The vinyl siding cost savings extend to installation. It’s the least expensive of all siding materials to install and can be cut dramatically if you’re able to do the work. Vinyl siding is sold by most home centers and requires few tools to install. This home siding needs to be installed on flat surfaces, so the wall will need to be lined with 1/2-inch-thick sheets of rigid foam board to provide a nailing surface. Pine, spruce, cypress, and Douglas fir are the favorite wood choices for this siding because of their longevity and price. Cedar and redwood are great options, as they contain natural rot resistance, but they do cost more. Bevel siding is installed horizontally with the upper piece overlapping the lower. Wood siding is installed over a solid surface, such as plywood, with a moisture barrier between the two and a finishing coat (either paint or stain) and caulking on the outside. All wood siding requires ongoing maintenance including painting and caulking to prevent weather damage. Shakes and shingles are available with a fire-retardant treatment, which is a requirement in high-risk locations. They are installed over a solid surface, such as plywood, with a moisture barrier between the two and a finishing coat (paint or stain) and caulking on the outside. Shake and shingle siding requires periodic maintenance including painting and caulking to prevent weather damage. Whether the metal is copper, zinc, aluminum, or one of the various types of steel, the beauty of metals is that they can be formed to meet required shapes, curves, and edges. The strength and the longevity of metals surpass most of the common house siding options currently on the market. The application process generally requires a frame for attaching the siding, a backing material such as plywood, and a moisture barrier (these needs will vary depending on the specific material and the location of the house). The surface of metals such as copper and weathering steel will change when exposed to weather, but most will maintain the factory finish indefinitely. Metal siding can also be painted, but will likely need to be retouched later on. This type of wood siding can be installed directly over a flat surface, such as plywood, with a moisture barrier between layers. Wide boards are placed first, then battens are used to cover the spaces between the boards. Log siding is expensive and requires more maintenance than most other types of house siding. Regular treatment against insect infestation and the sealing of cracks in logs are required to deter decay. Installation and maintenance of log siding is not unlike other forms of wood siding, but it is challenging and should be done by a professional or a knowledgeable homeowner. Engineered wood can be cut, handled, and applied like solid-wood siding, but you do not have the imperfections that often accompany real wood. In most cases, the initial material costs of stone are more than other types of siding—often considerably more. The level of difficulty in adding stone siding to an existing structure is high, and work should be done by a professional, which further increases costs. As time passes, however, the upside of the investment becomes clear. Stone as an exterior siding will be as natural and attractive decades later as when first installed, with little in the way of maintenance. Water can penetrate brick veneers, so it is important that a water membrane is installed between the wood and brick layers to protect the home. Due to the cost of installation and materials, brick is at the higher end of the siding cost scale. Under normal conditions, brick siding will last the life of the building, with nothing more than the occasional washing needed. Since no footings or foundations are necessary, do-it-yourself homeowners can generally install the siding panels themselves for a fraction of the money and time actual brick requires. Application generally involves a framework that is attached to a backing material such as plywood, but many products on the market today have simple instructions: Glue in place and caulk the seams. Fabricated stone siding panels can typically be DIY installed, as no footings or foundations are necessary. The application process is generally quicker and more cost-effective than that of real stone or rock. It usually involves a framework that is attached to a backing material such as plywood. For other stone veneer products on the market today, you can simply glue in place and caulk the seams. You will find that fiber cement siding is typically more expensive than vinyl siding but less than wood siding. It is installed over studs or exterior wall sheathing on a moisture barrier. Factory painting is highly recommended and generally warranted for 25 years.
