Your house siding is what gives your house curb appeal.

Types of House Siding

A Quick, Contractor-Built Guide on Most Popular Types of house siding, including Cost, Durability, and Weather Protection.

Common Types of House Siding

Tap a siding type below to compare.

Quick Compare House Siding

A quick, contractor-built guide to Cost. Durability, and weather protection.

Vinyl Siding:

Lowest Cost
Low Maintenance
Great for Humidity

Hardie Board (Fiber Cement)

Storm Strong
Fire Resistant
Long Lifespan

Engineered Wood

Wood look • Stronger than wood • Lower upkeep

Real Wood Siding

Classic beauty • Highest maintenance

Cedar Shake

Premium look • High upkeep

Vinyl Log Siding

Log cabin look • Low maintenance

Choose House Siding by Climate

Your siding is what protects your house; always consider the weather.

Compare Wind, Rain, Snow, and Sun:

High Winds / Hurricanes

Vinyl • Hardie • Engineered Wood

High Humidity

Vinyl • Fiber Cement

Freezing / Fiber Cement • Engineered Wood

High UV / Vinyl • Fiber Cement

Choose House Siding by Budget

Lowest Cost:

Vinyl Siding — budget-friendly, low maintenance.

Mid-Range:

Engineered Wood — wood look without the upkeep.

Premium

Hardie Board — strongest, best long-term value.

Highest Cost:

Real Wood & Cedar Shake — premium appearance, highest maintenance.

Pro Tip: Before calling contractors, decide your material, style, and color. This avoids upsells and gets you cleaner quotes.

Link List - "Learn More"

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl Siding

Lowest cost • Low maintenance • Great for humidity

Click here to review more information on Vinyl House Siding.

Hardie Board Siding

Hardie Board (Fiber Cement)

Storm-strong • Fire resistant • Long lifespan → Compare Hardie Board

Click Here to see more detailed information on Hardie Hoard Siding.

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered Wood

Wood look • Stronger than wood • Lower upkeep

Click Here to Review more detailed information on Engineered Wood Siding

Wood Siding

Wood Siding

Classic beauty • Highest maintenance

Click Here to See More Information on Wood Siding

Cedar Shake

Premium look • High upkeep

Click Here to see more information on Cedar Shake Siding

Vinyl Log Siding

Log cabin look • Low maintenance

Click Here to see more information on Vinyl Log Siding.

Choose Your Type of House Siding

Each style or profile can be manufactured in wood, vinyl, engineered wood, or fiber cement (Hardie Board).

House siding comes in many styles, or profiles.

Contractor Tip:

Click on any subject to explore deeper into the products, such as colors, costs, materials, and reviews.

Your Home, Your Style.

Quick Guide: Choosing the Right Siding

Types of House Siding

Here are the most popular types of house siding. Review each and click on their links to see more information on cost, color, weather considerations, and reviews.

Vinyl Siding for Houses

Lowest cost • Low maintenance • Great for humidity

Vinyl Siding is the #1 selling type of home siding material in the U.S.

Vinyl outsells all other siding materials put together!

Why?

Easy to Install -
Can be installed on almost any house -
Makes your old house look brand NEW!
Maintenance free, just hose it down a few times a year-looks brand new.
Half the cost of real wood -
Comes in many COLORS -
Insect Proof - No Termite Damage
Can Withstand Hurricane Winds -
Very Affordable -
Never Needs Painting!!
Modern vinyl siding can withstand 110 - 160 mph winds
Insulated versions reduce heat loss through studs
Color runs through the material so scratches barely show

Comes in many 'styles', shapes and colors.

Comes in economy, contractor, and premium grades,

with or without factory applied insulation.

Comes in Many Different Styles and even Insulated.

Clapboard Vinyl Siding Styles or Profiles. Each come in various thicknesses, quality, and prices.

Insulated vinyl siding has factory-applied foam attached to the back of the panels, helping reduce your energy costs.

Why choose insulated vinyl siding. Click Here

Pros and Cons of Vinyl Siding

Cost: Most affordable; lowest installed price.
Lowest maintenance: no painting, rise with garden hose.
Durability: Resists rot, insects, and moisture.
Weather; Handles heavy rain, snow, and high winds.
Why homeowners choose it; Budget-friendly, long-lasting, and available in many colors and styles.
Styles: Clapboard, Dutch Lap, board & Batten, cedar shake, and insulated options.

To see more information on Vinyl Siding, Costs, Colors and Styles, Click Here.

Hardie Board Siding

One of the most popular types of house siding, especially in harsh weather areas.

High Durability - Premium Appearance - Strong Return on Investment

Storm-strong, Fire Resistant, Long Lifespan

James Hardie-Hardie Plank, sometimes called Hardie Board Siding. Also called fiber-cement siding.

Fire-resistant by design, invented as a safer wood alternative
Handles Florida wind and debris like a champ
Mimics wood, stucco, or masonry with scary accuracy

The industry leader and the name most homeowners know. Huge style selections, baked-on colors, and unmatched brand trust. One of the most trusted types of house siding.

Fiber-Cement Siding; Strong, Stylish, and built to last. One of the toughest siding materials you can put on a home.

Hardie Board Fiber Cement siding gives you the look of real wood with the durability of cement. It stands up to fire, moisture, insects and extreme weather, and it holds paint better than most materials.

Homeowners choose it for its long lifespan, low maintenance and high resale value.

Hardie Board Siding

Hardie Board Siding is the world leader in fiber cement siding and backer board. They've been providing alternatives to natural wood siding for over a hundred years.

Classic look and more durable than wood.

Why Use Hardie Board Siding?

James Hardie Board Siding products grace the side of more than 8 million homes across the US. For one big reason,

Beauty, and durability.

Hardie Board Siding

Hardie Board Siding

Contractor Tip:

91% of builders agree fiber cement siding increases a home's appraisal value. Re-siding your house with fiber cement siding provides the #1 return on investment of any major exterior remodeling projects, making it a better investment for your home. *

*Remodeling magazine 2020 cost vs value report, national data for exterior home replacement projects over $10,000

To see more information on the many James Hardie Board Siding products,

Click Here. Hardie Board Siding

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered Wood Siding:

Zinc-borate treated. Built to resist rot, mold, and insects
Wood look
Stronger than wood
Lower upkeep
Wind-rated up to 200 mph
Factory finishes last 15 - 30 years before repainting.

Best for homeowners who want the warmth of wood without the headaches and maintenance.

Engineered Wood Siding Looks like wood without the high maintenance of real wood.

Engineered wood siding is less expensive than real wood siding, less maintenance than real wood, and looks exactly like wood. It resists insects, mold, and rot. It comes in all the popular styles such as Board and Batten, and Clapboard.

LP Smartside Engineered Wood Siding

Pros and Cons of Engineered Wood Siding

Looks like real wood siding
Cost; less than real wood.
Durability; Resists insects, mold, and moisture.
Weather; Performs well in high wind and rain.
Sun/UV: Holds paint and finishes well.
Maintenance; Lower than real wood.
Why homeowners choose it, Warm wood appearance without constant maintenance.

To see more information on Engineered Wood Siding, Click Here.

Real Wood Siding

Classic Beauty - Highest Maintenance - Premium Curb Appeal

Real Wood Siding is Classic. Natural look with unmatched beauty.Shown here in Lap style, or clapboard.

Real wood siding, classic beauty, and the highest maintenance.

Real wood siding is best for homeowners who want unmatched natural beauty.

One of the most expensive options
Durability: Depends on upkeep and climate
Weather Resistance: Depends on species, vulnerable to moisture without regular upkeep
Maintenance: Regular painting or staining required.
Styles: Shake, shingle, clapboard, vertical boards
Why Homeowners Choose It: Natural beauty and timeless curb appeal.

Here are some other common options of house siding. One of the most popular is Cedar Shake Siding.

Cedar Shake Siding

High-end look - Not ideal for Humidity - Needs Regular Care.

Cedar Shake in straight style. Classic look.

Cedar Wood Shingles

Premium natural appearance
Excellent insulation value
Performs well in moderate climates
Requires regular stainiing or sealing
Vulnerable to moisture, rot, and insects with upkeep
Higher long-term maintenance cost,
Why Homeowners Choose it: Warm, timeless curb-appeal-especially for coastal, cottage, and craftsman-style homes.

Real cedar wood shingles

Cost: High
Durability: Good with upkeep
Weather Performance: Performs well in moderate climates.
Maintenance: High, needs regular sealing
Best For: Premium, coastal, or craftsman-style homes.
Not ideal for high-humidity or termite-heavy areas.

To see more information on Cedar Shake Siding Click Here

Cedar Shake Siding vs. Engineered Wood Siding

Cedar Shake vs. Engineered Wood: What Homeowners Need to Know.

Appearance and Style

Cedar Shingles: Warm, natural, premium wood character with rich texture and depth. Ages to a silver-gray patina unless sealed.
Engineered Wood Siding: Designed to mimic real wood grain with consistent color and texture. More uniform and modern.

Durability, and Weather Performance

Cedar Shingles: Good durability when properly maintained. Performs best in moderate climates. Can struggle in high humidity or termite -heavy regions.
Engineered Wood: Very good durability. Built to resist moisture, swelling, and impact. Performs well in wind and rain, including high winds such as hurricanes.

Moisture, Rot and Insects

Cedar Shingles: Naturally resistant but still vulnerable without regular sealing. Moisture and insects are long-term threats in humid climates.
Engineered Wood: Factory-treated to resist rot, mold, and insects. : More stable in wet or coastal environments.

Maintenance Requirements

Cedar Shake: High maintenance. Needs staining or sealing every few years. Repairs are more frequent.
Engineered Wood: Moderate maintenance. Factory finishes last longer, repainting cycles are wider.

Cost and Lifetime Value

Cedar Shingles: Higher upfront cost and higher lifetime maintenance cost. It is chosen for beauty, not savings.
Engineered Wood: Medium cost with lower lifetime upkeep. Strong value for homeowners wanting a wood look without wood headaches.

Best Fit

Cedar Shingles: Homeowners prioritizing natural beauty, coastal or craftman styole, and are willing to maintain it.
Engineered Wood: Homeowners wanting the wood aesthetic with better durability, lower upkeep, and stronger perforamance in varied climates.

Vinyl Log Siding

Log cabin look - Low maintenance - Budget-friendly

Vinyl Log Style siding allows the homeowner to have the rugged outdoor look of a log home without all the cost, up-keep and maintenance of real wooden logs.

The beauty of wood logs without the maintenance headache of real wood. Vinyl log siding.

Kaycan log siding has natural charm and warm beauty without the high maintenance and cost of real wood logs.

For more information on Vinyl Log Siding Click Here

To see more information on Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding Click Here

Contractor Tip

efore calling contractors, decide your material, style, and color. This avoids upsells and gets you cleaner quotes.

Weather and Climate Considerations

Pick siding that matches your weather.

When choosing siding, think about what your house faces:

High winds and Hurricanes; Vinyl, Hardie Board, fiber cement, and engineered wood all perform very well.
Heavy Rain and Humidity: Fiber cement and vinyl resists moisture best.
Snow and freeze/thaw: Fiber cement and engineered wood are best.
High Sun/UV: Vinyl and fiber cement maintain color longest.
Rot and Mildew: Vinyl, fiber cement, and engineered wood are best.

Choose by Budget

Fast cost expectations.

Lowest cost: Vinyl
Mid-range: Engineered Wood
Premium: Hardie Board
Highest: Real Wood / Cedar Shake

Guide to Siding Types 101

Use this site to compare and research many different siding products. Make notes on the products that you like, and think would look good on your home.

Use these notes to talk to your contractor to make sure you get the absolute best siding for your home.

Installing siding should always be done by a professional. Professionals can do it better than the homeowner because they do it all the time!

Always use a licensed contractor to install your vinyl siding!!

Other Topics of Interest

Don't forget about your trim.

Don't forget about your trim. You should replace trim around windows and doors if needed. Also, the soffit and facia when rotted or weathered.

Don't forget your trim! Adding vinyl trim to your windows and doors help make your home maintenance go away.

Cover everything so you never have to paint again!

For more information on Trim - Click Here

Good articles for homeowner's DIY Articles

How to clean vinyl siding

How to Buy Siding...The Easy Way?

Mr Contractor says

This site is designed by some old home improvement contractors. Every day we work with homeowners who what to install siding on their houses but have no idea how to get started. We will show you how to get started and what to do first, second and so on.

Our goal is to guide you along and show you how to work with your contractor to ensure that you choose the best siding products for your house and get the very best price possible.

Homeowners need to have done some basic homework and have several basic facts about siding they have chosen to go on their house... before calling any contractors, otherwise you will not know the proper questions to ask the contractor. If you don't know exactly what to ask for, you won't get it!

We will show you how to gather important that will allow you to pick the best siding for your house and how to work with your contractor to get the very best price possible.

Click here for more information on How to Buy Siding

Comparing Different Home Sidings

Save time and money by doing a little homework before calling contractors for price quotes:

Pick out the type of siding you think will look good on your house; vertical, horizontal or shakes (most people mix and match several distinct types to use on their homes).
Choose the style; colors, profiles, texture, and thickness that you like.
Compare prices, see what other people are paying for comparable products in your area.
Then call several contractors and have them give you prices based on the products you have already picked out. Now you can easily compare different quotes apples 2 apples.
This will save you a lot of time and money!

Click here for more information

When people say Style, they are usually referring to one of the three main 'styles' of siding, horizontal, vertical or shakes. Of course, each of these styles comes in many different and diverse selections. Each has its own profiles, textures, thickness, and colors.

Each type of siding has different 'Profiles' that are characteristic to that type of siding. Clapboard, dutch lap, beaded, cedar shake, board and batten all come in different widths.

Profiles are how wide each board or panel is and whether it has a notch or shadow groove. There are wide boards and there are are very narrow boards. Generally, each panel will run approximately 3" to 10" in width.

In addition to the profile, there are different 'textures' of the boards or panels. Since vinyl siding is made to look like real wood, and real wood has a texture that ranges from exceptionally smooth like sanded boards, to a deep grain that looks like real cedar wood.

To see more about the different Siding Styles, click here.

Comparing Prices

Comparing prices can be done once you have chosen the type, style, amount needed, insulated or non-insulated, thickness, color and so forth. Follow this site and we will guide you through the process.

You need to shop around and compare some prices from the local home improvement stores like Home Depot and Lowe's. Otherwise you will have no idea if the price the contractor quotes you is a fair price or not.

What goes into the quote?

What goes into the quote when the contractor gives you a price to install the siding on your home?

How much does it really cost to install new siding on your house?

Total cost is made up of several different pricing components.

How much siding (sq ft) you will need, and the quality of the siding you choose. Quality + Quantity.
What the contractor charges to install the siding.
How much labor will it take to make your house ready to have the siding installed.

Every house is different so the amount of siding needed will vary house to house and so will the amount of work the contractor has to do to make your house ready for the siding to be installed.

Do you have old siding that needs to be removed?
Do you have rotted wood that needs to be repaired or replaced?
Do you have termite damage that needs to be repaired?
Do you need new soffit or facia?
Do you want new gutters?

There are many different items that goes into the final 'cost' of your new siding installation.

For more information Click Here