Vinyl siding material is the most common type.
It’s tough, affordable, and comes in a bunch of different colors and styles.
Vinyl is also durable and easy to clean.
However, cheap vinyl siding damages easily, fades badly, and it can be hard to repair just a single piece.
Wood siding comes at a high cost and even higher maintenance requirements.
However, it is offered in a variety of species, styles, sizes, shapes, and grades.
Wood is easy to repair and is easy to install.
With regular maintenance, wood can last as long as vinyl products.
Clear finishes should be reapplied about every two years.
Semi-transparent stains about every three to four years.
Paints on average, every five to seven years.
This kind of maintenance adds up, so if you decide to use wood, expect long term costs to come with it.
Fiber cement siding is durable, with a medium amount of maintenance required.
It is a product made from a mixture of wood pulp, cement, clay, and sand.
It can be molded to mimic wood clapboard, singles, or large flat panels.
Fiber cement siding does a great job at keeping out the elements and is not prone to rot or decay.
However, the material is a lot more expensive than vinyl siding and has to be repainted periodically.
Metal siding is usually associated with modern or contemporary style homes and residential buildings.
The most common types are aluminum and steel.
Metal can’t mold or rot, it is very low maintenance, and is fire resistant.
However, metal is expensive to buy and install.
Metal can rust if not properly sealed and finished, and aluminum is prone to dents and fading.