About Us-Contractors Guide to House Siding

All About Siding is built by experienced home improvement contractors to help homeowners choose siding with confidence and knowledge. This page is a quick, mobile-friendly starting point—tap any link to see costs, pros/cons, durability, and weather considerations.

Contractor tip: (how to use this guide)

Pick the look you like first. Style/profile
Then, match the Type or material to your climate and budget.

Our goal is to present enough basic information to choose a house siding that meets your needs and expectations.

Homeowners should be well-informed about the products they are considering purchasing, in this case home siding. This ensures they do not buy a product that lacks the attributes of superior and often more cost-effective alternatives. Having more comprehensive information allows for a more productive discussion with an experienced home improvement contractor. Together, you can make informed decisions that lead to a considerably better experience and avoid many of the problems that some homeowners experience because the end job is less that what was expected when they first started the project. More information always provides a better outcome.

Choosing new house siding involves weighing factors like durability, maintenance, aesthetics, cost, and climate considerations.

Styles of House Siding

The most common styles of house sidings. It comes in various textures, widths, colors, and lengths. Pick the style you like and then choose the material that fits your climate and budget.

The style of the siding may be vertical or horizontal or even Shake or Shingles. Look at the several different looks/styles of the siding and choose one that looks best on your house.

Types of House Siding

Here are the most common house sidings.

Vinyl Siding
Hardie Board Siding
Engineered Wood Siding
Cement Board Siding
Wood Siding

Vinyl Siding for Houses

Modern vinyl siding can withstand 110 - 160 mph winds

Insulated versions reduce heat loss through studs
Color runs through the material-scratches barely show

Vinyl siding is made to look like real wood siding. It is low maintenance and never needs painting.

Vinyl siding is the number 1 selling home siding in the US.

Budget-friendly
Low maintenance
Comes in many different colors
Never needs painting

Click here for more detailed information on Vinyl Siding.

Hardie Board Siding

Hardie Board Siding looks like wood but is more durable.

James Hardie or Hardie Plank Siding or sometimes just called Hardie Board Siding. It is a Fiber-Cement Siding and is an industry leader.

One of the toughest siding materials on the market.
Gives you the look of real wood with the durability of cement.
Long life span
High resale value

To see more information on Hardie Board Siding Click Here

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber Cement Siding: The "Goldilocks" Material.

Fiber cement was invented int he early 1900s as a fire-resistant alternative to wood, but it didn't take off until the 1980s when manufacturers perfected the formula.
It is one of the few siding materials that can mimic wood, stucco, or masonry convincingly because of how the cellulose fibers interact with cement
Many insurance companies quietly favor fiber cement in coastal states because of its resistance to wind-borne debris.

Fiber cement siding is one of the few materials that can mimic wood, stucco, or masonry.

Handles Florida wind and debris like a champ. Mimics wood, stucco, or masonry with scary accuracy.

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered Wood Siding-real-wood look with less upkeep.

Engineered Wood Siding: Modern Science Meets Classic Wood Style.

Zinc-Borate Treated, built to resist rot, mold, and insects
Wind-Rated up to 200 mph
Factory finishes last 15 - 30 years before repainting

Engineered wood was originally developed to use more of each tree, turning wood fibers and strands into a stronger, more-consistent product. It's one of the most resource efficient siding materias on the market

Engineered Wood Siding looks like real wood siding with better duribility and lower upkeep.

Costs less than real wood siding
Resists insects, mold, and moisture
Lower maintenance than real wood
Stands up to high Sun/UV well.

To see more information on Engineered Wood Siding Click Here

Wood Siding

Wood Siding: Nature's Original Insulator.

Wood Siding is one of the oldest types of house siding. Classic natural beauty. Needs moderate maintenance.

Classic Beauty - Higher Maintenance

Classic curb appeal
Unmatched natural beauty
Higher Maintenance

To see more information on Wood Siding Click Here

All About Siding was designed by home improvement contractors to allow you the homeowner to do a little research on house siding and gather information on the many different types, styles, colors, prices and pro's and con's of each type of house siding before you actually call a contractor to give you a quote or price.

Contractor Tips

Pro Tips on Choosing House Siding

First choose the look you want (Style), Clapboard, Board and Batten, Shakes, or Shingles,
Then choose the Type of House Siding; Wood, Vinyl, Hardie Board, Engineered Wood, or concrete board
Measure your house, get the ball-park square footage, we'll show you how. Now you know how much siding you will need
Now you have chosen the style of house you like, and the material you want, and you know how much of it you are going to need.
Call any contractor and request a price quote, you have the basic info they will need to know. (ex. I need a ball-park price for installing approximately 2,500 sq ft of Hardie Board Siding for a two-story frame house).

Do A Little Homework

Doing a little homework before you go shopping will make the buying process smother and help avoid the headache.

A little homework first will allow you to feel more confident in your decision long before you call the contractor for quotes. We will guide you through the process.

Go Look at House Siding

Go to the local Home Depot and check out the many different types and styles of popular house sidings. Choose several different looks that you think will enhance your house. Then concentrate on those at first.

Write everything down, get samples, get brochures, any printed material like flyers, and don't forget the warranties. Every type of siding has different warranties.

Board and Batten siding is one of the most popular sidings. The siding run up and down the house, vertically. Sometimes called barn siding.

For more information on the different types of house siding, Click Here.

How to Find a Good Contractor

Most homeowners fear the part about finding a good contractor. Once you choose the type of siding you think will look good on your house, and you have decided what material you want, ie: vinyl, Hardie Board, Engineered Wood, real Wood, or Cement Board, you have enough information to talk inteligently to a contractor.

Working With a Contractor

Now you have the information that the contractor needs to know to give you a quote. Give each contractcor the exace same information. Now you can compare the different quotes Apples 2 Apples. The only difference will be the extras and the labor. Much easier to compare for the best deal.

To learn more about choosing and working with contractors, Click Here.

Start your project by going to our Home Page and let's begin the journey.

Go to the home page for more indepth information

Cost
Maintenance
Weather Considerations
Reviews from homeowners
Product materials

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