How To Choose a Siding Profile for Your Exterior

Doing your research before starting a siding replacement project can help maximize your returns on investment (ROIs). In addition to the siding materials that are best suited to your local climate, it’s also important to do your research on the siding profiles that complement your exterior. Remember: when it comes to exterior design, consistency is key. 

Vertical and horizontal siding are two of the most popular siding profiles. Precision #1 Contractors Inc., your trusted exterior remodeling and stucco remediation contractor, elaborates on the pros and cons of each siding profile below: 

Vertical Siding and the Illusion of a Taller Exterior

Vertical siding (also known as board and batten siding) is commonly used in house designs in the Midwest and on the West Coast and homey architectural styles such as Country and Cottage style homes. This siding profile gives the illusion of a taller exterior and has fewer maintenance needs than horizontal siding, making it a smart choice if you want your home to appear larger or want siding maintenance to be more convenient. Here’s a tip: neutral siding colors can help enhance the illusion. 

Important note: keep in mind that low maintenance doesn’t mean “no” maintenance. As a general rule, siding should be inspected and cleaned at least once a year, particularly in damp, shady areas that are the perfect breeding ground for mold and mildew. Through routine maintenance and inspections, contractors can conduct repairs or stucco remediation before underlying issues affect other parts of your home. 

Horizontal Siding and Traditional Exterior Designs

Horizontal or lap siding is often used in traditional and Colonial-style house designs and comes in a wide variety of colors and shades you can use to add a personal touch to a traditional exterior. 

What Are Your Other Options?

Here’s an overview of other siding profiles you might want to consider: 

• Log siding – As the name suggests, log siding mimics the appearance of cabin logs and is often used in rustic homes.
• Dutchlap siding – During the day, the curves on Dutchlap siding create distinct shadow lines that can help your home stand out. This siding profile is often used in Craftsman and French Colonial homes.
• Clapboard siding – Clapboard siding mimics the look and feel of natural wood and is often used in architectural styles commonly found in rural settings. These architectural styles include Cape Cod, Georgian, Queen Anne, and Folk Victorian-style homes.

Here’s a tip: to quickly narrow down your options, make a shortlist of the siding profiles commonly used in your home’s architectural style. After all, there’s a reason why certain siding profiles have been featured in architectural styles for years: it’s because they work so well together. Alternatively, you can consult one of your local exterior and roofing contractors. 

Choosing a Color Scheme for Your New Siding

The same applies to siding colors: certain color combinations have been traditionally used in architectural styles. By compiling a shortlist of colors commonly used in your home’s architectural style, you can quickly narrow down your options. For instance, moss green and white, dark gray and white, and cream and blue are color combinations that are often found in Craftsman-style homes. 

 If you want to add a bit of personality to your exterior, there’s also the option of mixing siding textures. Keep in mind coordinating different textures and colors can be tricky. That’s why if you’re having trouble choosing a color scheme, you shouldn’t hesitate to consult one of your local exterior and roofing contractors. 

Keeping Your Home’s Curb Appeal Intact with James Hardie® ColorPlus® Technology

Over time, exposure to ultraviolet rays may eventually cause your siding’s colors to fade and lower your home’s curb appeal. To protect your home’s curb, we recommend installing James Hardie® siding with ColorPlus® Technology. Thanks to the stronger bond between the paint and the siding panels, James Hardie siding colors can last longer than a typical paint job.  

What Are the Other Things to Consider When Choosing a Siding Replacement?

• Energy efficiency – Installing energy-efficient siding can help lower your utility costs.  Popular energy-efficient siding materials are wood (this material is naturally insulative), fiber cement (this material is made from cement materials or wood fibers, which retain wood’s natural insulation), and vinyl (manufacturers often add a layer of insulation to vinyl siding to increase its R-value or ability to prevent heat transfer).
• Maintenance needs – If you just don’t have the time for chores like siding maintenance, you should consider installing low-maintenance siding, like fiber cement siding or stucco.
• Durability – No matter how durable your siding is, it’s unlikely to last long if it can’t handle the local climate. That’s why it’s important to choose siding that’s suitable to your local climate.

Using the HardieZone® System

Alternatively, you can use the HardieZone® system to choose the type of siding that’s best suited to your area. The HardieZone system is based on the eight environmental factors that can affect your siding’s lifespan. These are rain, snow, hurricanes, hail, temperature range, humidity, UV exposure, and topographical factors. 

The HardieZone system is made up of 10 climate zones, which were used to design siding that can handle a particular climate type. Here’s an overview of the different climate zones and the siding series specifically designed for them: 

• Climate Zones 1 to 5 – The HZ5® Siding was specifically designed for climate zones 1 to 5, which experience extreme temperature variations. Thanks to its superior paint adhesion and drip edge, the HZ5® series has excellent resistance against ice, snow, and sub-zero temperatures.
• Climate Zones 6 to 10 – Areas that fall under climate zones 6 to 10 frequently experience high humidity and strong winds and are usually situated near the coast. The HZ10® siding series is designed especially to withstand cracking, splitting, rotting, swelling, and even flame spread.

To learn more about your options, consult your local contractor. Since they’re more familiar with the local climate, they can make better recommendations. 

Vetting Contractors

One more thing: to make sure your siding replacement is installed correctly and your ROIs are protected, always vet a contractor before hiring them. This is to make sure they’re qualified for the job: 

• Focus your search on contractors near you – To quickly narrow down your options, limit your search to local contractors. Hiring local also has other advantages. For starters, they are known for their personalized service. Not to mention they can quickly arrive at the worksite faster than contractors from out of state.
• Check their online reviews – To further narrow down your options, check local contractors’ online reviews, which should give you a good idea of the level of service you can expect.
• Ask how long the contractor has been in business – The number of years a contractor has been working in the industry should give you a good idea of their level of expertise.
• Check their certifications – Certifications are proof a contractor has undergone vetting by manufacturers or independent non-profits. In a sense, they’ve already done all the vetting work for you. Certified contractors also offer exclusive warranties that can help increase your ROIs. For instance, James Hardie Preferred™ remodelers offer an exclusive ten-year warranty that’s completely backed by the manufacturer.

Looking for certified contractors near you? 

Precision #1 Contractors Inc., a James Hardie Preferred™ remodeler with over 15 years of experience, offers a wide range of professional exterior services, including roofing and siding services. We also offer premium James Hardie siding and quality stucco siding. To schedule a consultation, call us at (215) 364-5115 or fill out this form. Talk to us today!