Wrap your house in the perfect siding
Vinyl siding is a great way to protect your home’s exterior, and style-wise, it’s come a long way. As you weigh vinyl siding’s pros and cons, you’ll discover that there are many types of vinyl siding styles and colors on the market that can achieve whatever look you’re after, from traditional to vintage to modern. Before you hire a local vinyl siding company, check out this guide, where we break down the different types of vinyl siding to help you make the best choice for your home.
Wood grain vinyl siding is one of the most popular options because it resembles actual planks of wood and gives your home a classic look. The surface of the vinyl has a textured pattern that mimics the grain pattern in wood, and each board is up to 6 inches in height. A versatile choice, it comes in many paint or stain colors. Using wood grain vinyl instead of actual wood boards requires far less maintenance, and it’s an economical choice at $3 to $6 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mimics real wood | Limited design options |
| Low maintenance | Can fade over time |
| Relatively affordable | Textured surface can trap dirt |
Best For:
Homeowners seeking a classic, natural wood look
Budget-conscious projects
Those looking for a wood look with less maintenance
Unlike wood grain siding, smooth siding is a vinyl siding style that has no texture on the panels. Its design also minimizes the shadow line between boards, which differs from almost every other type of siding. Homeowners often select smooth siding when they want a clean look or an uncommon color choice. Individual smooth vinyl siding boards are up to 6 inches in height. You’ll pay $3 to $6 per square foot for smooth vinyl siding.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Many color options | Smooth texture can appear plain |
| Minimizes shadow lines for a sleek look | Can’t mimic wood or shake textures |
| Clean, modern aesthetic | Show imperfections |
Best For:
Minimalist designs or modern homes
Unique color options
Homeowners seeking a clean, subtle look
Shake vinyl siding creates a rustic look for the home. The boards come in varying widths and are installed across a horizontal row; often, they have a textured pattern to mimic the look of wood, such as cedar. With shake siding, you’ll receive a segment of vinyl that looks like more than a dozen boards on a single piece. You could also select hand-split shake vinyl siding, which uses uneven bottom edges to resemble wood shakes that someone would’ve cut by hand. Shake siding horizontal rows are about 6 inches in height. Expect to pay $3 to $9 per square foot for shake style siding.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mimics the rustic look of wood | Higher cost |
| Texture hides imperfections | Difficult to clean |
| Durable and long-lasting | Limited color options |
Best For:
Rustic or cottage-style homes
Adding texture and character to exteriors
Homeowners who desire a durable siding option with a natural wood look
Horizontal lap siding delivers a stylish, high-quality look that resembles more expensive options. There are two types of lap siding to choose from: traditional and Dutch. Traditional lap siding is what most people associate with lap siding: the top, narrow end of the siding lays under the wider bottom of the next panel, so the bottom panels overlap. It features a wedge shape, which helps it repel water—this is why it’s frequently used in areas with high precipitation. One board measures about 6 inches in height. Expect to pay about $2 to $7 per square foot for traditional lap siding.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Repels water | Plain design |
| Widely available and versatile | May not fit well with ultra-modern designs |
| Affordable | Overlapping panels may trap dirt or moisture |
Best For:
Areas with high precipitation
Classic or traditional-style homes
Homeowners prioritizing affordability and function
Dutch lap siding is a unique variation of traditional lap siding characterized by a sharper angle on the top edge of the board and a curved decorative element along the bottom. The distinctive shadow lines, once hand-carved by skilled craftspeople, contribute to its hand-made appearance. Originally more expensive than traditional lap siding due to intricate craftsmanship, modern production methods have made Dutch lap siding more affordable. Each board typically measures about 5 inches in height, with prices ranging from $2 to $7 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Decorative shadow lines for style | Higher cost compared to traditional lap |
| Durable and weather-resistant | May not fit minimalist designs |
| Mimics handcrafted woodwork | Limited aesthetic variation compared to shake or scallop styles |
Best For:
Homeowners seeking a blend of traditional and decorative design
Enhancing curb appeal with subtle shadow details
Cost-conscious buyers wanting a handcrafted look
Overall, clapboard siding is similar to lap siding, but there’s one key difference: The design of the clapboard makes it appear as though each board is separated, even though it’s all part of a single slab of vinyl. (With lap siding, the boards appear to be connected.) Clapboard represents a traditional siding design style, with the boards measuring about 4 inches in height, and it costs $3 to $6 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Provides a clean, separated board look | More expensive than traditional lap styles |
| Classic, timeless design | Less unique than decorative options like Dutch lap or shake |
| Easy to install and widely available | May not complement ultra-modern designs |
Best For:
Homeowners seeking a timeless, traditional look
Projects requiring an affordable yet elegant design
Homes in various architectural styles, from colonial to ranch
Beaded seam siding is very similar to lap siding as well, but it has an extra decorative element at the bottom of each board: A curved segment that looks like a seam line attachment. Some people paint the seam line to make it more noticeable. Before vinyl siding was available, wood siding planks would use the beaded seam design to indicate high-end craftsmanship, so beaded seam vinyl planks convey a feeling of luxury and style. The individual boards can be up to 8 inches in height, with the seam line occupying up to 1 inch of that height. Beaded seam siding costs $3 to $7 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Elegant, high-end appearance | Slightly higher cost |
| Decorative bead enhances visual appeal | May require extra maintenance |
| Mimics handcrafted woodwork | Less versatile for minimalist designs |
Best For:
Luxury or historic homes
Enhancing curb appeal with intricate details
Homeowners valuing traditional aesthetics
Although board and batten siding works with either a horizontal or vertical alignment, many people will install these panels vertically. Some people call this barn-style siding because vintage barns often have vertically aligned wood siding. With traditional wooden board and batten siding, the wide planks appear to have a slight gap between them that's filled with a separate thin wood board. Vinyl board and batten pieces emulate this look, but the wide plank and the thin piece are attached to each other. The planks may be up to 12 inches in width, while the thin pieces are about 1 inch in width. Board and batten-style vinyl siding costs $4 to $8 per square foot.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Perfect for vertical installations | Higher cost |
| Creates a rustic, barn-inspired look | More challenging to install |
| Durable and weather-resistant | Limited design options compared to lap styles |
Best For:
Barn-style or rustic homes
Vertical siding for unique design elements
Homes requiring durable, weather-resistant siding
Scalloped siding, which is often found on historic homes, is somewhat similar to shake siding in that it uses individual panels to create a horizontal row. However, the scalloped panels have a curved shape on the bottom, making them look like fish scales or seashells. Rows of vinyl scalloped panels have a similar size to shake panels at about 6 inches in height. Expect to pay $5 to $9 per square foot for scalloped siding panels.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Unique, decorative appearance | Higher cost |
| Complements historic or Victorian homes | May not blend with modern designs |
| Low-maintenance alternative to wood | Less versatile for general applications |
Best For:
Historic or Victorian-style homes
Adding unique decorative touches, like gables
Homeowners seeking a decorative fish scale or shell-like aesthetic
If you want the look of a log cabin without the expense of using actual logs, log vinyl siding is the answer. Using actual logs to construct a home requires regular maintenance, but log cabin vinyl siding greatly reduces maintenance requirements. Log siding has a slightly curved face to mimic round wood logs. Log cabin siding tends to use thicker vinyl than other types of vinyl siding, creating a greater level of protection for the home. Each curved row measures up to 12 inches in height. Even better, log siding costs less than you may think at $5 to $10 per square foot, which is significantly less than actual logs.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Mimics the look of a log cabin | Higher cost |
| Durable, with thicker vinyl | Requires precise installation to appear authentic |
| Low maintenance | Limited to specific architectural styles |
Best For:
Log cabin-style homes
Homeowners wanting a rustic, natural look with minimal upkeep
Projects requiring thicker, durable siding
Much like the wood grain siding we discussed earlier, vinyl siding can also be designed to resemble brick or stone. The heights of individual rows of stone or brick vinyl siding can vary quite a bit from a couple of inches to several inches, depending on the exact style you select. This is one of the most expensive types of vinyl siding, carrying a cost of $5 to $12 per square foot. But compared to actual bricks or stones, it’s a less expensive option that also requires less maintenance.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Realistic alternative to brick or stone | Higher cost |
| Significantly lower maintenance | Not suitable for all architectural styles |
| Lightweight and easier to install | Less durable than stone or brick |
Best For:
Those looking for a classic brick or stone appearance
Reducing maintenance compared to traditional masonry
Adding sophistication to the exterior without breaking the budget
Insulated vinyl siding is characterized by an additional layer of rigid foam insulation, providing enhanced energy efficiency. Even if your walls already have insulation, the addition of insulated vinyl can further lower your energy bills by preventing cold air from entering in winter and keeping the heat out during summer. Available in various colors and styles, you can choose a model that complements your home’s design. Additionally, you have the flexibility to select a higher or lower R-value based on your climate and insulation needs. While the upfront cost is higher, ranging from $4 to $12 per square foot, the long-term savings on energy bills make it a cost-effective investment.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Improves energy efficiency | High cost |
| Reduces noise pollution | Requires proper installation to maximize benefits |
| Available in various colors and styles | Heavier and harder to install |
Best For:
Homeowners prioritizing energy savings
Reducing heating and cooling costs in extreme climates
Those needing durable, all-season siding
Vinyl siding costs include the cost of materials, which ranges from $3 to $12 per square foot, and the cost of labor to install it, which ranges from $2 to $5 per square foot. Provided you have the expertise and all the necessary supplies, including cutting tools, ladders, and scaffolding, you can save money on this project by DIYing the installation.
Yes, after the initial expense to purchase and install it, vinyl siding offers a good value over time because it requires very little maintenance and lasts a long time. In terms of how long vinyl siding lasts, you can expect at least 20 years and up to 60 years of performance.
Vinyl siding has a lot of benefits, but there are some potential vinyl siding problems to be aware of. Especially in areas that get a lot of sun, vinyl siding can show its age after a decade or so in the form of fading or warping. Additionally, if the installation wasn’t done quite right, you may notice loose nails or rust stains after several years.
Thickness is one important component of many. The thicker your siding is, the stronger it is. In addition, it is better able to withstand high winds and other extreme weather situations. A thicker siding also helps reduce noise transmission, which might be important if you live in a dense, bustling area. That said, make sure to also consider the panel architecture and projection, nailing hem design, locking mechanism, and other important elements of vinyl siding in addition to thickness.
