Finding the right exterior for your home incorporates a few different factors. There is the personal style you want to bring to your house, longevity, and even utility associated with each of these options. If you’re building in a neighborhood, you may want to look at the other nearby homes to ensure your house isn’t going to stick out like a sore thumb. We’ll be breaking down the pros and cons of each material to make it easier for you to decide for yourself!
Brick Exterior
Pros
Brick siding is classic, long lasting and gives the home a sturdy look. Even brand new houses with a brick exterior look like they’ve been built to stand the test of time. Brick siding will also last for as long as the house will in most cases. This is a result of the durability of the material. It holds up against rough weather and temperatures fairly well.
Cons
Bricks are heavy and dense, so transporting them and installing brick siding can run a higher cost than most other sidings. In addition, you won’t get that long lasting toughness without a hefty price tag attached. Unless you’re ready to drop upwards of $15,000, this might not be the best option. And while the brick lasts, the mortar doesn’t, and maintaining it is hard work and will likely require a professional to come out and take care of it.
Modern Vinyl Siding
Pros
This kind of siding is great for standing up to normal weather conditions. It’s highly customizable, so texture and color can be almost whatever you want. Vinyl siding is durable, lightweight, and customizable, while also requiring low levels of maintenance. There are also insulated options available for a bit higher cost.
Cons
That insulated option is highly recommended as the standard styles are not incredibly energy efficient. As a fairly inexpensive material, this siding is also less durable when matched up against more extreme conditions like heavy wind or rain storms.
Stucco Siding
Pros
Stucco is cheaper than most other sidings, and durable enough to resist excessive chipping. Depending on the kind of stucco used, it is porous and can allow air and moisture to pass through it, preventing buildup inside of the wall’s surface.
Cons
Stucco is a cheaper material, but because of the way it needs to be applied, professional work is necessary. It also takes time to apply because it requires several coats and must be completely dry before installation is complete.
Wood Siding
Pros
Natural looking and warm, a wood sided house has as many options as there are kinds of tree. You can stain or paint your wood however you want, and it’s known to be pretty easy to install. If you’re looking for a rustic yet classy aesthetic, shingled wood siding is the way to go!
Cons
While you may be able to choose any wood you want, your region and climate might preclude you from choosing some options. Different woods require different levels of maintenance, and some are more hardy than others. Regularly restaining or painting is necessary to keep the exterior looking fresh.
Stone Veneer
Pros
Stone veneer offers all of the visual benefits of a stone exterior at a fraction of the cost. For a high-end and expensive look, you can’t go wrong with this fabricated stone. Made from mixtures of sand, Portland cement, and various pigments, it’s hard to see a difference between this and real stone. The variety of colors and shapes available create a point of visual interest for the home. In addition, the durability of this material is much like stone in that it will last a good long time.
Cons
This also requires professional installation and pouring. While it is cheaper than real stone, the installation cost and materials will run somewhere between $35 and $50 per square foot. This means that costs could run close to $100,000 depending on the size of the home.
Metal Sidings
Pros
This is a material that is making some strides in the home siding community. For a contemporary look that’ll stand out, corrugated metal siding definitely makes a statement. It also reflects heat, keeping your home cooler in summer months. Most metals are specifically chosen for exterior siding because of their longevity and resistance to wear and tear as well, so it’ll be good for a long time.
Cons
Because this kind of siding is typically reserved for commercial buildings, it can run a little bit more on the expensive side. One way to get around this is to go with a cheaper and lighter material like aluminum.
Fiber Cement
Pros
Another contemporary material that’s versatile and adjustable to your style is fiber cement panels. Mixed with Portland cement, fibrous material, and sand, these panels can take on the grain and styles of various other materials, and can be just about any color. You can go for a warm painted wood appearance or a smooth panel that gives a cool contemporary style. Additionally, it’s fireproof, water resistance, and resists most forms of animal damage.
Cons
It’s heavy. While most construction materials are also heavy, the size and weight tend to make installation pricey. However, it’s reasonable to take it as an up front cost that doesn’t require as much upkeep in the long run. On top of that, individual panels can be repaired and replaced without pulling the whole wall down.
Go With The Professional Touch
For your home, it goes without saying that you’re looking for the best of the best. This can be easily achieved by talking with a team of trained and experienced professionals. They can take a look at the kind of structure you’re working with and make recommendations accordingly. The experts at Eagle Construction and Remodeling know the best methods and techniques to choose and affix the perfect siding for you. Give us a call for a consultation today!
