Siding
Choosing your Siding
Solid wood siding – If properly maintained wood siding will last for generations, and there's nothing else like it for a rich look. However, the hassle of protecting and maintaining wood drives many homeowners to other siding choices. Wood expands and contracts with the seasons, so it is prone to splitting and cracking. It is also prone to mildew in humid parts of the country. A major drawback is cost. Solid wood costs approximately twice as much as vinyl or fiber cement siding.
Fiber cement siding – constructed from a mixture of cement, cellulose fiber and sand, fiber cement siding is gaining popularity as an alternative to wood siding. This durable material resists termites and rotting and is slow to burn. It's available in a variety of styles and colors. Most fiber-cement products must be painted, but because they're rarely affected by expansion and contraction and don't hold moisture, their paint finishes last a long time. They can be heavy, and difficult to repair. The finished cost usually comes in lower than solid wood but higher than vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding – In addition to offering siding that looks like cedar boards, vinyl companies offer decorative trim details. Today's vinyl siding looks better than ever (particularly seamless vinyl), resists assaults from the wind, and won't rot, dent, flake, scratch, or blister. It can become brittle in very cold weather. Vinyl arrives in 8-inch x 12-foot sections, with two squares (enough to cover 200 square feet) per carton. The per-carton price varies from $43 to $65.
Brick and stone look-alike siding – Real brick and stone surfaces are sometimes perceived as maintenance-free. However, masonry requires occasional care. Loose mortar joints must be removed or replaced -- a process called tuck-pointing. If you want the look, but not the maintenance, check out the latest in brick and stone veneers. While true brick or stone walls must rest on a foundation, new thin-brick and manufactured-stone products adhere to walls with mastic or mortar and can be applied right over most existing siding. Brick and stone look-alikes are far less expensive than their natural kindred. The cost starts at $2.25 per foot with a top end of $4 per foot.
Synthetic stucco siding – Exterior Insulation Finishing Systems (EIFS), sometimes called synthetic stucco, typically combine foam plastic insulation with a two-layer synthetic coating. Look for "water-managed" types that provide an escape for moisture.