As a house exterior specialist at RST Roofing and Renovations, I’m always excited to share my knowledge and expertise with homeowners and readers just like you! Today, I’m here to discuss the top vinyl siding choices that can transform your home into a stunning masterpiece. I’ll also guide you through the ideal panel varieties and explain the types of vinyl siding you need to avoid.
👉 The Four Best Types of Vinyl Siding for Homes
When it comes to siding styles, what was popular a few decades ago is no longer popular today. So let’s explore some stunning modern and traditional options that stand out.
#1 Board and Batten Vinyl Siding: Timeless Elegance
The first style on our list is the ever-charming board and batten. This classic siding style features wide vertical boards and narrow strips, or battens, that are applied in an alternating pattern, creating a traditional look. The play of light and shadow on the surface adds depth and character to a home’s exterior, and today, there are many versions of this style available.
Vinyl board and batten siding can be a perfect choice for both traditional and modern homes, providing a touch of expressive architectural charm. It can also make smaller homes look a little taller than their actual height, which is a plus!
Recommendation: CertainTeed Board and Batten Vinyl Siding
#2 Vinyl Log Siding: Rustic Charm
If you dream of a cozy cabin nestled in the woods, vinyl logs are the perfect choice for you. With its authentic wood-like texture and natural color options, vinyl log siding exudes rustic beauty while eliminating the high maintenance requirements of real wood. This type of vinyl siding captures the essence of log cabin living, allowing you to enjoy the charm of a wood look without the hassle.
Vinyl log siding can cost a little more than other vinyl designs, but compared to other options like natural wood and fiber cement, it’s more affordable.
Recommendation: Montebello™ Vinyl Log Siding by Kaycan
#3 Vinyl Shake Siding: Natural Aesthetics
For a touch of sophistication and texture, look no further than vinyl shakes. These versatile panels mimic the appearance of hand-split cedar shakes, delivering an elegant and refined look to your home. Whether you’re aiming for the feel of a coastal cottage or a transitional design, vinyl shake siding will elevate your exterior with its complex surface and eye-catching depth.
You can use this siding style for the entire house or pair it strategically with another style that complements the shakes. For example, vinyl siding panels with a wood plank texture in a different shade.
Recommendations:
Portsmouth™ Shake & Shingles EP by Royal Building Products
Foundry Staggered Shakes Vinyl Siding
#4 Scalloped Vinyl Siding: Playful Elegance
For a whimsical and enchanting look, you can explore scalloped designs. These charming vinyl siding panels feature rounded, wave-like edges that evoke a sense of uniqueness and cheerfulness. Ideal for accent areas and gables, scalloped vinyl siding can add a pleasant feel to your home, making it stand out in the neighborhood.
You can also alternate other styles of siding with scalloped siding, such as traditional lap siding or Dutch lap patterns for a subtle, yet pleasing look.
Recommendation: Cedar Impressions®Vinyl Siding by CertainTeed
These four vinyl siding styles look incredibly appealing and can upgrade the resale value of your home too! However, to make the right choice, you need to consider several other details related to different vinyl siding options.
👉 Choosing the Right Kind of Vinyl Siding Panels
When choosing the right siding for you, consider the panel specifications, product manufacturer, and siding contractor. By paying attention to these details, you can ensure that your siding not only looks beautiful but also stands the test of time, protecting your home for years to come.
#1 Panel Length and Width
The specifications of each panel should be the same when it comes to length, width, and thickness. The size of the panels should match your home’s architecture and specifications, which will ensure a seamless and streamlined look.
- Appropriate panel length can minimize the number of seams on your exterior walls.
- The right panel width can enhance the overall symmetry and balance of your home’s exterior.
#2 Panel Thickness
Choosing a thicker gauge of vinyl offers enhanced durability and resistance to impact, ensuring that your siding can withstand the elements and remain beautiful for years to come. Thicker panels also provide better protection against potential damage, such as dents and cracks, resulting in a long-lasting and low-maintenance exterior.
#3 Color
The color of your vinyl siding plays a significant role in the overall visual impact of your home’s exterior. It is crucial to coordinate your siding color with your roof, trim, and landscaping elements. Analogous tones reflect a pleasant feel, while dark and contrasting colors are bolder. Consider the style and mood you want to convey and choose a color combination that reflects your taste while harmonizing with the surrounding elements.
#4 Additional Features
Beyond the basic specifications, it’s important to consider weatherproofing features for your home’s siding, such as insulation. Insulated vinyl siding panels offer improved energy efficiency by reducing heat loss in the winter and retaining cool air in the summertime.
Proper siding insulation also contributes to a quieter indoor environment by minimizing external noise. So it’s an excellent way to create a more comfortable and energy-efficient home, resulting in lower energy bills and, if applicable, government incentives.
As you’re getting started with your project, it’s crucial to know about the types of vinyl siding panels you need to avoid.
👉 Don’t Make These Mistakes When Selecting Vinyl Siding Panels!
As an exterior specialist, I feel it’s important for homeowners to stay away from choices that may not offer sufficient protection, or panels that will look out of place.
• Thin Panels
Vinyl siding panels come in various thicknesses, ranging from 0.040 to 0.070 inches. Thin panels may lack the ability to withstand harsh weather conditions, so avoid using panels thinner than 0.050 inches.
• Clap-Board Style Siding
While it was once popular, the traditional clapboard siding now looks plain and can even seem outdated. Try to avoid it if you’re looking to elevate your curb appeal.
• Clashing Colors
Do not choose a siding color that’s too similar to your roof or clashes with the colors around your house. For example, if you have a lush green garden, avoid choosing green siding. Similarly, avoid dark brown siding if you have a similarly colored roof.
Look at the picture below for an idea of siding colors that blend in well with a home’s exterior.
Finally, when you’ve chosen the right type of vinyl siding style for your home, it’s time to select a siding manufacturer and installer.
👉 Choosing the Right Vinyl Siding Manufacturer and Contractor
It’s essential to compare products from reputable manufacturers like CertainTeed and Kaycan. These are some of the top international vinyl siding brands with a range of sturdy, high-end, and colorful options in various price ranges. These brands provide thick, insulated, and durable panels with solid warranties, offering better peace of mind to homeowners and contractors alike.
The best way to get started is by consulting a reputable and experienced local siding installer. Certified, skilled professionals will give you a detailed overview of different types of house siding and ensure a flawless installation that can stay sturdy for years. Hiring a licensed and reliable company also enables you to have the benefit of a good manufacturer warranty and smooths out any insurance claim process.
Look for vinyl siding contractors with a high number of positive reviews online and also ask around for references. If you need help selecting and installing the right kind of vinyl siding in Georgia, our team’s here to help.
👉 Find Out What Type of Vinyl Siding is Best Suited for Your Home!
If you are looking for reliable and cost-effective vinyl siding installation in Georgia, our experts at RST Roofing and Renovations are here to help! We’re proud to be a part of the Atlanta community, so we do our best to help homeowners here get sturdy, beautiful homes. Our licensed, friendly and talented experts are always excited to discuss home improvement projects and provide valuable insights. Call us at (404)-548-8901 for a free consultation and quote regarding your house siding project in or around Atlanta, GA. We’ll also provide you with an accurate estimate of your vinyl siding cost to help you plan and budget for your siding replacement project.
