The exterior siding of your home can make or break its curb appeal. Loose or missing bricks, dirty glass surfaces, or chipped vinyl paint can give the wrong impression of your home. For that reason, it’s crucial that you not only choose the right siding for your home, but also make sure you can keep up with any maintenance that it may require.
Here’s a look at some of the best exterior siding options for your home:
Brick
Brick exterior siding is the most traditional option for homeowners- it’s a timeless look found in most suburbs, making it the go-to choice when buying or updating a home. While it’s a more expensive option compared to other siding choices, brick is a durable low-maintenance material that doesn’t require repainting or refinishing.
Engineered Wood
Unlike fiber-cement or wood-imitating vinyl, engineered wood is comprised mostly of wood with a few added materials to create a more natural-looking final product. Engineered wood cannot be repainted or re-stained, so whatever finish you installed originally is what you’ll have for life- however, it comes in a variety of styles and textures and is a cheaper, more durable material than fiber-cement or vinyl.
Glass
Serving as a sophisticated, modern option for exterior siding, glass block walls are non-load bearing (so they’re technically not considered “exterior siding”). They do give the appearance of siding, as you can have them installed from the roof to the floor of your home. Glass is great for letting in natural light and is quite energy efficient, though they’re pricey and can take away privacy.
Stone
Both fabricated and natural stone exterior siding creates an upscale, decorative appearance to a home. Unlike brick, it’s a more natural option for a house and can create a unique exterior pattern. The materials and cost of labor are higher compared to brick, though it provides unique colors and textures that can aesthetically add to the look and feel of your home.
Stucco
Derived from Spanish architectural elements, stucco is made from cement, sand, lime, water, and sometimes epoxy. Typically found in pueblo-style homes on the West Coast, stucco is a solid, durable, low-maintenance material that rarely requires painting or chipping maintenance. Installation typically requires a professional, and it can be a time-consuming material to install, as it requires a few coats before it’s completely dry.
Source: Quicken Loans