What Is Exterior Siding Called?
Many homeowners are not familiar with the different types of siding and styles. This can make it difficult to decide what type of style they like best.
It is important to do your research to find a style that fits you and your home. Some options to consider are: metal, vinyl and wood.
Siding
The material used to surface the exterior of houses and other structures, siding protects against exposure to the elements, helps prevent heat loss and unifies a home’s architectural style. It can be made of wood, metal or composite materials, with a wide range of styles and types to choose from. The type of siding chosen depends on the needs and preferences of the homeowner.
Wood is the most traditional choice and offers many advantages. It is available in various species and can be stained or painted to customize the look. It’s also relatively inexpensive and highly durable, lasting for the life of a house. However, it is prone to water damage and pests and requires regular maintenance from Top Notch Roofing/Siding to avoid rot and warping.
Aluminum and vinyl siding were developed as maintenance-free alternatives to wood clapboard, mimicking its horizontal boards. These are usually painted or pre-finished with a protective coating. They are lightweight, which makes them easy to install and require less maintenance than wood.
Steel siding is another maintenance-free alternative, but it’s heavier and more expensive than aluminum and vinyl. It’s rust-resistant, which adds to its longevity. It’s also fire-resistant, but does not retain warmth in winter, which can increase heating costs.
Metal siding has a reputation for being cold, industrial and modern, but it can work well on any style of house. It’s strong, easy to install and comes in a variety of colors and finishes. It’s also available in a metal-clad version, which looks like metal but has the durability of fiberglass or aluminum. Unlike wood, which requires special fire retardant chemicals to resist ignition, metal does not ignite easily and is harder for fires to burn.
Cladding
Cladding is the exterior layer of your home, and it can be made from many different materials. The style you choose depends on your preference, budget and climate. You can also find a wide range of color and stain options. Wood is the most common type of cladding. It is beautiful and natural, and it can be stained or painted to match your décor.
Other popular options include masonry, vinyl, and composite. Masonry has a lot of visual appeal and requires minimal maintenance, but it is expensive compared to other types of siding. It is also heavy, so it may require special construction to ensure proper installation. Vinyl is an affordable option that can look very similar to wood. It is also waterproof and can withstand harsh weather conditions.
A younger class of synthetic cladding has emerged, made from non-wood materials like polymeric resins and fiberglass. This newer category of products is still evolving, so their long-term durability and performance is not yet known.
When it comes to exterior siding, the style you choose will have a large impact on your house’s appearance. Using Pinterest or driving around your neighborhood to see the different styles of homes nearby can help you narrow down your choices and decide what style works best with your home.
Once you know what style you want, the next step is to determine the material. Then, you can determine the pros and cons of each material.
Clapboards
Clapboards are a type of siding made of horizontally overlapping wood boards. They are also known as bevel siding, lap siding, weatherboard, or shingle siding. They can be stained, painted, charred, or left to naturally weather. Historically, clapboards were made of various types of wood split by hand and then nailed to the frame of a house.
Today, they are often made of pine fir, cedar, barn wood, or redwood. These species are readily available in the local area and easy to work with. While they are typically more expensive than other options, the durability of these materials makes them a good long-term investment. In addition, they are easy to maintain and will not rot or be damaged by insects.
Other exterior cladding includes shakes and shingles, log siding, and brick veneer. While these materials are durable, they are not as visually appealing as other types of siding. They are also more expensive to install than clapboards, and they require regular maintenance and painting.
Brick siding was popular in colonial homes, but it became less common as other siding materials were developed. The transportation costs of brick were high, so builders sought cheaper, easier-to-transport materials.
Other types of siding include wood-look vinyl and engineered wood. Both of these options look like real wood, but they are more affordable than natural wood and come in a wide variety of colors and textures. It is important to research the different styles of siding before making a final decision. Some factors to consider include the aesthetic, water resistance, and energy efficiency. Also, be sure to choose a siding material that is harvested by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified companies.
Soffit
A soffit is the underside of the roof overhang that lines the area where the fascia and gutters meet. It serves both a practical and aesthetic purpose, protecting the rafters from moisture which can cause mold and rotting. It is also a great way to add character to your home’s exterior.
Like other trim material around windows and doors, soffits are available in a variety of styles. Choosing the right style for your home is a matter of preference and budget. A good place to start is by doing a little research online, looking for inspiration on Pinterest or driving around your neighborhood to see what different styles look like.
There are many types of wood siding to choose from. From board and batton, in which the butt joints of each panel are covered with a thin strip of wood to clapboard, in which planks are nailed horizontally across the wall, building up from bottom to top, with the boards above overlapping. Other popular options are stucco, which is a plaster-like siding applied over a lattice base; and vinyl siding which can be molded into various shapes and colors.
Another option is to use maintenance free metal soffits. This is not as attractive as real wood, but it is a good choice for homeowners who want to keep their costs down and do not care about the appearance of their home. There are several advantages to this type of soffit including the ability to install a vent, which is essential for proper ventilation. Aluminum soffits are also resistant to rust. They are lightweight, which makes them easy to lift and maintain, and they can be painted to match any color of siding.
Fascia
The fascia is a key element that helps to prevent moisture infiltration. Like the soffit, it’s important to have these parts of your home professionally installed and maintained to ensure they continue to work properly.
The main type of exterior siding on homes is wood, which is a traditional and timeless style that offers a wide range of options when it comes to color, staining, and design. Wood can be painted or stained to add a more customized look, and it is also extremely durable and long-lasting when it’s treated with a waterproof sealant.
Another popular type of exterior siding is wood-look vinyl or fiber cement. These types of products are also made from composite materials and use a variety of fibers and strands to mimic the appearance of natural wood. They’re often more affordable than wood, and they offer the same durability and weather resistance.
Other common options for fascia include aluminum and vinyl. Both of these materials are highly resistant to the elements, but they can expand and contract if exposed to extreme temperature changes. For this reason, we recommend choosing a high-quality, durable material such as UPVC, which is highly resistant to moisture damage and can be used in any climate.
When deciding what exterior siding to choose for your home, it’s important to research the different styles and colors available. There are a lot of online resources to help you narrow down your options, and you can always drive around your neighborhood and see what styles you like and don’t like. Once you’ve settled on a broad style, you can narrow it down even further by deciding what specific details and accents you want to add.
Many homeowners are not familiar with the different types of siding and styles. This can make it difficult to decide what type of style they like best. It is important to do your research to find a style that fits you and your home. Some options to consider are: metal, vinyl and wood. Siding The…