Siding Comparison

There are more than a dozen different types of siding that you can put on your home and which one to choose can be a complex exercise. Some sidings such as brick and stone will last forever with little maintenance, while other products such as clapboard and cedar have a limited life and high maintenance.

There are also many levels of quality within each type of siding. Some is insulated, while other sidings require that insulation be placed on the external wall prior to installing the siding.

Remember that the siding you choose will also have an effect on the costs of heating and air conditioning your home. Vinyl and aluminum siding have very low R factors, and while they are easier to maintain than cedar, cedar has a much higher R factor and hence will insulate your home much better.

The following chart will give you some indication as to the costs of the basic siding material, its durability, appearance and maintenance in relation to other types of sidings.

Numbers in columns for durability, appearance and maintenance are based on a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the best. The numbers are also based on a proper installation. Poor installation of even the best material will lower the numbers dramatically.

For additional information on siding your home see "Siding" in our construction index.