What Is Siding?

Siding is a protective material found on exterior walls of a building or home. It is used as a layer of protection against outside elements. There are many different types of siding used today, including metal, cement, vinyl, steel and wood.

Siding Types

Commonly used siding types today include the following:

Vinyl Siding

This siding material is made out of plastic, yet it looks a lot like wood, batten, board or even shakes. It is more durable than most other siding materials and it is also less expensive. Vinyl siding will offer very few maintenance needs and can help cut down on heating and cooling utility costs over time.

Solid Stone Siding

Solid stone is an extremely popular choice when it comes to exterior surfacing projects. This type of siding has been used for hundreds of years, and offers authentic appearance and incredible durability. There are a few drawbacks to stone siding, though. For example, this is heavier than most alternatives, meaning it will be more labor intensive for installers.

Manufactured solid stone is made with cement, then placed in molds and set. The finished product will look very similar to natural stone patterns. This siding is installed the same way as real solid stone; on a stone by stone basis.

Wood Siding

This is one of the most popular types of siding used today. It can be stained or painted any color the home or business owner wishes. Here are two of the most common types of wood siding:

Wooden Sheet Siding

Also known as plywood siding, this is mostly used for inexpensive buildings. Some installers may even use grooves to make it appear like shiplap siding.

Shingle Wood Siding

Shingles and cedar shake siding can often add a touch of beauty that will make your home or business stand out. Due to the amount of labor, though, this is one of the more expensive siding options today.

Stone Veneer Siding

Stone veneer is a decorative and protective cosmetic layer applied to vertical surfaces or walls. Normally an inch in thickness, the veneer has to be less than 73kgs/m² or 15lbs/ft² in weight so that additional structural modifications are not required to support it. Both natural as well as manufactured stone can be used to make the veneer. As the name suggests, natural stone veneer comprises of real stone that is quarried or collected. The stone is then cut to be of regular thickness and weight so that it can be used as a veneer. This type of thin stone veneer was introduced by Gernot Ehrlich.

Metal Siding

Metal siding can be offered in a variety of metals, styles and colors. The most popular style of metal siding is aluminum. Steel siding has become a favorite of homeowners lately due to its lack of maintenance needs.

Plastic Siding

Also known as vinyl siding, plastic siding is becoming more popular after undergoing endless updates. New types of vinyl reduce the likelihood of cracking, buckling or fading.

Masonry Siding

This type of siding can last an astounding 100 years and requires little maintenance.

Composite Siding

One of the biggest benefits of composite is it is able to look like any other siding material. For example, Arizona homeowners may want wood siding, but due to the sun exposure, they will choose composite siding that will look like wood.

Polyurethane-Based Foam Panel Stone Siding

If you are looking for a lightweight alternative to real stone, this siding is your best bet. The siding is created by using polyurethane which has been densely rendered. Designed to appear just like stone siding, it is installed by using panels instead of stone by stone. This makes the stone-like siding a straight-forward and seamless installation process. Advances in technology continue to make this siding appear more and more like real stone siding.

Manufactured Stone Siding

Manufactured stone is rapidly becoming the top choice for many home design or redesign projects. It is much lighter in weight, meaning that it’s a lot easier to install. When installing manufactured stone there is no need for footings or fasteners, saving time, and most important of all money. Because it is manufactured, the stone creates less waste than stone cut from a quarry.

Insulated Siding

This newer type of siding has emerged as a better version of vinyl.  It uses spray foam between the exterior and siding of the building to fill in any gaps. This helps to reduce energy consumption and can last nearly 50 years.

How Much Does Siding Cost?

Typically, siding will cost $9,981, according to HomeAdvisor. Costs will range from $5,669-$14,298.