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The moment someone builds a house, nature begins the process of destroying it. This can be a shockingly fast process, as when a natural disaster sweeps through the area and erases the house, or it can be a slow, grinding process of weather and time picking away at the structure bit by bit.
That’s why houses are always clad in siding of some sort. Siding keeps the sun, wind, and rain off the structural aspects of the home, extending its life. But siding isn’t cheap. The average cost of siding a house these days is $12,690, but the high end tops out over $20,000. The good news? It’s a terrific investment. Not only does siding protect your overall investment in the home, it has a very high return on investment (ROI) (typically between 75% and 85%). Plus, the boost to your home’s curb appeal that fresh siding provides can translate into an increase in property value of as much as 10%.
There are a lot of siding options for your house. Here’s a rundown of your choices and how to decide whether they'll work for you.
Vinyl siding
Vinyl siding is basically plastic, but don’t let that fool you. While early versions of vinyl siding were prone to cracking and looked kind of cheap, modern vinyl siding comes in a wide range of styles and colors and is one of the most durable siding materials around.
Pros: Vinyl siding is relatively affordable, averaging about $11,100 per installation. It’s also a flexible choice, as you can find vinyl in a wide variety of styles mimicking wood or other materials.
Cons: While vinyl can last decades with proper maintenance, it can also fade within a decade or two, and is generally considered to have a lifespan of about 20 years or so, which is shorter than other materials.
When to choose: When cost is a main consideration.
Metal siding
Metal siding, typically aluminum or steel (although other metals like copper can be used), is a durable siding material with a distinctive look. Costs range from $8,374 to $22,942 depending on the material and size of the house.
Pros: Most metal siding will last between 30-50 years, and it’s very low maintenance. It also offers a distinctive look to your home.
Cons: Metal is durable, but it weathers unpredictably. Dents, scratches, or some sort of patina aren’t uncommon, and while it won’t undermine the function of the siding, it might undermine your style. Metal is also a poor insulator and sound barrier and can conduct sound into the house.
When to choose: When durability and longevity are primary concerns, but you don’t want the look of brick or stone.
Wood siding
Wood siding comes in a lot of different forms, including old-school clapboard (which most vinyl siding seeks to imitate), split logs (for that cabin feel), board and batten (for a farmhouse look), and shakes and shingles (for that New England port town look). There are also manufactured (aka engineered) versions made from a combination of wood fibers and a resin binder. In general, wood siding will run you an average of $19,300, though it can go much higher depending on the specific style and type of wood you choose.
Pros: Classic, traditional look. Environmentally friendly, as its manufacture doesn’t require any toxic materials and it’s a renewable material.
Cons: Requires more maintenance. While wood siding can last decades, it often requires cleaning and sealing every so often, and is vulnerable to rot and insect infestation (like termites, a word that strikes fear into any homeowner’s heart).
When to choose: When you want a cozy old-school look, or you want to worry less about the environmental impact of your house.
Fiber cement siding
Made from Portland cement, silica, and wood fiber, like vinyl fiber cement siding can mimic the look of wood or other textures while offering superior durability.
Pros: This stuff lasts: You should get at least 50 years out of fiber cement siding. It’s also comparable to vinyl in terms of cost, with most installations running about $15,000. It’s also very easy to maintain.
Cons: Like vinyl, it can look a little artificial compared to wood or metal.
When to choose: If you’re looking for the same flexibility as vinyl, but you want a more durable material.
Brick and stone siding
When you think of “siding” you might think of the traditional planks of vinyl siding or wood shingles. But anything that covers your home’s exterior is siding, and that includes brick and stone facades.
Pros: Brick and stone siding offers a classic, traditional look. It’s also very low maintenance, and can last as long as 100 years if properly maintained.
Cons: Expense. Brick siding can run an average of $22,500 to install, while stone siding can go as high as an eye-popping $72,000, depending on the size of your house.
When to choose: When you want your siding to outlive you with minimal maintenance.
Stucco siding
Stucco is an old-school siding choice made by combining cement with sand or lime and applying it to a lathe of some kind (typically metal screening) attached to the exterior of the home.
Pros: It’s very flexible in terms of color, and provides superior energy efficiency because it forms a seal around the home, keeping the outside air outside. It’s also price-friendly, with an average cost of under $10,000.
Cons: Stucco is porous, and won’t do as well in cold or damp climates. It’s also maintenance-intensive, as weather and settling can create cracking that will need repair on a relatively regular basis.
When to choose: When costs or energy efficiency are the main thing.
Other considerations
Of course, part of choosing siding for your home will be your neighborhood. You may not want to have a dramatically different style of house (or you may not be allowed to have a dramatically different house if you have a homeowners association). Keep the look of your home as it pertains to the rest of the community in mind when choosing siding.
Another consideration is the installation process: If you’re looking to DIY your siding to save some money, you might choose vinyl siding (even if you don’t love the look) because it’s definitely something you can do yourself.
Whatever siding you choose will improve your home’s curb appeal, comfort, and longevity, so there’s no really wrong choice here. You just need to balance cost, durability, and aesthetics.
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