How steeply pitched are your gables? How rugged do you prefer your shakes? These things have everything to do with the style and appeal of your home, which has everything to do with the siding you choose. Each siding style leaves its impression: good or bad. Determining which siding is the right fit for you depends on your home’s style, as well as how you feel about shapes, patterns and how they should interact on the outside of your home. The only wrong decision is a hasty one, so pour yourself a cup of coffee and let’s explore the various house siding options available to you.

Vinyl – This is probably the most popular choice for house siding based on how affordable it is. Vinyl siding is also quite durable, incredibly versatile and extremely easy to maintain, making it a favorite among home owners young and old. Vinyl siding is available in a number of different colors and styles, making it perfect to suit just about any house style.

Wood – For those who prefer a more rustic look than vinyl, wood is another popular choice among house siding options. Wood siding is very durable, provided it’s well maintained by the homeowner. Depending on the type of wood you choose, there is some ongoing maintenance required in order to keep the siding looking and performing at its very best. There are a number of different shapes and styles to choose from, including bevel, board and batten, as well as various color options.

Cedar Shake – The materials used in cedar shake siding are thin, hand-cut pieces of wood, which give a home a very beautiful, natural and somewhat rustic look. This style of house siding blends in nicely with rural or woodsy settings and is quite durable and long lasting. Cedar shake siding is also relatively low maintenance, but it’s more costly than some of the other options, like vinyl.

Hardie Plank – This type of house siding is made of fiber cement, which is a combination of wood and mineral. This material is designed to give the appearance of wood siding, but provide a much more durable home exterior that is weather and insect resistant as well as flame retardant. Like other types of siding, Hardie plank siding is available in a variety of different colors and styles to suit any home owner’s preferences. Price-wise, it is considered to be among the higher end of siding choices.

When it comes to house siding, the four options listed above are among the most popular for a number of reasons. The most important things to consider when choosing from the various types of siding that are available are your budget, your needs and your specific preferences. Once you have these things figured out you’ll be well on your way to selecting the ideal siding for your home.