your materials first and then let the fun of picking your colors begin.
When deciding what material to use on the exterior of your home, one expectation remains king… a high-quality, low-maintenance finish. Homeowners today are busier than they have ever been and demand the low-maintenance upkeep on everything from windows and doors to siding and decks.
Vinyl siding has come a long way since it was first used in 1950’s American Suburbia. With the availability of higher-quality components and better engineering processes, today’s vinyl siding remains a top siding choice in new home construction. Check out the 6 Reasons Vinyl Siding is the Best Siding for Your Home from our friends at Ply Gem, one of the leading manufacturers of vinyl siding in North America – #4 is the reason we hear the most. The Vinyl Siding Institute had also published a great information resource: Why Vinyl Siding?
When it comes to strength, versatility, durability and eco-friendliness, fiber cement rules the roost. Also, like it’s vinyl counterpart, fiber cement siding is virtually maintenance-free. Some may argue it is even more maintenance free since regular power washing is rarely required. The color options alone may swing you to choose fiber cement; this siding type can arrive already primed and ready for your choice of paint or infused with color such as ColorPlus® Technology available from JamesHardie – a baked-on color option that resists fading to keep your siding looking great without excessive maintenance.
You may be asking yourself what exactly is fiber cement siding? Fiber cement is made from sustainable materials – a mixture of cellulose fibers containing recycled wood, sand and cement. This combination of materials creates a super strong, moisture and rot resistant product that holds its own, come rain, sleet or snow. Fiber cement also provides the most texture and style options from panels to lap to cedar shake and board & batten. If you want to maximize your style game with siding that has some of the longest warranties in the business, fiber cement should be at the top of your list.
As you can see no matter what feature is more important to you, there is an option out there to give you everything you need. Vinyl and fiber cement siding are the most popular options being installed today and when you accent with stone and brick, they can make some really impressive improvements to your home’s exterior. Follow this link to learn more about the vinyl and fiber cement exterior siding.
Leave us a comment below, we would love to hear about your siding challenges or successes and as always, we are here to help with any questions you may have. Team CHE has been siding homes for 20 years – that’s experience you can trust. Let’s put it to work for you.
