15 different types of siding designs & styles

With a myriad of trims, finishes, and accessories, siding will inspire you to get the home look you always wanted.

Let’s have a look at some of the most popular siding styles.

Horizontal siding

The most popular cladding for homes, horizontal siding offers a classic look with so many ways to customize through shadow lines, textures, and siding colors. Some of the horizontal siding options include dutch lap, traditional lap and beaded siding styles. You can choose from a wide selection of wood grain textures that look like real wood without any maintenance hassles.

Vertical siding

Vertical siding is very popular as a design feature or accent element. The vertical lines pattern can have a powerful effect and is a great choice for low porch walls, entryways, gables, and dormers. Choose from traditional vertical panels or a board and batten style that alternates narrow and wide vertical panels to recreate a classic look of historical homes. Just like horizontal siding, it comes in many different finishes, profiles, and dimensions.

Shakes and shingles

Vinyl shakes and shingles look like wood shakes, creating a rustic and warm appeal to your home’s exterior without the cost and high maintenance of real wood. They come in different styles, from straight edge shingles and half-round shingles to a rough-hewn style for a distressed rustic look. Vinyl shakes and shingles can be used as an accent on gables and dormers or the whole house.

Insulated siding

Siding that’s been fused with foam, or insulated vinyl siding, is one of the best investments for your home. With this siding, you get a moisture and air infiltration barrier and a thermal break that stops heat transmission — a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency. It also reduces noise pollution, ensuring your home is not only comfortable but also quiet. Insulated vinyl siding panels are easier to install straighter, so your walls look better, and they are also more impact resistant.

Combining different siding styles, you will get the most striking look and a show-stopper home exterior. 

Clapboard

Clapboard siding features long horizontal strips or boards that span exterior walls, punctuated by trim and windows. They are available in three siding styles:

1. Traditional- This siding is made of thin wooden boards and has been in use before vinyl became available. A small part of each board overlaps the one below it, creating an angled profile that helps rainwater shedding. It also allows for thermal contraction and expansion. Its vinyl counterpart truly replicates the traditional look.
2. Dutch lap- Dutch lap is the kind of clapboard siding that you’d see on Colonial houses. This siding has a beveled upper edge, making the overlapping areas look flatter and adding a hand-carved look and prominent shadowed edges. Installation is generally a bit more complicated than traditional clapboard siding and should be done by a trained contractor.
3. Beaded- This siding is usually seen in Southern Colonial homes. It includes the easily recognizable “beading” between the boards. A low gloss finish can really highlight the wood grain.

Board and batten

Board and batten is vertically installed siding with wide wooden boards. Narrow battens are placed to reinforce the seams. The vertical orientation provides an illusion of height and looks especially recognizable on gables. Vinyl board and batten siding are much less complicated to install than their traditional version.

Replica shakes

Modern technologies let manufacturers replicate natural materials such as wood. Vinyl replica shakes show the versatility of vinyl as a siding material. Quality vinyl replica shakes look just like real wood. 

Smooth siding

When people think about vinyl siding, smooth siding usually comes to mind. There is no texture on the siding surface. This is a great option for modern architecture because of the clean lines, and it is available in many colors.

Wood grain siding

Siding can also be produced with wood grain. It is available in both vertical and horizontal installation and looks like stained wood. However, it is more durable than wood, which absorbs moisture and rots easily.

Cedar shake

This traditional siding option was originally made by hand. They are unique and have a lot of texture. Vinyl siding that looks like cedar shingles offers the same look without the upkeep. You also have a wide choice of colors with this siding.

Straight edge shake siding

Straight edge siding is, as the name implies, the siding that displays straight shadow lines. Even when the planks are textured, the edges are even and straight. 

Half-round (scalloped)

These half-round shingles are sometimes called “fish scale” siding and create a picturesque look. They look especially nice in gables. The scallops have a historical look and look great with a low gloss finish. 

Log siding

You can get the same rustic look of log siding with vinyl. Log cabins require a lot of maintenance and can be expensive. However, you can choose vinyl log siding in lots of wood grain styles. This siding won’t splinter, and the colors won’t fade. Vinyl log siding also does not mold, and it does not yield to moisture or insects. It can withstand bad weather and hold its color. With this siding, you can have a log cabin look without the enormous expenses associated with the logs’ installation and materials.

Deep profile

If you like the clapboard style, you can look for a profile with a ¾” thickness on the broader side of the plank. This makes a stronger shadow line, and the planks look more like real wood. Also, the planks are more sturdy.

Double-hem nailing area

All siding has a mounting hem; this is the strip where screws or nails are used to attach it. A double-layer mounting hem will hold the siding more securely in high winds and can provide more stability.