How to Choose the Best Exterior Siding Panels for Your Project

On average, homeowners spend between $5,000-$16,000 to replace the siding on their homes. Now for most people, that’s not an insignificant amount of money and is one of the bigger purchases they’ll make for their home. 

Because it’s such an investment for your home, you want to make the right choice and get a material you’ll be happy with (both functionally and aesthetically) for years to come. With so many options on the market, it’s hard to know which one will be best for your specific house. 

We’ve narrowed down the things to look at for your exterior siding panels when making this decision. Follow this guide to find the perfect solution! 

Weather Accommodations

There are so many different climates across our country. Each region comes with its own benefits and challenges when it comes to the weather, it’s important to know what yours is when making your siding choices. 

Some areas are prone to a lot more rain than others, so those homeowners will want a siding that’s more waterproof. Others get a lot of wind, those homeowners will want to choose something that doesn’t show all of the dirt and dust that will stick to the home. There’s a siding that’s best suited for each type of weather, it’s about finding the right one! 

Ease of Installation

A lot of home projects can be done on your own, without the help of a professional. Replacing the siding can sometimes be one of those, depending on the type you choose and how much work you’d like to put in. 

Or you could choose to have a professional handle the siding project for you (highly recommend!) in which case you should factor in those costs and time into your decision. Not every installation process is the same and some will take much longer than others. If you’re on a time crunch, you’ll obviously want to make a decision based on that timeline. 

Overall Design Style

Arguably, the siding you choose for your home has the biggest impact on the overall curb appeal. It sets the tone for the rest of the design decisions and accents you choose to add. Make the wrong choice and the whole look will be off. 

Factory Direct Siding is a great resource for finding options that will help you achieve your dream look. 

A great way to determine what the end result you’re going for is to find inspiration photos. You can pull ideas from your collection to create a unique, truly you home design. Choosing the right siding gives you a backdrop to make your home truly shine with all of your other choices. 

Compatible With Other Materials 

Siding isn’t the only element in an exterior design plan. Usually, homes have a mixture of materials to create whatever feel or style they’re going for. This combination keeps things interesting and unique. 

In order for you to be able to pull off your design, you’ll want to keep these other materials in mind when making your exterior siding choice. This would include the time used for casement treatment or door openings, accent stone, and lighting. The wrong siding with all of the choices will make the house look disjointed and unfinished. 

Everything doesn’t have to match perfectly, but it should all feel cohesive and like it came from the same family. 

Average Lifetime

Since new exterior siding panels are a large investment, homeowners understandably want them to last for as long as possible. Luckily, most options are designed to have a long life and only need to be replaced after several years. But it’s worth making sure you’re choosing a sustainable option. 

This isn’t just referring to how structurally sound the panels can stay but also how well they hold up and look over time. You don’t want to spend the time looking for the perfect color and texture of siding only for it to fade after a short period. 

The best siding option is one that will look like new (or clean up to that) for as long as possible! 

Energy Efficiency 

Not many people consider exterior siding when they think about making their home more energy-efficient, but it can be a helpful step to lowering monthly bills and being more environmentally friendly. 

Some siding materials are more heat-resistant than others and make it easier to regulate the temperature in your home than others. It’s helpful to look up the R-value to determine if your choice is considered more energy-efficient or not. This can also help you determine whether you’ll need a specific type of insulation combined with the siding or not. 

Budget Accommodations

For most homeowners, there isn’t an unlimited amount of money to spend on every house project that needs to be completed. And usually, there’s more than one project going on at a time. That’s why it’s super important to keep your budget in mind when making exterior siding decisions. 

Make sure you take into account the whole project and not only the materials in the budget. This would include any labor from a professional installer if you choose to use one. As well as any other upgrades you’re making to the exterior like new lighting or doors. 

Exterior siding materials come in a wide range of budget options, so you’re sure to be able to find something that’s in your price range. 

Choosing the Best Exterior Siding Panels

Being a homeowner can sometimes feeling like you’re constantly having to make decisions and spend money on upkeep. Luckily, choosing new exterior siding panels doesn’t have to be difficult when you follow this guide. 

The best part about a siding project is that it’s almost like getting a completely new house. They have the ability to completely change the entire look of the house, whether with a whole new design style or a fresh, new face. It’s one of the biggest bangs for your buck as a homeowner!

If you’re interested in learning more about home design and maintenance, check out our other articles today!