Exploring 7 Popular Siding Styles for Your Home

Siding plays a starring role in this year’s architecture trends. It’s easy to understand why siding dominates the architectural space. It rejuvenates your aesthetic while adding important practical features like insulation and protection from the elements. Let’s explore the top eight siding styles for the coming year.

1. Horizontal siding

As you might have guessed, horizontal siding is built from horizontal panels, but that doesn’t tell the full story. The overlapping boards channel water away from the home, providing absolute weather protection. It offers timeless beauty that blends wonderfully with a huge array of architectural styles.

If you’ve chosen lap siding, the odds are fair that you’re looking for rain protection, so vinyl is a popular material.  If you prefer a more earthy aesthetic, cedar works well in horizontal designs. There are a few decorative variations to choose from. Half rounds and board and batten siding offer a rustic, charming look. If you prefer a trendy aesthetic, a wide clapboard profile should do the trick.

2. Vertical siding

Vertical cladding runs perpendicular to your foundation and is usually offered in flat panels. If you need more dimension, vertical board and batten products will add a cottage aesthetic. A vertical layout gives a contemporary edge to your home and helps water to run easily down your walls.

It’s often made from durable fiber cement, but vinyl is the most popular option for its pocket-friendly price and longevity. It’s easy to maintain and offers a level of weather-resistance that horizontal products can rarely match. It’s installed in locking J panels.

3. Shingle and shake siding

Shingle siding is built from overlapping rows of vinyl or hardwood. It’s a premium choice, but its sheer elegance and curb appeal make the price worthwhile. It’s sawn to achieve a clean edge, providing just the right level of ruggedness. Variations include:

• Staggered shingles for extra ruggedness and texture.
• Straight edge shingles for a more uniform aesthetic.
• Scalloped shingles for a decorative or Victorian look.

Given the price, you’ll want your shingles to last. You can extend their lifespan by cleaning your gutters regularly, performing an annual roof inspection, and making sure overhanging trees are always pruned.

4. Shake siding

Shake siding is similar to shingle siding, but it’s cut unevenly to achieve a more textured aesthetic. Shakes are split from a cedar block, so they tend to be thicker and more durable. If you want extra longevity, you can choose fiber cement, vinyl, or hardwood.

Shake siding became a trendy option in the late 1800s, but that doesn’t mean you have to settle for a classic aesthetic. You can add a contemporary flavor by using a two-color combination.

5. Board and batten siding

Board and batten siding is enjoying a wave of popularity right now. It offers a distinctive combination of vertical boards, broken by narrow strips over the seams. The extra battens add strength to your build while achieving a layered aesthetic.

This style is commonly associated with farmhouse architecture, but it’s equally suited to coastal and cottage homes. It requires a significant upfront investment, but its longevity brings long-term savings. It can be difficult to customize and maintain, but it can offer up to 40 years of protection.

6. Stucco siding

Stucco is a charming cement-based plaster that achieves a characteristic Spanish aesthetic. It’s the perfect option for contemporary homes and dry climates. It forms a breathable, insulating surface with exceptional water-shedding properties.

It’s highly resistant to rot and mold, so it contributes as much to your indoor air quality as it does your energy efficiency. It’s applied in three cured coats over a waterproof lath. The final coat offers several texture options, from refined sand and pebble finishes to decorative lace or swirl textures.

7. Fiber cement siding

Fiber cement offers exceptional longevity and cladding without demanding much maintenance. It’s made from tough cement and cellulose to achieve a robust, weather and fire-resistant covering. It can last half a century.

Just because it’s practical, doesn’t mean it’s unattractive, though. Fiber cement is available in everything from lap siding to shingles. It can be custom-painted with a matte, gloss, or satin finish. Better yet, it can be recoated.

Choosing the right siding style for your home

Every siding design blends uniquely with different architecture styles. A balance will generally provide better curb appeal. If your windows and roofing are minimalist, you can afford to risk a textured shingle or shake siding design.

Matching your siding to your architectural style is no easy task. In terms of palette, lighter neutral colors tend to outlast passing fads. A dark or bold hue will date quickly.

Your siding is your exterior’s most dominant decorative feature, but its protective role is even more important. For that reason, it’s best to select your siding based on the unique challenges of your climate. If your winters are frigidly cold, choose a highly insulating siding design and material. If your climate is humid, vinyl will serve you best.

If it’s rainy, choose horizontal or vertical panels. It’s also worth taking your maintenance needs into consideration. Not all homeowners are avid handymen, after all. If you don’t want to invest heavily in maintenance, there’s no shame in choosing an easy vinyl or fiber cement product.

Fiber cement performed best in the Value Report, offering more return on investment than any other product. New siding can have a revolutionary impact on your property value, so it’s worth taking seriously.