Updating your home’s exterior gives it new life and enhanced curb appeal. The question is what materials should you use when siding your home? For many homeowners, wood siding remains a top choice, though there are both pros and cons to consider before making a final decision
Regardless of which type of material you choose, it can make a big difference in restoring your home’s natural beauty or modernizing it with a whole new look.
Pros of Wood Siding
Easy to Match Existing Siding
Composite siding may offer a variety of trendy tones and textures. However, there’s the chance the manufacturer may not offer the same product in the future. Therefore, when you need to replace boards or update whole sections of your house siding, you may not be able to find a perfect match.
Whereas, with wood siding, it’s easy to match the existing patterns. Homeowners can count on it to always be accessible at their local lumberyard whenever they need individual board replacements to keep their home exterior in good shape.
More Freedom to Customize
There are also several options when using wood siding compared to composite, starting with board size. There are thin boards, wider boards, and different species and different siding patterns to match your budget and the overall appearance you want.
Create a rustic finish or opt for a high-end, luxurious feel by using hardwood such as Ipe, Mangaris Red, or Borneo Mahogany. You can also choose to side the entire house or use wood siding as an accent wall, which is a popular trend among Southern California neighborhoods.
Natural, Sustainable Resource
Another advantage of using wood for your house siding is that it’s a natural resource. It will eventually decompose and return to the earth, allowing you to lessen your carbon footprint.
Cons of Wood Siding
Requires Additional Maintenance
Wood siding requires significantly more maintenance than composite. Composite siding requires little more than a rinse of the boards to keep them clean.
However, wood siding gets weathered, especially the parts that are most exposed to the sun. These boards will need to be maintained and/or replaced more frequently.
To preserve the longevity, siding stains add life to the wood and make it more resistant to UV degradation, mold and mildew, and harsh weather elements.
Not Approved for Ground Contact
Wood siding isn’t approved to extend to the ground. This is due to the chance of the wood boards absorbing moisture when in contact with soil, which can accelerate decay and attract pests.
Some manufactured boards are approved for ground contact, so if that’s an important factor, composite will likely be your preferred choice.
Not Recommended As a DIY Project
There’s an extra expense of working with a professional contractor to install wood siding. It’s not recommended as a DIY project because incorrect installation can lead to water damage issues.
Is Wood Siding Right for You?
After you’ve weighed the pros and cons of wood siding, explore your options when it comes to all house siding products, wood materials, siding stains, custom milling, and more.
See your vision come to life by stopping by your local J&W Lumber store today.