Types of Exterior Wood Siding

Choosing the right type of siding for your home can be a daunting task. There are many different styles to choose from, as well as many different materials. Exterior wood siding comes in different varieties of wood, and all of those varieties require some sort of maintenance over the life of the siding.

Wood siding needs to be caulked once in a while to keep it in good shape, and it also needs to be stained or painted periodically to prevent fading or cracking. Get tips on painting exterior trim and wood siding in this Lowe’s video:

Pine, spruce and fir are all different types of exterior wood siding. These three woods have been used for many years in home siding projects. They take well to stain and are often used when that is the plan for the siding. It can be less expensive than other types of wood, but it is not rot resistant. This means that it will need to be well maintained over the years to prevent any rot from happening. Cedar is another very common and popular type of siding that many people use. This type of wood is known for its good looks and rot resistance. This wood is also less prone to any kind of splitting or fading.

Clapboard is a style of exterior wood siding that is found on many homes. This simply means that the siding is put on in long horizontal boards. This is what most people choose because of the cost and the ease of installation and maintenance. Shakes are another style of wood siding that are put on in a more vertical pattern with smaller pieces. This can be a much more difficult installation, but it gives any home a very classic and elegant look.

Plywood and composition board are two other types of wood that can be used for exterior wood siding. These are not pieces of wood that come directly from one type of tree but rather are made up of multiple types that are pressed together. These types of siding can provide a very nice look and can be made to be more rot and insect resistant because they are manufactured. No matter what type of wood siding you choose, you should keep it maintained in order to prolong the life and protect your home.