Your siding contractor can help you choose the right siding for your home. While it may seem easy to choose one type of siding, there are several factors you have to consider.
Material and color are often the first factors. From vinyl to fiber cement, there is a siding material that’s sure to match your need for home protection, longevity and looks that match your budget.
Whether you’re building a new home or undergoing a storm damage restoration project, you’ll also need to choose the right color. Color depends on several factors as well, including the style of your home, the prevalent colors in your neighborhood, the color of your roof and other home components, and your personal preference.
One aspect of siding choice that’s not often discussed is the pattern or profile. There are three major patterns:
Horizontal
The most common siding pattern is horizontal. Horizontal siding is effective against rain and snow as it doesn’t easily allow penetration. The three most popular horizontal siding options are:
- Traditional lap – The siding boards are partially layered on top of the next board in a traditional lap setup. It’s great for areas where strong rains are common as they offer maximum protection. Traditional lap is usually the most affordable option.
- Dutch lap – This may look like traditional lap, but Dutch lap siding has a groove at the top of each board. The shadow in the groove gives the appearance of added texture. It’s just as effective as traditional lap.
- Beaded – If you want something with more texture, beaded boards have a “bead” at the bottom that provide that look.
Vertical
Some homes and other buildings have a style that looks better with vertical siding. Here are the most popular designs:
- Panel – Placed on top of each other, with flush surfaces, panel siding is the vertical equivalent of traditional lap.
- Board and batten – This is a traditional vertical siding that was once exclusively made of wood. To provide waterproofing, the boards have battens to cover the cracks. The profile is attractive, thanks to the shadow cast by the raised battens.
Shake
Shake patterns are installed mostly for the accent. They used to be all wood shakes. The most preferred designs are square, round (semicircular lower edge), staggered (maximum texture), half cove (quarter-circular cut out on bottom two edges), fish scale, mitered corner and octagonal and hexagonal.
Insulated siding is more effective for keeping interiors comfortable and improving a home’s energy efficiency.
AQ Roofing LLC can install and maintain your siding. We are a trusted gutter installation contractor as well. Call us today at (501) 951-1683, or use our contact form to get your free quote.