If you’re considering installing new siding on your home, you’ve come to the right place. With all the exterior siding options available though, you may not know which option is best for your home. It’s important that the siding you choose fits your maintenance preferences, your style, and your budget – all while looking classic and fresh!
How to Pick the Right Exterior Siding
When you’re ready to make a major home upgrade, replacing your home’s exterior siding is one of the biggest changes you can make. Before you can show off your home’s new look, you have to choose the best exterior wall siding panels for the job.
Exterior siding products come in different sizes, colors, materials, and varying levels of quality. As you compare your choices, keep this criteria in mind:
- What are your maintenance preferences?
- What’s your budget including the siding and installation?
- How easy is the installation process?
- Does the siding product withstand the climate you live in?
- Are there desirable size, color, and texture options to choose from?
- Is the siding susceptible to damage from storms, moisture, pests, and sunlight?
Types of Exterior Wall Siding
This guide is designed to help you sift through all of your choices, and determine which exterior wall siding panel is best for you. Don’t be discouraged by expensive options that include complicated installation and maintenance. Exterior siding products that are affordable, beautiful, durable, and maintenance-free do exist!
Keep reading to explore 10 of the best exterior siding options that add a pop of character to your home.
1. Vinyl
Vinyl siding is made from durable polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is made to mimic wood clapboard. Since its debut in the 1950s, vinyl siding has surged in popularity because of its ease of maintenance, durable composition, and low cost.
Pros of Vinyl Siding
- Available in a wide variety of colors, from muted and trendy, to bold and bright
- Available in different textures, and styles
- Low maintenance, easy to clean
- Lasts between 20-40 years
Cons of Vinyl Siding
- Prone to fading in the sun
- Susceptible to damage from storms
- May become brittle especially when temperatures drop
- Professional installation is recommended to prevent moisture issues, further increasing the cost of your project
2. Natural Wood and Cedar Shakes
Wood shake siding is made from shingles cut thin from natural cedar or other natural wood, and tapered to overlap. For centuries, wood shake siding has been a gorgeous, picturesque home exterior siding option. But, this type of beauty comes with intensive maintenance.
Pros of Natural Wood Shakes
- May be stained or painted to suit your home’s style
- Available in a wide variety of styles and textures
- Can last 20-40 years if it’s well maintained
Cons of Natural Wood Shakes
- Prone to damage from termites, mold, and mildew if not sealed properly
- High maintenance, requires regular cleaning to prevent rot
- Expensive when the cost of product, installation, and maintenance is factored in
- Must be re-stained or painted every few years to maintain its look
3. Natural Stone
Naturally occurring stone adorning the exterior of a home is one of the most breathtaking views. The subtle variations in color and texture from stone to stone blend perfectly with other natural materials like wood, rock, trees, and shrubs. But, before you run to the nearest quarry, be sure you’re ready for the expense of real stone veneer.
Pros of Natural Stone Siding
- Natural, luxurious beauty
- Eye-catching, organic colors and imperfections
- Weather and fire-resistant
- Easy to maintain
- Durable and long-lasting
Cons of Natural Stone Siding
- Heavy, requires a professional contractor to install
- Expensive: $22-$45 per square foot, including labor
- Installation is time-consuming
- Must be sealed for protection from outdoor elements
4. Brick
Made from natural clay and shale, bricks are one of the more timeless, sturdy exterior siding products available. Brick homes tend to hold their value over time, and are still highly desired by homeowners today.
Pros of Brick Siding
- Timeless, classic, and always in style
- Long-lasting
- Durable, won’t damage in hail storms
- Can help insulate your home
- Fire resistant
Cons of Brick Siding
- Few customization options
- Can be painted, but it's a labor-intensive process
- Expensive: $8-$21 per square foot including labor
- Must be installed by skilled labor
5. Fiber Cement
Fiber cement siding is made from a mixture of sand, cement, and cellulose fibers (fibers created by dissolving wood pulp). These elements form a strong exterior siding product that’s equally as beautiful.
Pros of Fiber Cement Siding
- Fire resistant
- Strong
- Resistant to fading
- Can be painted or stained in any color
Cons of Fiber Cement Siding
- Vulnerable to cracking and chipping
- Expensive: $5-$10 per square foot including installation, plus more when you include the cost of maintenance
- Absorbs moisture that can lead to panel damage, rot, and mold
- Requires regular painting to maintain its beauty
6. Metal, Aluminum, Steel
Metal siding panels are typically made of either aluminum or steel and have grown in popularity for their strength and ability to protect a home from the elements. Metal siding looks similar to vinyl siding, but feels different to the touch.
Pros of Metal Siding
- Modern aesthetic
- Comes in a variety of colors, wood grains, and designs
- Durable
- Low maintenance
- Easy to clean
- Mold resistant
- Fire resistant, ideal for areas prone to fires and lightning strikes
Cons of Metal Siding
- Prone to denting and scratching
- Color can fade over time
- Prone to rust
- Recommended to hire a professional to install
7. Faux Stone
Faux stone is a widely used home improvement material that offers the same benefits as natural stone, without the hefty price tag. Shown below, Barron Designs offers two types of exterior faux stone panels. The main differences between the two are what they’re made of, and how they’re installed.
Faux stone wall panels, made of high-density polyurethane, are a remarkable product that offers a realistic stone-like appearance without the hassle of natural stone. This type of exterior siding can be installed using adhesive only, or adhesive and screws.
Novik faux stone exterior siding panels are made of durable polypropylene molded from real stone to mimic the look and feel of authentic stone. Faux stone exterior wall siding panels are installed like vinyl siding, using starter strips.
Pros of Faux Stone Siding Panels
- Lightweight and easy to install
- More affordable than natural stone veneer
- Provides the same look and texture as natural stone
- Available in a variety of eye-catching colors
- Resistant to cracking, chipping, and fading in the sun
- Resistant to pests
- Requires little to no maintenance
- Easy to clean with plain water or mild soap
8. Faux Brick
Faux brick exterior siding adds a pop of earthy good looks to any home. Just like real brick, both of Barron Designs’ faux brick exterior products can withstand extreme climate conditions, while maintaining timelessness and classic beauty.
Faux brick wall panels, made of high-density polyurethane, can turn your home into a neighborhood standout. Faux brick wall panels can be installed using adhesive only, or adhesive and screws.
Novik faux brick exterior siding panels are made from lightweight polypropylene and are available in four attractive colors. Installation is easy and can be done on your own without hiring expensive labor.
Pros of Faux Brick Siding Panels
- Lightweight
- Easy to install yourself
- More affordable to buy, ship, and install compared to real brick
- Provides the same look and rustic texture as real brick
- Available in a variety of colors that mimic natural brick
- Resistant to cracking, chipping, and fading
- Durable in the face of extreme climate conditions
- Resistant to pests
- Requires little to no maintenance
9. Faux Wood
If you’re looking to add the elegant look of authentic cedar shakes or reclaimed barnwood to your home’s exterior, Barron Designs faux wood siding products do just that.
Faux wood wall panels, available in styles ranging from rustic barnwood to the rugged charm of distressed wood, are made from durable and lightweight polyurethane. Faux wood wall panels bring a warm, welcoming feeling to any exterior area of your home.
Novik faux wood exterior siding panels are made of molded polypropylene, giving them the same natural look and feel as real cedar shakes, but with far less maintenance.
Pros of Faux Wood Siding Panels
- Lightweight
- Easy to install yourself
- More affordable than real wood
- Indistinguishable from the texture and look of natural wood
- Available in a wide variety of versatile colors
- Resistant to erosion, cracking, chipping, and fading
- Resistant to damage by pests, carpenter ants, or termites
- Easy to clean, and requires little to no maintenance
10. Faux River Rock
Whether you’re living in a city, or the wide-open country, faux river rock exterior siding panels add a touch of nature to any space. Both of Barron Designs’ faux river rock siding products have three-dimensional, eye-catching detail that is sure to turn heads.
Faux river rock wall panels, made of durable high-density polyurethane, are meticulously hand-crafted to mimic the subtle color variations and texture of real river rock.
Novik faux river rock exterior siding has the same smooth texture as a rock that was just pulled from the river. These exterior wall siding panels are stunning as an accent to your home’s existing siding or can be installed from top to bottom as part of a whole-house facelift.
Pros of Faux River Rock Siding Panels
- Lightweight
- Easy to install yourself
- More affordable than real river rock
- Provides the same look and smooth texture as real river rock
- Available in a wide variety of colors
- Resistant to cracking, chipping, and fading
- Resistant to pests
- Requires little to no maintenance
Faux Exterior Wall Siding Panels Create Lasting Impressions
The process of choosing the right exterior siding can be overwhelming. A lot of boxes need to be checked, including finding siding that meets your budget and your aesthetic.
With exterior wall siding panels from Barron Designs, you can check all of those boxes with a gorgeous, affordable, durable, and easy-to-install product. As always, samples are available to help you make the best decision.
Ready to get started? Before you place an order, check out our easy guide to determine how much siding you need for your project.
How to Measure For Exterior Siding (A Guide)
Shop Related Products
