Types Of Wood Siding

Wood siding has been a favorite exterior cladding for homes for decades. It is a versatile material that can adapt to different types of homes, climates, and needs. Among its advantages are its ease of installation and maintenance, as well as its wide range of budgets. There are many different types of wood siding materials available, including natural wood species and wood composites like fiber cement. Each species of wood is represented across a range of wood styles and profiles, including shiplap, shake, shingles, and panels.

One type of wood siding material is fiber cement siding. Made with real wood in the form of cellulose fibers, fiber cement siding is mixed with Portland cement, sand, and water. It is then molded to have the grain and texture of real wood. Fiber cement siding is more fire-resistant than other types of wood siding materials. It is also more durable and less prone to insect damage. However, it does not have a natural wood look and can be brittle and prone to cracking.

Another type of wood siding material is engineered wood siding, which is a wood composite siding. Its wood fibers are coated in waxes, resins, and other ingredients, then pressed under heat into the texture of real wood. Engineered wood siding is lighter than fiber cement and some wood siding materials. It also uses recycled materials and is less expensive than other types of wood siding materials. However, it is not natural-looking and must be painted. Binding agents are not eco-friendly, and some may contain carcinogens.

Cedar siding is all wood, and it can be left to weather on its own or it can be stained or painted. Cedar siding can be derived from the less expensive white woodgrain section or from the more expensive, dense heartwood section. If left unstained, cedar weathers to a silvery-gray color. Cedar siding is well-suited to weathering on its own. It resists cupping and splitting and is sustainable and domestically sourced. However, it requires regular washing with a power washer and occasional sealing.

Pine siding is a light-colored, honey-brown softwood that is plentiful and easy to obtain. It is budget-friendly and stains well, holding paint well too. However, it comes in short lengths and has knots. It is not naturally resistant to decay.

Redwood siding has a rich red tone and a deep grain. It is mainly available in the western U.S. While cedar quickly changes colors as it ages, redwood retains its red color at first and even darkens. Over time, though, redwood will change colors to driftwood gray. Redwood siding resists shrinking and cracking and repels damaging insects like carpenter ants and termites. However, it is not easy to obtain in the eastern half of the U.S. and can be pricier than other options. Supplies have been dwindling.

Spruce is another softwood comparable in price to pine or spruce. Spruce comes in longer boards, making it great for shiplap/clapboard siding. It is great for staining, but doesn’t resist rot or insects well. It requires frequent maintenance.

Fir is a softwood comparable in price to pine or spruce. Fir has an even, consistent color and delicate graining. It is available in long sections and stains and finishes well. It is easy to rip to size or mill. However, it must be painted or coated on all sections and is prone to cupping and warping.

Shiplap siding creates a weather-proof seal by laying or lapping part of a top board over a lower board. This fit is tight enough to keep out rain, snow, and wind but flexible enough to allow the house siding to expand and contract. Fiber cement, engineered wood, spruce, and fir are ideal types of wood for shiplap siding. Shiplap creates a classic, timeless, and charming look for any house.

Shake siding is created from thick, almost wedge-shaped shingles. Shakes are lapped, top over bottom, just like a house’s roofing shingles. Wood shake gives a home a rustic yet refined look—city with a bit of the country. While shake is mostly associated with cedar, it’s also made from fiber cement and engineered wood. Fiber cement shakes offer better protection against moisture, as trapped moisture can be a problem with wood shake. Cedar shake can also be a fire hazard, and many communities ban the use of cedar shake on homes.

Shingle siding and shake siding are similar, except that shingles are thinner. Beyond that, most properties of shake apply to shingles. Since shingles lay flatter to the house than shake, they give the house a smoother, cleaner look—less bumpy and rustic-looking. Most shingle siding made of wood is made from cedar.

Large wood panels 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide are an economical way to side a house. Because of their size, wood panels go up quickly. Wood panels are made from plywood, fiber cement, and engineered wood. Large-format panels’ appearance is plain, functional, and utilitarian. With the right stain or paint job, though, large panels can enhance a home.

Split log siding makes the home look like a real log cabin, as if thick logs were stacked to form walls. Actually, these are slices of logs that are attached to home sheathing to give the impression of full-size logs. Split log siding is made from hardwoods such as oak, cypress, or cedar. Minor cracks in the wood are common, but that’s part of the effect. Split log siding creates a cozy, traditional look for homes in wooded areas or for vacation homes.

Tongue and groove siding is horizontal siding with the tongue from an upper board fitting into the groove of a lower board. Tongue and groove creates a close joint between the two boards, but one that’s loose enough to allow movement. Tongue and groove siding is commonly made from fir, pine, and cedar.

Board and batten is a vertically oriented siding with wide strips of wood interspersed by thin strips. The wide board strips are usually about 1-foot wide, and the battens are about 1/2-inch wide. The look is similar to that of interior wainscoting or beadboard. While the look of board and batten is usually described as being barn-like, it has since become disassociated from its rural roots and can be found in modern and contemporary style homes.

Home Exterior Solutions LLC, located in Richmond, VA, has the experience and expertise to help homeowners select the best wood siding for their homes. We pride ourselves on providing high-quality residential siding replacement services. From cedar to fiber cement, we have the perfect wood siding for your home. We are dedicated to providing our customers with the best possible service and the most beautiful wood siding. Contact us today to learn more about our residential siding replacement services.