Are you looking for the best type of siding to install on your home's exterior? We strongly recommend vinyl because it offers many benefits. For instance, according to The Spruce, vinyl siding typically comes with a wind rating of 110 mph. Vinyl siding installation is also easier compared to installing other types of siding. This explains why vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices in the US. There are many different vinyl siding options to choose from, as outlined below.

Horizontal Siding

Horizontal siding is one of the commonly preferred vinyl siding options. As the name suggests, this design features long narrow boards or panels that are placed horizontally across the house. That's because horizontal siding typically offers a clean and classic look that's usually suitable for any home. What's more, horizontal siding is more affordable and easy to install compared to the vertical siding. Horizontal siding is also environmentally friendly and doesn't require a lot of maintenance. When choosing horizontal siding, you're not limited to one option since there are different styles to choose from, including Dutch lap, clapboard, log-style, and traditional lap siding.

The Dutch lap style is designed to mimic real wood and has a decorative look. The traditional Lap is similar to the Dutch lap because the bottom of each board overlaps with the next board. You also have beaded siding where each plank has a bead at the bottom. Overall, if you're looking for classic vinyl siding options, you can't go wrong with horizontal siding because of the impressive range of textures and colors that you can choose from. You should also consider whether the type of vinyl siding you're looking for has the right type of shadow lines to create the visual effect you want.

Vertical Siding

While vertical siding is not as common as horizontal siding, it's still one of the better vinyl siding options for various reasons. For one, if you want your home to stand out from the rest of the street, then you should opt for vertical siding. Unlike horizontal siding, where the planks are placed horizontally, vertical siding (as the name suggests) arranges the planks vertically, which can create quite a striking look if you're used to seeing horizontal siding. Sometimes, you can use a combination of horizontal and vertical siding to add more style to your home's appearance. Some homeowners use mainly horizontal siding then switch to vertical siding for specific areas such as entryways and gables or dormers.

You'll find that the main style of vertical siding is referred to as board and batten. That is because although all the planks are arranged vertically, there are gaps between each wide plank, with a much narrower plank covering each gap. Again, this gives vertical siding a distinctive look. However, keep in mind that the board and batten style means that this type of siding takes longer to install and costs a tad more, but the investment is usually worthwhile.

Shakes and Shingles

You may be wondering whether shakes and shingles are really types of vinyl siding. After all, shakes are made by splitting wood by hand, and shingles are also cut from wood. Well, there are vinyl shakes and shingles that closely mimic the real thing. This is what makes these vinyl siding options so affordable. Generally, siding that's made from real wood can be quite expensive, but vinyl shakes and shingles allow you to achieve the same look for a fraction of the cost.

You should choose these vinyl siding options if you're aiming for a rustic and natural look. Usually, you have several options to choose from, starting with cedar shakes. Vinyl cedar shakes look almost like they were cut from real cedar boards, but they offer the advantage of being low maintenance. Besides vinyl cedar shakes, you also have traditional shakes that are great if you want an ultra-rustic look. When it comes to vinyl shingles, you'll also be pleased to know that they look as realistic as possible for a fraction of the price. Shingles tend to give a more uniform appearance and are not as rustic as shakes.

One of the biggest advantages of vinyl siding is that it's so versatile. Besides the fact that there are various styles to choose from, there are also different colors to choose from. This allows you to get the design and aesthetics that best complement the exterior of your home. Ready to start shopping for vinyl siding? If you're planning to upgrade your home's exterior with the best-quality siding, don't hesitate to get in touch!