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Choosing the best type of siding to install on your house is a major decision, and it is often difficult. There are many different options to choose from, and it is important to consider all of these options. When choosing exterior wall panels for your home, you should prioritize durability, aesthetic value, cost, and required maintenance. Each type of siding has its own advantages and disadvantages in these aspects.

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices in the United States. It is a form of plastic siding, which often appears on small houses or apartment buildings that need weather protection (especially in areas with heavy rainfall and storms). It can come in a variety of colors, making it a beautiful exterior choice.

Vinyl is a relatively low-cost siding option. For a typical single-family home of approximately 2,000 square feet, the installation cost is between US$6,150 and US$15,900.

Because it is made of polyvinyl chloride or PVC, vinyl siding is basically fire-resistant. PVC will not ignite unless it reaches extremely high temperatures, about 750 degrees Fahrenheit. PVC also needs a lot of oxygen to continue burning. This means that the fire is harder to ignite from the beginning and harder to continue burning.

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Wood is one of the oldest exterior wall panel choices. It is very versatile because it can be dyed or painted to achieve the effect you want. In addition, it has a variety of different arrangements, such as shingles and vertical boards, which can help homeowners get any desired appearance. According to the arrangement, the cost of wood siding ranges from US$7,000 to US$23,000.

Although wood siding tends to look impressive, it has the risk of causing house fires. Wood is a combustible material, which means it will burn at high temperatures. The wooden siding will be ignited, causing flames to spread to the walls and into the home. Over time, wooden siding also needs continuous maintenance and repainting. Painting professionals recommend changing to a new coat every three to four years. If the wood siding is regularly maintained, it can last for 20 to 40 years and then needs to be completely replaced.

Tip: Wood is a combustible material, which means that if exposed to high temperatures, it will burn quickly. One option that the homeowner must solve is to add flame retardant chemicals to the siding, which is an additional cost.

Many homeowners only regard metal as a roofing material, but metal is also becoming more and more popular as an exterior wall panel material. It is strong, relatively easy to install, and comes in many types, such as aluminum and steel. After the metal siding is installed, almost no maintenance is required.

The metal siding is durable and can withstand severe weather conditions such as snow and extreme temperatures. Unlike wooden siding, metal siding will not warp, rot or be susceptible to pests. The disadvantage is that the metal has poor insulation and no sound insulation. If you live in an area with extreme climates and you are sensitive to outside noise, metal may not be the best choice for siding.

Durable and strong fiber cement siding is an excellent exterior siding choice for those looking for a product that will last at least 30 years. Fiber cement siding is particularly suitable for homeowners living in harsh weather because it can withstand severe weather, including hail and strong winds.

Fiber cement siding is made of a mixture of wood pulp and cement. It maintains the durability of cement, but provides flexibility in aesthetics. Fiber cement siding can be made to look like various other siding materials, such as wood. The biggest obstacle to fiber cement siding is the high installation cost. This is because the installation process requires a lot of manpower and therefore a lot of labor time. You may need to hire a professional to install fiber cement siding, so please have your wallet ready.

Brick is a classic and timeless exterior wall panel material, which has been the standard in the construction industry for many years, mainly because of its durability. Brick siding does not need to be repainted regularly, unlike wood or vinyl siding that fades easily in the sun. Brick is a very low-maintenance option for exterior wall panels, which can last at least 100 years on average.

Compared to other exterior siding types, bricks also tend to increase the value of your home, so if you want to turn your home into an investment property, it may be a good choice. An Acme Brick report shows that the value of brick houses is approximately $4,000 more than houses with wood or fiber cement siding.

Although brick siding is superior to other siding materials in terms of appearance, life and strength, it does have one disadvantage: its cost. Bricks are one of the most expensive options on the market. For a 2,000-square-foot house, the cost of brick siding is between $8,900 and $25,000.

It also requires additional materials, such as waterproof membranes, to ensure its effectiveness. But in addition to these additional materials, brick is an all-natural and very environmentally friendly choice. Since bricks are derived from natural materials, their carbon footprint is relatively small. In addition, the bricks are recyclable and biodegradable.

There are many other materials for siding that need to be considered. These include:

Siding is not only an effective tool to beautify the house, but also an important safety function and an investment in the value of the house. Its durability and cost vary depending on the materials used, so when choosing siding for your home, be sure to keep the advantages and disadvantages of each material in mind. Please contact your local siding expert to determine which option is best for your budget and area.

Lauren is an accomplished freelance writer, covering a variety of topics, including home improvement, sustainability, etc. Her background in news reporting allows her to look at topics from all angles and break things down into easy-to-understand content that is useful to every reader. When she is not writing, you will find that Lauren is considering her next DIY project or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her puppy.

Samantha is an editor, covering all home-related topics, including home improvement and maintenance. She has edited home repair and design content on websites such as The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also hosted videos about DIY home tips and solutions, and launched a number of home improvement review committees equipped with licensed professionals.