Replacing the siding on your home can overwhelm any homeowner. There’s no shortage of siding manufacturers and with each manufacturer you will find yourself getting lost among all the various siding product lines, styles, colors, textures, and siding accessory options.

Two of the more popular siding choices for today’s homes are vinyl and fiber cement. To figure out which siding might be right for you, we have put together this guide to detail each material’s characteristics and qualities. Both siding options have their own set of positives & negatives. Our goal is to educate and itemize those differences so that you have all the necessary information at your disposal to make the educated decision what is best for you, your family and your home. Keep in mind, that what might be a positive aspect for one homeowner may not be to another homeowner. Like anything else, this should be treated on a case-by-case basis. But….ultimately, we are hopeful this will help you in your siding replacement selection process.

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FIBER-CEMENT SIDING STYLE OPTIONS

It’s possible to buy fiber-cement boards as half-round, staggered, or square shingles as well as in long plank boards. It can be painted or stained, which means you can make it any color you’d like, and it’s also now possible to buy pre-painted fiber cement siding in a range of colors so that you can eliminate this step.

VINYL SIDING STYLE OPTIONS

Vinyl siding offers a much greater variety of decorative options, from maintaining the appearance of an historic home to creating a clean and modern facade. In fact, no other siding option offers such a range of styles and colors. Available are not only the shingle and plank looks of fiber-cement siding, but also a variety of panel designs including clapboard, board and batten, and Dutch lap. Among the most popular vinyl siding products are those with a grain-finished surface that mimics real wood, or those that look like cedar shake shingles. Certain vinyl siding panels can even be hung vertically for a unique and eye-catching look.

Accent Details

This portion of the replacement process is often overlooked by most homeowners and contractors. But it’s these small details that can really help your home stand out from the rest of your neighborhood. You can add a personal touch to your home’s exterior by installing accent trim to enhance your home’s overall aesthetics. Whether you want to add subtle charm or eye-popping curb appeal, it all starts by selecting the proper accessories. To achieve these results, you need to consider trim details, such as your window trim, outside corner posts, and decorative trim boards (such as rake board or band boards).

CertainTeed has the most complete siding accessory line in the industry for vinyl siding and James Hardie offers a full line of accent trim for fiber cement siding.

Here at St Joseph’s Roofing, our Project Managers are well-versed on all steps of the replacement process to ensure your home’s architectural style and features are highlighted. We can help you achieve whatever look you envision.