What’s the Difference Between Composite and Engineered Wood Siding?
See which of these two sidings is perfect for the job
Highlights
Engineered wood siding is made from layers of wood fibers.
Composite siding is made from wood fibers, cement, and/or plastic materials.
Engineered wood costs less and is easier to install.
Composite siding lasts longer and requires less maintenance.
Engineered wood offers a natural appearance, while composite offers a modern one.
While they say never to judge a book by its cover, your home’s siding can definitely serve as the cover to a great story—or a not-so-great story. One way to spruce up your home’s exterior is by installing new siding. If you’re looking for a long-lasting material, both composite and engineered wood siding are top contenders. But knowing the differences can help finalize your decision and get you that exterior siding you’ve always wanted.
Composite vs. Engineered Wood Siding: Key Differences
Engineered wood siding is a type of composite siding. However, composite siding is not exclusively wood-based. Composite siding can derive from all kinds of materials—all of which impact the quality, texture, appearance, and performance. Meanwhile, engineered wood siding always comes from layers of wood materials combined into a board.
What Is Engineered Wood Siding?
Engineered wood siding is technically wood-based composite siding. Layers of wood fibers are engineered to create long-lasting boards, hence the name. Here’s how it works:
Lumber, veneers, and other wood fibers bind together with heat, pressure, and resin or other adhesives to create a sturdy center.
From there, a high-quality hardwood veneer is adhered to the top.
Several coats of polyurethane cover the surface for added protection.
The bottom layer is typically either solid hardwood or plywood.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Cost-effective | Less moisture and fire-resistant |
| Contains real wood | May require more maintenance |
| Lightweight | Easy to install incorrectly |
| Eco-friendly | More susceptible to pests |
| More natural appearance | Can split, warp, and fade |
Best for:
Anyone on a budget
Homes in dryer climates
Those looking for real wood siding without the cost or maintenance
Those who want to DIY the installation
Pros of Engineered Wood Siding
If you want your home’s siding to look like natural wood without all the pitfalls that come with wood, engineered wood siding may be the perfect alternative. Unlike wood siding, which is more susceptible to water damage, mold, rot, warpage, fire, and pests, engineered wood siding is designed to require less maintenance while still offering that natural wood appearance.
Engineered wood siding is lightweight and eco-friendly thanks to the recyclable materials used to create the fibrous layers. Because it only contains a real wood veneer on the outward-facing layer, engineered wood is also lightweight, making it easier to install the siding while you're on a ladder and hammering away at the side of your home.
Compared to the cost of other siding materials, engineered wood falls at the lower end of the price point, at just $1 to $6 per square foot.
Cons of Engineered Wood Siding
Though engineered wood siding offers many advantages as an alternative wood siding material, there are still some disadvantages to engineered wood worth keeping in mind.
Engineered wood siding still poses some of the same risks as wood siding—albeit to a lesser degree. For example, engineered wood siding is still susceptible to water damage and pests. It’s also not fully fire-resistant and can warp, split, and fade over time.
When it comes to the installation process, engineered wood’s lightweight property is a bit of a double-edged sword. The siding is easier to install, but homeowners who don't have experience with carpentry may incorrectly install the siding, causing water to seep into the cracks.
What Is Composite Siding?
Composite siding is a catch-all phrase for any siding made from layers of materials adhered together. Originally, composite siding was made from fibrous wood, but over the years technology has upped its game, leading to some pretty unique materials, including:
Oriented strand board (OSB) or sawdust
Plastic vinyl or other polymers
Wood scraps
Some combination of the above
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Durable | Higher cost |
| Won’t warp | Heavier than wood |
| Eco-friendly | Less customizable |
| Many styles and textures | Harder to install |
| Water- and fire-resistant | Dangerous particles when sawing |
Best for:
Homes in moist climates
Homes in wildfire zones
Those looking for minimal maintenance work
Those who want maximum durability
Pros of Composite Siding
Composite siding derives from many different types of materials, so the number of combinations used to create the siding is practically unlimited. This can make for a stronger board that caters to specific characteristics you need in a siding material.
For instance, wood composite siding is more susceptible to fire and water damage but comes with the perk of a natural wood appearance. Meanwhile, fiber cement siding offers more durability, fire resistance, and moisture resistance but lacks the natural look of wood.
Composite siding also comes from post-consumer materials, making it eco-friendly. Fiber cement siding also won’t warp, bend, crack, or fade, making it a better long-term investment.
Cons of Composite Siding
Though composite siding comes in all shapes and sizes, it’s still limited in terms of texture and appearance. It won’t look exactly like natural wood, even when brands try to imitate the look of the real thing. And, unlike wood and engineered wood siding, composite fiber cement is heavy, making it more labor-intensive to cut and install.
On top of that—watch out. Fiber cement releases more particles into the air when sawed. You might want to hire a local fiber cement siding contractor for this installation.
Composite siding can cost more than engineered wood siding depending on the materials. Take fiber cement siding costs, for example. Hardie board siding is the original fiber cement siding and can come with a higher price tag ranging from $5 to $14 per square foot. Other companies offer combinations of sawdust, wood, plastic, and cement to jump to the forefront of cutting-edge technology.
Composite vs. Engineered Wood Siding
Choosing the right siding material can make a difference in the appearance, versatility, durability, budget, installation method, maintenance, longevity, and more of your siding. Let’s break down these factors to see how composite vs. engineered wood siding compares.
Appearance: Engineered Wood Siding
Because engineered wood siding uses real wood as the outer facing layer, you still get the benefits of natural wood without the maintenance and susceptibilities that come with it. Composite siding made from cement or plastic, however, lacks the charm of natural wood but does offer a more modern appearance for homeowners who want a more contemporary style.
Options and Customizations: Engineered Wood Siding
Both engineered wood siding and composite siding come with unique options and customizations, but engineered wood offers more ease and safety when cutting the material.
Engineered wood siding can use all kinds of hardwood for the surface layer, giving you many options to choose from. Its light weight allows you to really play with the patterns and plank sizes. Like wood, you can easily cut engineered wood siding. At the end of the day though, engineered wood is limited to layers of plywood and a single piece of hardwood.
In comparison, composite siding uses proprietary blends of several materials to give you several advantages when choosing a siding. While composite siding doesn't offer the same natural variety that comes with engineered wood, it can be painted, stained, or textured in many different styles. Still, composite siding is harder to cut to size, which could make it less appealing to the avid DIYer.
Durability: Composite Siding
Since composite siding made from fiber cement is a proprietary blend of Portland cement, sand or silica, and cellulose fibers, the siding can withstand the tests of time better than engineered siding.
Composite siding is non-combustible, hail-resistant, pest-resistant, warping-resistant, and water-resistant. Engineered siding is an improvement over traditional wood siding, but at the end of the day, it's still made from wood fibers, making it less durable.
Price: Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood siding takes the cake for being one of the most economical siding materials on the market. This siding material is $4 to $8 cheaper than fiber cement composite siding per square foot on average.
Ease of Installation/DIYability: Engineered Wood Siding
You might want to hire a siding contractor near you to install wood siding for a proper fit regardless of the type you choose, but if you have the experience, it’s easier to install engineered wood siding because it weighs less than some types of composite siding.
If you do decide to install composite siding yourself, you'll want to take more precautions when sawing the siding. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the sawdust particles can contain crystalline silica, which can cause a deadly lung disease called silicosis if inhaled. Older composite siding may also contain asbestos, so it’s important to have old materials tested if you plan on upcycling composite materials.
Ease of Repair/DIYability: Engineered Wood Siding
Again, engineered wood siding is lightweight and therefore an easier siding to repair or replace if damage occurs. Composite fiber cement siding can be more difficult to repair due to its weight.
Maintenance: Composite Siding
Engineered wood siding still uses wood fibers as part of the proprietary blend for creating the boards and real hardwood on the surface. As a result, you'll find that you do need to follow maintenance practices to keep your boards looking new. Inspect your home’s exterior siding for signs of water damage, pests, mold, and wear and tear at least twice yearly. Also, be sure to clean any mildew, dirt, or debris to protect the sealant.
Fiber cement siding doesn't use wood fibers at all in some cases, making it more maintenance-free. Most engineered wood siding can’t handle the pressure of a pressure washer, but some fiber cement siding can use a low-pressure water spray. Simply wash the siding using a garden hose or by following the manufacturer’s recommendations to keep the surface clean.
Length of Life: Composite Siding
Composite siding made from fiber cement lasts anywhere from 50 to over 100 years with proper installation and maintenance. Meanwhile, engineered wood siding has a life span ranging from 20 to 30 years on average but can last longer depending on the climate and how well you maintain it.
Eco-Friendliness/Sustainability: Tie
Both engineered wood and composite siding come with similar levels of sustainability since they’re made from reused materials. Check how much post-consumer materials are used with your particular brand to determine which one is most sustainable.