What defines a home’s curb appeal? Curb appeal is all about presentation and creating a welcoming entrance, designing a home exterior that’s just as lovely from a distance as it is from the front lawn.
When it comes to rolling out the welcome mat, every detail is important from the landscaping to the entry door, but a beautiful home facade begins with the right siding.
Choosing new siding for a new home build or a remodel can be a daunting task. Understanding the options available is the first step to making this important decision. That’s why in today’s post, our remodeling team at The Construction Group is breaking down our house siding options to help you make an informed decision. To take a closer look at house siding designs, give us a call or connect with us online.
Which Siding Material Options Are Available To Choose From?
If you haven’t looked into replacement siding solutions recently, you may be in for a surprise when it comes to the sheer number of siding materials that are available. While there once was a time when the look a homeowner wanted to achieve would limit their siding options, siding innovations have come a long way over the years. And today’s siding materials are available in a wide range of styles, textures, and designs.
Choosing the siding material that’s right for your home will usually depend on a number of factors. A homeowner’s budget, insulation expectations, and desired siding lifespan will likely all play a role in the decision-making process when choosing a siding material.
These are some of the most common siding materials available for modern homes:
● Vinyl Siding
For an affordable siding solution that looks great and won’t fade over time, vinyl siding is a popular solution. First widely produced in the 1930s, vinyl would quickly become one of the most popular siding materials thanks to its affordability to install and maintain. Keeping vinyl siding looking great is easy since it doesn’t peel, fade, or chip over time and it’s relatively easy to clean using a garden hose and gentle soap. Finally, vinyl siding can handle extreme temperatures and high winds better than traditional siding materials like wood, making it more than durable enough for Twin Cities weather.
● Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is a type of siding material that’s manufactured using Portland cement, cellulose fibers, water, and sand. From a cost standpoint, fiber cement is fairly comparable to engineered wood or composite siding, and it’s much more durable than traditional siding materials.
Fiber cement options like James Hardie offers the natural look of masonry, wood, or stucco without all of the maintenance required with those materials traditionally. Fiber cement is also resistant to insects and fire and can be expected to last for 50 years or longer.
● Steel Siding
If you’re looking for a siding material with a minimal impact on the environment and all of the benefits of vinyl and fiber cement combined, steel siding may be the best choice for your home. While steel siding is a higher-end siding material, more homeowners are turning to steel for its overall long-term value.
Steel siding can’t be beaten when it comes to durability and longevity. Since it doesn’t retain moisture and it isn’t porous, you won’t have to worry about insect infestation or mold growth as time goes by. And it comes in a surprising number of profiles and colors. With clean lines and uniform panels that won’t warp or shrink over time, today’s steel is available in a look that mimics genuine wood.
● Engineered Wood Siding
Also known as composite wood, engineered wood gives the look of real wood with the durability of modern manufacturing. While traditional wood can crack, warp, and even split over time, engineered wood is better able to withstand high winds and moisture while requiring very little maintenance.
● Cedar Siding
If you’re looking for a more traditional look, cedar shake siding may be the best choice for your home. Cedar shingles or “shakes” provide the authentic look of natural cedar but require much less maintenance than traditional wood siding.
Which Siding Profiles Are Available?
Once you’ve decided on a siding material, it’s time to start thinking about how you want your siding to look. When it comes to siding design, the siding profile is one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make.
Choose from a wide range of profiles and textures like these:
● Scalloped siding
● Shakes
● Hand-split shakes
● Clapboard
● Dutch lap
● Traditional lap
● Vertical
● Board & batten
● Log siding
● Woodgrain
● Smooth
● Stucco
● And more
Choosing a Width and Thickness
Once you’ve decided on a profile, you’ll need to choose a size for your panels. Different types of siding profiles are available in different widths and thicknesses to create a completely different look. Generally speaking, siding panels start at around 4 inches in thickness. Wider panels may go as wide as a 7” siding profile.
Finding the Right Trim and Color
Finally, it’s time to finish the look with a color palette and trim. You’ll want to consider the architectural design of your home, neighborhood association requirements, and how well a siding look will blend into the area where your home is located.
Call About Inspired Twin Cities Replacement Siding Today
If you’re thinking of updating the housing on your Twin Cities home, check out our online portfolio to get inspired and then give our general contractors a call. Contact The Construction Group by calling 651-731-5857 or connect with us online to discuss siding solutions for your home.