Alternate Exterior Siding Options

Six of the best options include fiber cement stucco stone or faux stone brick aluminum and wood.

Alternate exterior siding options.

The natural beauty and durability of stones like granite and limestone are appealing to homeowners who want a siding that adds texture and visual interest to their exterior. Corrugated iron has been used for siding but is more popular today as a roofing material. The type you choose also dictates the additional design options that are available. We ve gathered 8 unique exterior siding options to open up your eyes to the power of alternatives to that old standby vinyl siding.

We discuss the pros and cons of each type in more detail below. Seamless steel siding is another popular alternative. Fiber cement is gaining in popularity as an alternative to vinyl siding for many reasons. It is ideal for siding applications from new home construction utility buildings planters dog houses and other remodeling or do it yourself projects.

It plywood siding is an all wood exterior grade panel. It may be more expensive but it s still one of the most affordable types. Estimate the cost of cheap siding such as vinyl or aluminum siding as well as premium siding options such as hardie plank engineered wood fiber cement stucco and natural wood siding. Unfortunately because the material is so inexpensive the quality is a bit lower than other exterior siding options.

Like all siding materials some of these low cost alternatives have drawbacks. Exterior building products aren t 100 percent watertight. Because stone is more expensive than other siding options and can be difficult to add to an existing home concerns about costs should be considered. It can be damaged in extreme weather conditions like wind and high temperatures that can compromise the siding by forming cracks.

For example fiber cement siding is much heavier than traditional siding options and needs some moisture barrier underneath to ensure its waterproof qualities. Get the pros and cons of each siding option as well as the return on investment for the each siding type. Anything can be used as siding when it s custom made as demonstrated by architect frank gehry. The first and most important factor to consider is the type of exterior siding for the home.

Before we begin a few notes about vinyl siding. Plywood siding features a rough sawn textured face for a beautiful rustic appearance. Plywood siding is an all wood exterior grade panel. And choosing the right siding can be a tortuous process.

Remember that the sidings we re talking about here are ones that are mass produced and readily available. Select the option that looks best on your home and otherwise benefits you most. Exterior siding can dramatically improve or worsen the appearance of your home unlike anything else.