Types of Vinyl Siding

Types of Vinyl Siding, what are the most popular types?  You would think there are hundreds of different types out there but in fact there are only a few. In fact, there are three basic types. 

Clapboard Vinyl Siding

Clapboard Siding is one of the most popular types of vinyl siding. Clapboard siding runs horizontally across your house from end to end. It looks like long boards of wooden planks running across the house.

Clapboard Siding Styles
Clapboard Style Siding
Clapboard Siding runs across the house horizontally.

Vinyl siding is manufactured to look just like wooden siding, so all the popular wood siding types and styles are represented in vinyl.  

When people talk about the 'type' of siding, especially clapboard siding, they are really speaking of the 'profile' of the siding, what the individual planks look like.  Do they look like long planks of wood running horizontally across the house or do they look like long planks of wood running vertically up and down the house?

Board and Batten Siding

Board and Batten Siding is one of the more popular types or styles of home siding. This type of siding runs up and down on the house or vertically. It has been a popular choice of home siding for centuries in both Europe and America.  Sometimes called 'barn siding' because it was so popular when used on barns all across the US.

Board and Batten SidingBoard and Batten Siding or Vertical Vinyl Siding
Board and Batten Style Siding Runs up and down on the house

Another very popular type of home siding is the Cedar Shake Siding. Used by homeowners for hundreds of years. 

Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding

Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding is siding the looks like real cedar wood shakes. Old style of siding that has been around for centuries. However, it is still one of the most popular styles or types of siding around. 

Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding Looks just like Cedar Shake Siding
Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding
Cedar Shake SidingCedar Shake Siding

Note from the Contractor:

Types of vinyl siding can be fundamentally broken into three categories or types. 

 Siding is generally thought of as long thin planks of wood nailed either horizontally or vertically onto the house.

Or it could be small 'shingles' or 'shakes' that are individually nailed onto the house.    


Find Prices and a Local Siding Professional Near You

Types of Vinyl Siding

What is 'builder grade siding?    Click here to find out more about Builder Grade Siding.

Basic Types of Siding:

People use several different types, styles, and colors of vinyl siding on their homes to create a special look. 

CertainTeed Vinyl Cedar Shakes

Here the owner has used several different types of vinyl siding on the house to create his taste. 'Horizontal' or 'clapboard' siding on the main house, with 'vinyl cedar shakes' on the top gable ends. 

White half-round shingles used for accent. Great look at half the cost or maintenance of real wood siding. And you never have to paint!  


Choosing the right look for your house is all about the creative use of the different siding options.  Homeowners often choose several distinct types, styles, colors, textures, and trim to create a distinct look.  

Look at each type and image what it would look like on your house.  

More Types of Vinyl Siding   

Within each Type of siding, there are usually several different Styles. 

Example: 'Clapboard' is a horizontal siding that runs across the house end to end, or horizontally. It comes in many different Styles such as, Dutch-Lap, beaded or smooth lap. And each of those come in many different textures, lengths, thickness, and prices.

Once you zero in on what you are wanting, your contractor will help you pick out the best ones that fit your house and budget. 


Beaded Clapboard

CertainTeed Beaded Vinyl Siding

Beaded Clapboard is a trendy style of horizontal siding. Each panel has a rounded grove or notch that runs along the bottom of each panel giving it a unique shadow line.

To see more information on beaded vinyl siding        Click Here    Beaded Vinyl Siding.



Board and Batten or Vertical Siding

Board and Batten Siding


Vertical siding is siding that runs up and down on the house.  This siding is called Board and Batten siding. 


Using distinctive styles together to get a unique look on your house. Lots of people combine two or more styles of siding on the same house. 

Vinyl Cedar Shake and Board and Batten
Clapboard and Board and Batten


Here Board and Batten Siding is used as an accent on the house with Clapboard siding.  It adds a very distinct look. 


Board and Batten on old barns

Board and Batten siding is sometimes called 'Barn Siding' because it was used on barns all across the U.S. for centuries. You can see it everywhere when you drive around the country.


Other Types of Vinyl Siding

Great use of stone and Cedar all used together

There is nothing that gives a home that warm rustic outdoor look like cedar shakes. Made to look just like real cedar wooden shakes.

Vinyl cedar shake looks like real wood but without the high maintenance and up-keep of wood.  

It will not rot, never needs painting and termites won't eat it.  Just wash it down once or twice a year with the garden hose and you will have that charming look for a lifetime.

Some premium brands of vinyl cedar shakes are wind tested to withstand hurricane force winds making it an excellent choice in areas where harsh weather is a concern.


To see more information and pictures of Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding...click here.  


To see more pictures of homes using different vinyl sidings visit our pictures page...Pictures of Homes Using Vinyl Siding.


Many different types and styles to choose from

Insulated Vinyl Siding

Insulated vinyl siding is one of the most energy saving types of vinyl siding because it will save you money on your energy costs for years.

Lowering energy costs has become a big deal now.

Most people use insulated siding when it fits the budget or attach foam insulation directly to the exterior walls to help cut energy cost.  


Thermal pic showing heat loss through walls
After installing insulated siding
Insulated Vinyl Siding
Regular Vinyl Siding with no insulation
Insulated Vinyl Siding


Most Premium grades of vinyl siding comes in insulated versions. These sidings have foam insulation factory applied to the back side of each piece of siding.  

This foam insulation greatly increases the "R" value of the exterior walls and helps cut energy costs over the years. Insulated siding costs a little more than regular siding but will make up the difference in the energy savings over the years.

Insulated vinyl siding is also more rigid than regular siding and looks better. 

To see more information on Insulated Vinyl Siding click here:  Insulated Vinyl Siding

To see more information on all types of vinyl siding and how it can be used to increase the value of your home,  Click Here to Go To  Vinyl Siding Institute


Don't Forget the Trim

Great looking Trim

Note from the contractor:  

You can cover all the exterior trim, so you never have to climb up a ladder and paint again.  


Vinyl is strong, inexpensive, will not rot, never needs painting and is easy to clean with a garden hose. 

Idea
Mr.Contractor Says

Like one of these products?

If you like any of these products gather some information on the type of siding you like and write it down so you can go over the information with your contractor.

Make a notebook to store information on each product you like.

If you think you might like one of these siding styles, make notes in your workbook and go over them with your contractor. 

Once you have picked out several types, styles, colors, thickness, and textures, sit down and ask your contractor for his input.  He does this type of work all the time and may offer you some money-saving tips.


To see more information on the different 'Styles' and types of vinyl siding click here...Vinyl Siding Styles.


Vinyl Log Siding

Vinyl log siding is a product that looks exactly like a log cabin without the cost and high maintenance of real wood. 


Vinyl Log Siding
Vinyl Log Siding

Vinyl log siding takes the homeowner back to colonial days with a modern twist. Less cost and maintenance. 

Vinyl Log siding offers the homeowner all the rustic outdoor looks of a real log home without the cost or high maintenance of real log homes.

Never needs painting and termites won't eat it! 

Click here for more information on Vinyl Log Siding.   


There are other types of home siding other than vinyl. Vinyl is the largest selling home siding but there are many other types of siding.

 Types of Siding


Other Types of Home Siding That Looks Like Wood:



Hardie Board
Engineered Wood Siding
Fiber Cement Board
Cement Board Siding


A Little Siding History


The first colonist cut down trees and made log cabins to live in.  


Soon they began to cut down a tree and saw it into many long narrow boards. They used the boards as a siding to cover their houses.

This 'siding' kept the harsh winter winds from blowing between the cracks of the logs. This was a major milestone in building homes.   

More about the History of Siding click here.