5 Things to Consider When Choosing Your Siding
Siding has a tremendous impact on the exterior appearance and curb appeal of your home. But picking the right style goes far beyond looks.
Experts from Royal® Building Products recommend that you consider the following when it comes to selecting the right siding for your home.
Home Style
Siding can be used to accentuate the architectural details of your home. For example, the clean design and strong lines of modern homes are emphasized with vertical siding or horizontal shiplap, while board and batten is a great choice for a farm home or craftsman. Board and batten can also add height to eclectic or contemporary home styles.
If you have a beach house or a Cape Cod, shake and shingles add texture and natural appeal. This choice of siding also makes the home feel authentic to its surroundings.
Expert Tip: Mix and match horizontal siding with sections of half rounds to add architectural interest on traditional Georgian or Victorian homes.
Color
When selecting a color palette for your exterior design, start by choosing one primary color and two secondary colors for your trim, door, accent sections or shutters. Your choices will ultimately depend on if you want a light, dark or neutral color palette, which is also influenced by your home style and the style of homes in your neighborhood. For those in search of color inspiration, grays and blues continue to dominate exterior design trends; dark on dark is a great option for those who want to make a bold statement.
Looking for more ideas? Refer to the 2018 Exterior Color Palette by Royal® to see how colors can be mixed and matched. Or try out different colors on your home with HomePlay™.
Expert Tip: White siding with contrasting accents, like a dark trim, is a classic choice that will maintain its curb appeal for decades.
Budget
The budget you are working with will be a big factor in which siding you ultimately decide to put on your home. Price varies based on style, materials and technology, and there are many options to choose from within different budgets. Make sure that you get an estimate from a professional, as siding installation should never be a DIY project.
Expert tip: Regardless of your budget, new siding will increase the resale value of your home (new vinyl siding has an estimated 75% return on investment).
Ease of Maintenance
When you are choosing between siding options, consider the level of maintenance you are willing to put into its upkeep. You want your siding to look as beautiful as the day you installed it for years to come. Some styles of siding require much more maintenance over the years. For example, wood siding can require scraping and repainting due to the damaging effects of sun and rain, while vinyl siding offers the longest durability and lowest maintenance.
Expert tip: Ask your contractor about locking mechanisms. The latest technology in siding locking design prevents sagging and will hold up better over time.
Climate
The climate where you live has a huge impact on how well your siding holds up to wind, rain, sun and snow. Colder climates could benefit from insulated vinyl siding, which saves heat loss and energy. Cellular PVC Siding, such as Celect® by Royal®, offers the best UV protection for homes in hotter climates. Vinyl siding and Celect siding should work well in any climate and offer the best durability.
Expert tip: Look for a wind speed rating above 110 mph if you live in an area that is in a high-wind region (wind gusts exceeding 90 mph), where siding is more likely to be damaged by hurricanes.