Stone and Cultured Stone:
Beautiful and nearly resistant to all weather damage, stone is a very expensive siding option, but cultured stone can be more affordable. Cultured stone looks and feels like real stone at a lower price.

Shakes:
A rough type of wooden shingle, shakes are usually made from redwood, cedar or cypress. Shakes come in non-uniform shapes and sizes which can create a rustic look for your home. They can be applied in a double course, meaning that only the top layer is exposed to weather elements. Shakes are prone to rolling up towards the center, cracking, and splitting.

Source: Charlie McCurry from S&K Roofing, Siding and Windows, www.SKRoofing.com

Siding is your home’s skin. It provides support for your home’s frame, protects it from the weather elements, and is a key factor in your home’s appearance. When choosing siding, make sure to keep a few things in mind. You must consider your climate, the style you want to create, the size of your budget, and how much maintenance you plan to do.

Siding can be part of building your new home or an option if you are seeking new improvement to an older home. Siding provides a quick and dramatic change to update the look of your home. It is crucial to find the right contractor for the job since the siding of your home is one of its major aspects when it comes to exterior appearance.

Source: Shiner Roofing, Siding and Windows, www.ShinerRoofing.com

Taking maintenance into consideration is extremely important when choosing siding for your home. Siding is exposed to all weather elements and must be repaired if its material becomes vulnerable to them.

The longevity of your siding depends on two things: the durability of the siding and how well it is maintained. This means that you must make sure you choose a material that you know you can maintain. If you do not plan to do much maintenance, you should choose a siding material that requires less maintenance.

Here we offer advice on how to maintain some of the most popular siding materials:

Vinyl is the easiest type of siding to maintain. It must be washed and inspected about once a year. It is usually said to be maintenance free, but there are a few factors you want to keep in mind.
Wash it annually.

Be careful with vinyl siding - keep lawn mowers and bicycles away to prevent cracks and breaks.
Keep hot things away from it that can melt the vinyl such as grills and patio torches.

Aluminum requires little maintenance, but there are few precautions you can take to ensure it maintains its appearance and lasts a long time.
Aluminum should be painted when there is chalking or oxidation, which is the resultof weathering.
A power washer should be used annually to keep it clean and looking new.

Wood siding needs a lot of maintenance.All types of wood are subject to damage from termites, rot, moisture problems, cracking, splitting, etc. Some steps are essential in maintaining wood siding.
To prevent wood rot, wood must be treated with oil or stained at least every three years, and painted every five years.
In wet climates, wood needs special care due to absorption of moisture, which causes boards to expand.
Wood must be checked for holes from woodpeckers and insects, and replaced if damage is found.
Wood can be cleaned with pressure washing, although if done improperly pressure washing can ruin the wood.

Fiber Cement siding is not “maintenance free” as it does require painting. However, because fiber cement does notexpand and contract with the weather, paint adheres to it very well helping it last longer than it would on wood siding.
Insect nests and accumulated dirt can easily be removed by power washing. It’s also a good idea to inspect caulked joints each year between butt ends of boards, windows, and doors.
Gaps that open when caulk pulls away can easily be filled with a high quality acrylic or latex readily available in hardware and paint stores.
A well maintained fiber cement siding product generally requires repainting only every seven to fifteen years.

Fiber Cement:
This durable, natural-looking material can take on the appearance of wood, stucco, and masonry. It can provide the authentic look of wood with less maintenance. Fiber cement siding is fireproof, termite-proof, and often has a warranty of up to 50 years.

• Durable and natural looking
• Can imitate the appearance of wood, stucco, and masonry
• Requires less maintenance than wood
• Material is fireproof and termite-proof

Cedar Shingles:
A classic building material that has the look of natural wood. It usually comes in brown, gray or earth-tones and requires less maintenance than wood clapboard.

Seamless Steal:
Very strong siding that resists shrinking and bulging often caused by temperature changes. This siding is custom fit to the exact measurements of your home. It can be used to create a wood-like or corrugated steel texture.

Stucco:
Stucco is traditionally made with a combination of water and materials such as sand and lime. Synthetic stucco, often used today, looks authentic but does not provide the same durability as real stucco. Stucco can be finished in many
ways, which can create a variety of looks.

Brick and Brick Veneers:
Made of fired clay, brick is very durable and long-lasting. Brick siding can last centuries, only needing patching or repairs after the first twenty-five years. Brick veneers are a less expensive option that come in a variety of earth-tones. They are durable and attractive and are ideal for rain screening because water cannot penetrate veneers.