The Best of the Best Siding Options

One of the most difficult parts about choosing siding for your home is how to which type of siding is best for your needs. Every siding company says that it offers the best of the best options—but a company will say virtually anything to get you to buy its products and services. In order to help you figure out the many options of siding available, we’ve assembled an overview of the best siding options out there.

Features to Consider when Looking for Siding

Be sure to pay attention to these key features when assessing which type of siding you would like to install on your home:

• Water Resistance
• Energy Efficiency 
• Aesthetic
• Durability

Vinyl Siding

While there are more than 15 different types of siding, vinyl siding takes the cake as the most popular siding used in the U.S. The reason for this is because it is by far the easiest to maintain and also the most affordable. You can usually find a siding provider that will sell you vinyl siding for about $4 or $5 per square foot. It is also extremely simple to install and does not require overly expensive tools to install. 

Stucco Siding

The best part about stucco siding is that, when properly and carefully installed, it can last the entire lifetime of the house it is installed on. Stucco is a simple mixture of lime, sand, cement, and water. It should be applied to a base of metal screening and barrier paper so that it dries properly without cracks. While many love stucco siding for its spanish-mission look, it can cost twice as much per square as vinyl siding. 

Wood Siding

Most people love wood siding because of its rich and natural look. However, one of the biggest issues with wood siding is its susceptibility to insect and rodent damage. Another issue is that it does require a bit more maintenance than vinyl siding. But if you decide to go with wood siding for its fantastic aesthetic and maintain it properly, wood siding can endure anywhere from 15 to 100 years. Wood siding usually averages around $7 per square foot.

Stone Siding

If you are willing to pay extra for stone siding, you will not be dissatisfied when it is installed correctly. Stone siding is so durable that it will last the entire lifetime of the house without losing its aesthetic appeal. Because of the difficulty of installing stone siding on houses, you should not attempt to do it yourself without proper training and expertise. Additionally, because of the difficulty, stone siding costs considerably more than other siding options and averages at about $20 per square foot.

When you make your final decision on siding material, make sure you take your budget, tastes, and the durability of the siding into account. When you're investing in something like new siding, you can never be too careful, especially when the wrong decision could cost you a lot of money. Research your local siding providers and choose the one that is the most willing to cater to your needs and desires.