13 House Siding Options Compared | Materials, Colors & More

Choosing your house siding is no easy task!

With so many house siding options to choose from, it is no wonder why homeowners get overwhelmed by the process. When you factor in

• The size of the investment
• Color choices
• The types of siding

It can be difficult to decide what type of siding you want to install! Do you want more energy efficiency? Do you want to simply boost your curb appeal because you’re prepping to sell? No matter what it is, we’re here to help!

We’re going to navigate the many house siding options that are out there, so our customers can make the best possible choice.

13 House Siding Options

1) Stucco Siding

We know what you’re thinking. Do people still get stucco siding? Yes! Absolutely. Because stucco has shifted away from the olden days’ basic white, dirty old stucco. You can now get stucco installed in various colors and textures. Stucco’s benefits include the ability to resist moisture and last up to 80 years with very little maintenance. We definitely think this is a great option for anyone looking for a cool look with low maintenance for a unique take on the outdated stucco of days past.

2) Stone Veneer Siding

Stone veneer is manufactured stone siding that looks like the real thing but without the hefty price tag. Stone veneer is often used as an accent to other types of siding. It can be quickly installed as a half wall or one wall for some dynamic looks to an otherwise mundane home with one kind of siding. Although it doesn’t come with the same durability as the real stone, it still can work great as both a full siding installation or partial. Stone veneer can also work on home interiors if you want a woodsy rustic aesthetic in a basement wall with a fireplace. Stone veneer definitely allows homeowners to get a little creative with their homes.

3) Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is quite common and is actually manufactured using many of the same materials as stone veneer: Portland cement, sand, and cellulose. It comes in many different colors and can even be manufactured to imitate real wood. Some of the biggest benefits of fiber cement siding are that it won’t rot, it won’t fade from the sun’s UV rays, and it’s impervious to those pesky termites or other insects that can penetrate and affect real wood siding. Plus, if you need a refresh over time, it can be easily refinished or painted over. That’s about the only maintenance required to keep fiber cement siding in tip-top shape.

4) Brick and Brick Veneer Siding

Brick, beautiful brick. Did you know that a brick house can actually cool a home better and faster than its framed and siding counterparts? It’s an amazing insulator and can drastically improve a home’s energy efficiency. Not only that, but the aesthetic of a brick or brick veneer house is timeless as can be. It will always be in style and always have that sense of longevity and strength.

The one downfall of a brick house is that the mortar, as with any mortar material, may deteriorate over time. But it will almost always be at the joint, and it’s nothing a mason can’t mortar and fix in no time. On the other hand, Brick veneer is a much less costly material but gives the same aesthetic as the real thing. But similar to stone veneer, it can never truly meet the expectations of real brick but can work great as an accent to other types of siding.

5) Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is incredibly popular among most homes these days. It’s affordable, looks nice, and is very easy to install or replace. It’s also weather-resistant, fade-resistant, and impervious to insects and other pests. However, in the event of water leaks or other damage to the siding, it is highly susceptible to mold and mildew growth behind it. If your vinyl siding is ever compromised, it is relatively cheap and simple to remedy the fix if the water damage has not penetrated a much larger area. Plus, the options for colors and textures for vinyl siding are seemingly endless. It’s a great option for anyone just looking to increase their curb appeal and get a new fresh look for their home.

6) Engineered Wood Siding

Before we talk about real wood siding, we would be remiss not to mention engineered wood siding. Engineered wood is made up of a little bit of real wood, wood scraps, sawdust, and other wood-like materials to build a solid and durable material that looks and feels like the real thing. Engineered wood is very easy to install; it’s also a lot more cost-effective and is an incredible alternative to real wood, which requires quite a bit of maintenance and upkeep. So for an easier option, engineered wood is great. It is susceptible to moisture seepage and water damage, but the proper installation and keeping a close eye on it can help prevent any catastrophic damage.

7) Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is not as common as some of these other types of siding, but it is a great option if you want something affordable and different from what you’re used to seeing. Its rust resistance has made it a choice option for homeowners living in coastal regions, but it can be used just about anywhere. It’s very low maintenance, and can get a new coat of paint if you ever want to give it a boost. But otherwise, it does come with a few offsets, such as being susceptible to dents and dings, and it can be a little noisy as it expands and contracts, especially during a rain or hail storm.

8) Wood Clapboard Siding

Wood clapboard siding, also known as lap siding, is a rare but beautiful type of siding that includes the horizontal installation of long wooden boards overlapping. Clapboard is different from shiplap in that it is installed horizontally and has one edge thicker than the other so that they can seamlessly overlap each other.

The advantages of clapboard siding include its sustainability, natural weathered look, and customization available. Clapboard can be made of most woods, including pine, cedar, oak, and spruce, and can be painted or stained any way you like. Some people also choose to do the charred method of burning wood called Shou Sugi Ban, which gives the boards a beautiful black color that helps wood last for upwards of 80 years.

9) Cedar Shingle Siding

Cedar siding is a beautiful way to use wood that has a unique look with benefits to match. Cedar is super lightweight, and this makes for easy installation as well as insulation. Cedar does a great job at naturally keeping cool air inside during the warm months and cold air outside in the cold months. It is highly durable, can be customized with exterior paint, and can be treated or untreated; both work well.

Cedar shingles, or cedar shakes, come in various colors and textures, and if you’re looking for a very woodsy, natural look, they are your best bet. As it ages, it will turn into a beautiful grey weathered color that still maintains all of its properties just with a new look. Cedar is both anti-fungal and antibacterial in nature, which is why you can manage fine without treating the wood. It won’t rot or crack and will last anywhere from 20 to 50 years, depending on climate and regular maintenance.

10) Seamless Steel

Seamless steel siding is a very cool choice if you want a literally seamless look to your home’s new siding. Seamless steel siding is designed and cut to fit the exact length you need. There won’t ever be a break where two pieces meet, except for the corners of your home. Seamless steel siding is designed to have a wood grain look but with the added benefits of steel.

Steel siding won’t fade like vinyl, and you also have more colors to choose from. You can now get dark greys or greens without worrying about it losing color as the siding ages. Steel is also very energy efficient as it actually reflects radiant heat, and it can be recycled, making it a very environmentally friendly option.

11) Board-and-Batten

Board and batten are often used as an accent piece but can also work great as full siding if you want to take the time and effort to do so. It’s unique that it is installed vertically (the boards) with smaller pieces of wood or boards to cover each seam (the batten). You may have seen board and batten used for half walls on home interiors, but it’s definitely also used for exterior siding.

Board and batten can be much more expensive than other siding options, such as vinyl. Because it requires quite a bit of wood pieces and is a much more complex installation process, both material and labor costs can go up if you choose to do your whole home. However, depending on the type of wood used and if it is treated, your siding could last 25+ years which pays off in the long run.

12) Corrugated Metals

Corrugated metals are sheets of metal that have gone through a roll former that creates those shapes or corrugated lines giving the sheets both texture and dimension. The benefits of corrugated metals for siding include their extreme durability that can withstand the elements from severe storms. It’s also resistant to fire, water, and pests such as termites. Metal siding is also very low maintenance but can last up to 50 years or more!

13) Composite Siding

Composite siding is manufactured using plastic and other recyclable materials and is designed to look like regular vinyl or wood siding but with added benefits. Composite siding is an effective alternative to standard vinyl siding and is also more eco-friendly. It’s safely treated to resist mold, fire, and insects and will biodegrade in landfills. Composite siding is also very low maintenance but does require occasional cleaning: a soft wash of gentle soap and water can bring your composite siding back to looking as good as new.

As far as exterior siding options go, these are all great options depending on your specific needs. And at Northface Construction, we love to help our homeowners check off all of those boxes. Whether they want to have the cheapest option or the one that will last them a lifetime, we can help you figure that out. We can handle a plethora of siding installations and will always recommend to you the best materials and brands that we swear by so you get only the best when you work with us. To get started on your home’s siding replacement, contact us today!

Home Exterior Color Trends for 2023

When you’re in the avenue of updating your home’s exterior material, you also have an opportunity to change the color of your home. But there are so many colors to choose from, especially if you choose to go with vinyl or wood siding, and it can be very overwhelming. So we’re going to share some of the top exterior color trends for 2023 to give you some inspiration and design ideas to get you the home of your dreams.

Warm Whites

A timeless color that will work with most of the materials above is warm, creamy off-white. Warmer whites make for a much softer appearance and can coincide well with complementary colors like blues, browns, and greens. It will make a much less starch contrast against a darker-colored roof. Plus, a creamy white will honestly never go out of style and can stand the test of time.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Paperwhite

Beige

Beige sounds boring, but it’s definitely not. And yes, it is different than warmer whites because it still has that warm look but without leaning towards yellow tints. It’s a bit more grey than yellow. Beige has been climbing as a trend for many years, and we think it’s here to stay.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Grecian Ivory

Pale Gray

Pale gray has become the choice color option as an alternative to beige. It’s on the cooler side and can look beautiful on just about any exterior, from brick to vinyl to wood. It works great with light trims and dark trims and is a timeless look that will last for years.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Reflection

Earth Tones

Earth tones are a great neutral option for people who want to stand out but aren’t leaning toward dark, drastic colors. An earthy green or brown can absolutely work as a trim or accent color, but we continue to see homes with full earth-green exteriors and off-white trim, and we love it. With that soft sandy look, this color scheme works great for beach or lake homes.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Ryegrass

Dark Blue

Dark blue has been a huge trend for people turning their older homes into modern spaces. Dark blue is edgy and will definitely make your home stand out. It is so beautiful, with surrounding landscaping and with white trim to make the dark blue contrast pop. It’s a great choice for people who want to integrate a non-neutral color into their home’s exterior.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Rainstorm

Pale Blue

On the complete opposite side of dark blue is pale blue. Pale blue works beautifully with green or white accents. It can even be paired with black or dark blue trims and soffit to give a bold look while maintaining a less risky color on your exterior siding. If you want a color that isn’t white or beige but still has a pop of color, pale blue is an ideal choice.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Tradewind

Bronze or Brown

Yes, brown is trending. Some people’s first reaction to brown siding might be “gross”, but leaning more towards a bronze color can lighten up that brown and give it a gorgeous woodsy look without completely going to the dark side. Bronze gives almost a slight gold tint to your home and works great for homes surrounded by a lot of shrubbery and landscaping. Pair it with black and white accents, and you have a very modern look.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Status Bronze

Pewter

Pewter reminds us a lot of bronze, but it’s lighter and leans more towards green hues than brown. It’s unique and works super well with natural wood porches and trim. Pewter will give your home that cabin appeal but with a very modern twist.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Pewter Cast

Dark Gray

As we shift onto darker colors on this list, dark gray is one that we absolutely love to see trending. Modern home builds are popping up everywhere in darker shades of gray that give them such a robust, elegant appeal. Dark gray is perfect if you want to combine it with other lighter colors to create dimension. It works with almost any color of door, trim, and deck. A natural wooden porch with dark gray siding is absolutely gorgeous.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Tarragon

Black

If dark gray just isn’t dark enough for you, consider choosing black siding or black accents to really give dimension to your home’s exterior. Thinking of painting your red bricks on your house? Why not try black? Black brick is so timeless and won’t wear and get dirty like a white brick wall. And it can work with your pale blue siding, dark blue siding, and even beige. Black accents are one of the hottest trends we’ve seen in the last few years, and it isn’t going anywhere.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Tricorn Black

High Contrast

We’ve subtly mentioned combining dark colors with light trim in the above trending colors, but it’s legitimately one of our favorite ways to modernize a home. Some great examples of high-contrast colors include dark blue siding with white trim, black siding with a light wood board-and-batten accent, or even a bright red door on your beige house.

Stark contrasts make your home’s exterior stand out in the best way possible. You can boost curb appeal, transform your home from outdated to modern in a flash, and make your neighbors jealous with your bold choices that they can’t commit to.

Suggested Sherwin Williams Paint Color: Tanager

Getting the Most Out of Your New Siding

Whether you are redesigning your home’s exterior because it’s outdated, it was damaged in a storm, or you just want to boost your curb appeal before you sell: have fun with it. From bold statements to safe neutral colors, changing your home’s exterior can drastically change how you feel inside your home. With some bold choices like black and dark blue, the entire mood of your home can change for the better. It will feel like you got a brand new home, although you just revamped what already was there.

Once you have your home siding choices locked in, now it’s time to choose a contractor to install it! While picking your house siding options might have seemed like an important decision, choosing a contractor is arguably more important. The reason for this is that the installation will determine the longevity and effectiveness of your siding. This is why we always encourage homeowners to do plenty of research to ensure they are picking a quality contractor to trust with their home.

If you are looking for a quality contractor in the Twin Cities, MN, make sure to give us a call at Northface Construction! Not only will our team of experienced professionals get the job done right, but we will provide you with a solution that will last for years to come. Contact us today to learn more!