Siding is also one of the first things you notice about a home; it can and should be beautiful! Choosing siding for your new home offers you many choices in materials, textures, and colors. The options are nearly limitless. With today’s materials, there are very few limitations. So what style do you have in mind: board and batten, shake shingles, clapboard, stucco, or perhaps a rustic log home look?
Beyond appearance, siding also serves a functional purpose being the outermost part of your home. It’s the first defense against rain, snow, and wind. This is especially important considering Northern Michigan’s harsh winters! Think of siding as armor for your house. It protects your insulation and the underlying structure of your walls from the elements, helps reduce noise, and can add to the structural integrity of your home. Siding also plays a role in retaining warmth in the winter and keeping the heat out in the summer.
Types of Siding For Your Home
Most homes will use a combination of materials to achieve your desired look. When deciding on siding options, you should consider aesthetics, energy efficiency, durability, and maintenance.
Brick
Brick is a classic choice. It is durable, low-maintenance, and holds up to extreme conditions. Often it is used as an accent material. Brick veneer is another option that gives the appearance of brick at a lower cost.
Stone
Stone siding gives a stunning appearance. Like brick, it is typically used as an accent. The styles and color options are available in either genuine or cultured. Weather and insect resistance is excellent, and insulation values vary.
Wood Siding
Real Cedar is a beautiful and smart choice for siding. Cedar is a durable wood that is naturally resistant to rot, decay, and insects and has good insulation properties. These natural properties mean whatever you build with it will last longer and require less maintenance. In addition, natural Cedar is beautiful, versatile, and is a sustainable building product.
Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood siding, like LP Smart Siding, is a composite material made from natural wood and enhanced to make it more robust, durable, and versatile than traditional wood. Like traditional wood, LP Smart Siding has an insulation R-value greater than conventional vinyl siding. Additional advantages include fire, water, and impact resistance, and it is safe from insect damage.
Fiber-Cement Siding
Fiber-cement siding offers the look of wood at a lower cost. However, it has a different insulation value than other materials can offer. It also requires more maintenance (painting and caulking) and can absorb moisture. Chipping and cracking are other long-term concerns.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is the least expensive option but also the least durable. In addition, it is more prone to wind damage than other materials. It is available in various styles, colors, and textures.
Final Thoughts
When choosing siding, you will want to consider the overall appearance of your home. What color roofing as well as trim? What about landscaping or lightscaping? All of these influence the overall look of your home, and small changes can have a dramatic effect.
Please view our portfolio to see examples of some of the finest homes in Northern Michigan.
Are you ready to make your dream home a reality? Let our experience guide you through selecting the right siding style and materials.
Call us today or use the Contact form to start planning your new home!