laminate countertops<\/a> in that it results in a surface that is lightweight and cheaper than the material it attempts to emulate (wood).<\/p>\n\n\n\nAnother benefit of composite siding is that it\u2019s easy to repaint, unlike other materials such as vinyl.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the downside, composite wood requires proper sealing. Without this, the material can soak up moisture very easily, which causes unsightly warping and swelling.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exterior Plywood Siding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cost: $3.50-$4.75 per square foot<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exterior plywood siding is a step-up from composite wood siding. It\u2019s still fairly light and is less likely to fray at the ends than some types of solid wood. Improvements in the plywood manufacturing process have made the material more durable and available in an array of attractive styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On the downside, it\u2019s still not quite solid wood. If you\u2019re going for an old rustic cabin aesthetic, it might not be entirely suitable. Because plywood is made from several layers of material, it also requires a fair bit of expertise to cut properly. As such, you can expect to pay a bit more on installation than you would for some types of composite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Solid Wood Siding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cost: $8-$20 per square foot<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Of course, we\u2019d be remiss to go without mentioning solid wood siding. For those seeking a very specific aesthetic (and an authentic version of it at that), there\u2019s no other option. In fact, nearly every other option (with the exception of stone) attempts to mimic wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Wood comes in so many different varieties that all have a different feel and function. The material also lends itself well to being stained or repainted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
It\u2019s also very easy to find workers capable of installing wood since it is one of the most popular materials on the market. Lastly on the positive side, solid wood siding is very environmentally-friendly. It doesn\u2019t get much greener than wood.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with butcher\u2019s block countertops, though, there are many, many downsides to wood. For one, it harbors bacteria and insects. You need to seal it regularly in order to avoid having these undesirables fester in your siding. Further, if you don\u2019t reseal and repaint wood siding, it is prone to rotting, warping, and water damage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As with butcher\u2019s block countertops, those considering solid wood sidings need to think very carefully about whether it\u2019s a practical choice for their climate and lifestyle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exterior Shiplap Siding<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Cost: $2.50-$7.00 per square foot<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lastly, we have exterior shiplap siding. In some cases, this does fall under the category of \u201cwood\u201d but it is a very specific type of wood containing grooves and tabs that allow the boards to be fit neatly together. This creates a sleek, often contemporary look that can be difficult to achieve with other wood siding products.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Cedar is a popular shiplap material, as is pine. You can also find types of shiplap that combine different woods.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While shiplap was originally popular as an exterior material, you\u2019ll also see it quite frequently in interior applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Shiplap\u2019s modular nature does make it more difficult to repair damage on individual pieces. You may need to replace entire sections in the case of such damage. The deep grooves in shiplap can also be difficult to keep free of debris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you do go with shiplap, be sure to get it properly installed. Otherwise, it\u2019s prone to warping.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\nHow do you paint exterior siding?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Some types of siding do not lend themselves well to painting. On vinyl siding, for example, paint tends to crack and chip with greater ease. You can overcome this by using lighter colors (which attract less heat) and paints that contain acrylic and urethane.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You should begin by cleaning the siding thoroughly before priming as needed and then applying two coats of paint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you install exterior siding?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Vinyl is one of the few DIY-friendly siding materials as far as installation goes. The pieces nail directly onto the underlying surface although you may need to cut them to size if your home hardware store does not do that for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Other materials (particularly wood and stone) require expert installation. If you attempt to install them yourself and make a mistake, your siding will be prone to warping and cracking that allows moisture in, which compromises your home\u2019s structural integrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
How do you repair a hole in exterior wood siding?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Wood filler does a pretty good job of covering up holes in your exterior wood siding — as long as you paint it properly afterward. If the hole is on a joint (such as near your windows or doors), you should also apply caulking to seal it from moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n