There are a lot of ways to boost the curb appeal of your home – building extra bedrooms, adding a new deck, adding a high-end front gate, to name a few. However, one of the simplest and most sure-fire ways to add curb appeal is by updating or adding siding to your home.
Siding for houses is like buying a fancy new outfit. Your entire home will look completely different than it did before. Siding will make your home unrecognizable, in a good way. Your “wow” factor will immediately be evident. And the value of your home will rise as well.
Types of Siding
You have a lot of options when it comes to siding. Your budget, your home style and your personal preferences will help guide your decision. Here are some of your options:
Fiber Cement: A composite material that is durable and looks great. J&W Lumber carries James Hardie siding, a favorite of homeowners and contractors alike. Fiber cement is gaining popularity with homeowners in coastal areas in particular, as its resistance to water and salt make it a great choice for longevity.
Shake: Looking for a rustic look? Classic shake siding can give your home a traditional feel – and it’s affordable too. Shake siding will give you that rustic East Coast look filled with timeless charm. It’s understated and simple, and it never goes out of style.
Wood: There’s nothing quite like natural wood. J&W Lumber offers the most popular wood siding patterns in a wide range of redwood and cedar grades – all stainable and paintable so you can keep your home looking fresh year after year. And if you can dream it, we can do it. J&W can custom mill any type of wood to your exact specifications.
Hardwood: Looking for something modern and elegant? Durable and gorgeous hardwoods like Mangaris and Brazilian Ipe are in a class of their own. Hardwoods retain hard lines and edges better than softwood, making them perfect for horizontal siding.
Metal: Protection, durability and cost-friendliness are the hallmarks of metal siding – but they’re also gaining popularity as modern style.
Composite: Low-maintenance and longevity with a natural look. Composite siding materials are one of the most popular options for homeowners across the country.
Check out more cool new trends in house siding.
Add Some Color
Siding also gives you the ability to truly customize your home with color. Between the siding itself and the trim around your windows and doors, you can make your home fit your style. There are two ways to customize your siding color – material and paint. Siding comes in a variety of materials from natural wood to stucco to composite and metal. Each has its own distinct look and feel. Painting – both your siding and your trim – is where you make your home your own. Some siding materials can be painted, and trim can always be painted and repainted to give a defining outline to the structure that will show off the home’s lines and angles.
Custom Siding
While there is a wide range of siding products available for you to create the look you want, sometimes you need something a little closer to (your) home. Many homeowners put off getting siding because they are hesitant to do something completely new. If you want your siding to be an exact match with other features of your home, J&W Lumber can custom mill just about any type of wood to match what you already have, from softwoods like Redwood and Cedar to hardwoods like Mangaris and Ipe. Simply bring us a sample of what you want, and we’ll get to work.
Give your house a facelift with new siding.
Shelter from the Storm
New siding looks great and will immediately boost your home’s curb appeal and value. But looks aren’t the only benefit. Some siding – especially hardwood – include a “climate shield” that protects your home from moisture. The climate shield includes three layers: The house wrap – a plastic/paper lining that sits directly on the sides of your home, the rain screen – small buffers that create space and airflow, and the siding itself. The small gap in between the structure and the siding panels allows rain and air to flow freely, speeding the drying process to avoid warping from moisture. Your siding will last longer, making your home more valuable over the long term.
In other parts of the country – the East and Midwest – siding is everywhere. Here in Southern California, however, it seems to be an afterthought for most homeowners. Sure, we have great weather and very little rain, but siding is more than a weatherproofing of your home – it’s a facelift that will give it a completely new personality.
the contemporary building you show above…what is that material? That is what I am looking for.
Hi Susan- thank you for your commment, that is a wood siding like Mangaris Red or Ipe, you can also use Cedar or a faux wood product. Just keep in mind with wood products you will need to restain every few years