Stucco is part of the signature design for many Southern California homes. It’s been used for decades as one of the main exterior cladding materials due to its durability, availability, and suitability for warm, dry climates, which is why it’s more prevalent in this region of the country than others. Because of this, SoCal homeowners don’t often consider house siding as an alternative when updating their property. It’s typically easy and inexpensive to replace the stucco a home was originally built with, though it doesn’t provide the same design benefits as siding.
With house siding, you can instantly transform the look and feel and differentiate your home from the rest of the neighborhood. In addition, with advancements in technology there are many long-lasting, rot-resistant, and low-maintenance siding solutions that can enhance a home’s curb appeal. If you’re ready to get rid of your stucco and make the switch to siding, there are two determining factors to consider, which are neighborhood and home design.
You’ll want to check with your homeowners’ association to confirm major exterior changes are permitted for your community. Also, if most of the homes in your area have similar styles, you may not want to embark on a complete design overhaul as it may change your property’s value and allure.
Next, consider your personal design preference. Are you ready for a full renovation or will a smaller refresh do the trick? Switching from stucco to house siding makes it easy to overhaul an entire design, although you may determine that adding a subtle accent to the entryway is the only change you need. With so many options to consider, a little can go a long way when introducing house siding to your home’s exterior.
Determining which siding option works best
Once you decide to transition from stucco to siding, there are two main categories available – wood siding and manufactured. Choosing between the two depends on the look and feel you want for your home. Natural wood siding adds warmth, while manufactured or composite siding delivers a more modern appeal. Also, similar to decking, wood options often require more maintenance with staining. Whereas, manufactured products often require less upkeep, depending on the brand.
When working with these options alone, there are multiple colors, textures, and design trends to draw from and inspire your own customized look. For example, white siding with black accents is a popular design choice, offering a timeless appeal. Alternatively, using contrasting board colors like red, brown, and gray is one of the recent manufactured siding trends to create a modern appeal.
Alternatively, metal siding is also a newer trend to consider, particularly if you live in a high fire area. Most metal siding is rated as noncombustible and is considered one of the best materials to reduce fire damage, and it delivers a sharp and sleek appearance. Fiber cement siding is another fire-resistant option that still offers plenty of design options to personalize the aesthetic you want to achieve.
Looking at your home in a new light
Stucco will always be a constant in SoCal structural design, but you can breathe new life into your home when siding comes into play. Once you’ve decided which style works best, your contractor can bring project measurements to one of our stores to source materials. Our specialists are ready to help you switch from stucco to siding as simply as possible and create a lasting, optimal look. Stop by your local J&W Lumber location today.
Interesting and informative Article! Exterior cracking and flaking is a common stucco concern. Caulking that is missing or chipped. Around windows, doors, electrical boxes, pipelines, meters, and spotlights, there are rips and various stains.
This article provides a helpful breakdown of the key differences between wood and manufactured siding! The mention of contrasting board colors for a modern aesthetic with manufactured siding is a great tip. For homeowners who are particularly interested in the longevity and lower maintenance of manufactured siding, are there any specific brands or materials you recommend that offer a wide range of design options to achieve the desired look?