Siding problems usually can be fixed by making spot repairs—such as replacing a rotted clapboard or cutting out a cracked piece of vinyl siding. But when it comes to residing the house thoroughly, you’ll have to decide whether to use vinyl, aluminum, wood, masonry veneer, or fiber-cement siding. Every material has its proponents, but it’s important to remember that the siding you finally pick will change the look of your home for years to come and may require alterations in trim details that can loom as large as the re-siding job itself. Many people think vinyl siding looks synthetic, even when embossed with a simulated wood grain. But vinyl is usually the least expensive option because it is easy to install. Aluminum siding tends to look more like painted wood clapboards, but the patter of rainfall takes on a metallic tone, and a wayward baseball can leave a dent—a repair you should need to make on cars but not houses.
MATERIALS
WOOD SHINGLES AND SHAKES
Siding in these small sections is easy because the joints don’t fit tightly like cabinetwork, and the layout does not have to be precise. The main drawback is that the installation is labor-intensive, which can drive up a contractor’s price. But repair is easy— split damaged shingles into small pieces for removal and weave replacement shakes into the wall so there is no noticeable line around the restoration.
WOOD BOARDS
Solid wood siding can be installed vertically, horizontally, and even at an angle. Cost ranges from moderate to very expensive, depending on the wood species you use. Although wood siding will need periodic restaining or repainting, it isn’t easy to match its natural beauty. Stagger joints by at least one stud course to course and when you make repairs. Cut out a damaged section between studs, and conceal the new piece with paint or stain.
PANELS
Panel siding can be made from hardboard or plywood. It’s usually less expensive than other types of siding and easy to install (at least on the first floor) because each sheet covers so much area. Some panels are made to resemble materials ranging from shingles to stucco. In contrast, others are available in various finishes, including smooth surfaced, rough-sawn, and grooves every 4 or 8 to resemble planks.
ALUMINUM
Aluminum siding is moderately expensive and somewhat challenging to install. It is a lot stiffer than vinyl, the number-one choice today, but any scratches that expose base metal through the finish are noticeable. Metal also dents a problem that generally requires replacement instead of repair. But from a distance, aluminum looks more like painted wood clapboards than many vinyl products, and unlike wood, it does not need repainting every few years.
