Siding Options for Your Unique Property

Do you ever find yourself driving around the neighborhood admiring the exterior of houses? Whether its stonework, wood shingles, vertical or horizontal boards, or modern composite materials, the exterior of a building is more often than not how we initially judge an architectural structure's beauty. Because of this natural instinct, it is easy to forget how important the siding of a building is to its structural integrity. But, after all, if the outside of a house can't hold up against the natural world, how is the interior of a building supposed to? Obviously the answer is that it probably can't either. Moreover, given the fact that a person's house and property are usually their most valuable assets, it is always important to maintain and, whenever possible, increase their property's value to keep pace with a growing and competitive market. That's why siding is important not only for aesthetic purposes, but also for protecting against the general and inevitable wear-and-tear that a house endures over the years.

In the U.S., wood is the most common material used on the outside of houses for its good looks and relative affordability. Cedar is what you will come across the most, but redwood and plywood (on more inexpensive buildings) are also reliable materials to protect the exterior of the structure. Wood shingles, or "shakes" as they are occasionally called, are also often used to roof houses. Originally popularized in colonial New England, then later again in the nineteenth century, wood shingles are used on Victorian-style houses and are an attractive exterior that can be painted and stained or just left with a protective coat, which results in a more rustic and country look.

However, if wood siding is not an option, it can be imitated and replaced with vinyl, which is manufactured for the most part from polyvinyl chloride—hence the name. Vinyl has recently become an increasingly popular alternative to wood for its affordability, low maintenance, and proven effectiveness against bad weather. Other benefits include its easy installation and variety of color options. There are also now imitation forms of both brick and stone, which thanks to improved design, are almost identical to the authentic materials unless carefully inspected from up close.

Of course, if you want the real thing, masonry siding—either brick or stone—is another popular exterior and exceptionally durable: you can count on up to one hundred years out of mason-work, and with little to no maintenance at all. Plus, if you don't want to have to worry about being overwhelmed with color choices, masonry is an easy shortcut to avoid that dilemma. Stone in particular is both good looking and provides a building with a natural and organic aesthetic. And what is more American than good old-fashioned brick? It's one of the most recognizable and reliable materials in contemporary American architecture.