Types of Siding: 7 Materials Compared
Everything that goes on the outside of your house, side by side — what it costs, how long it lasts, and how much work it'll actually be.
If you've started looking into new siding, you've probably noticed pretty fast that there's no single "best" option — just a pile of trade-offs between what things cost up front, what they cost you later, and how much time you want to spend maintaining the outside of your house. A guy down the street might swear by cedar because it looks incredible on his craftsman bungalow, and that's genuinely true, right up until you ask him how often he's out there restaining it. This guide walks through the seven materials you'll actually run into while shopping, in plain terms, so you can narrow things down before you ever call a contractor.
Quick Comparison
Installed cost is a rough U.S. national average — yours will depend on your region, home, and contractor.
| Material | Installed Cost | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vinyl | $11–$17/sq ft | 20–40 yrs | Very low |
| Fiber Cement | $16–$22/sq ft | 30–50 yrs | Low |
| Wood | $14–$20/sq ft | 20–40 yrs | High |
| Engineered Wood | $13–$19/sq ft | 20–30 yrs | Low–Moderate |
| Aluminum | $10–$15/sq ft | 30–50 yrs | Moderate |
| Brick Veneer | $9–$30/sq ft | 50–100+ yrs | Very low |
| Stucco | $9–$16/sq ft | 50–80 yrs | Low–Moderate |
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01Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is what most people picture when they think "siding," and there's a reason it covers more American homes than anything else on this list: it's affordable, it doesn't rot, and it almost never needs anything more than a hose-down once a year. It comes in dozens of colors and profiles now, including styles that do a decent job faking the look of cedar shakes or board-and-batten from the curb.
The trade-off is that it's plastic, so it can crack in a hard freeze if something hits it, and it won't ever look quite like real wood up close. Cheaper vinyl can also fade a shade or two over the years in direct sun. Still, for the price and the near-zero upkeep, it's a hard combination to beat, especially if you're not planning to stay in the house forever.
See what vinyl siding would run for your home.
Vinyl Siding Calculator → -
02Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is cement, sand, and wood fibers pressed into boards, and it's become the go-to choice for people who want the look of real wood without wood's problems. It doesn't rot, it's not interesting to termites, and it holds up to fire and hail a lot better than vinyl does. Most of it comes factory-primed or pre-finished, and a lot of newer subdivisions use it almost exclusively now.
It costs more than vinyl, both for the material and the labor — it's heavy, and cutting it right takes a specific blade and some dust control, so installers charge more for their time. It's also not a weekend DIY project the way vinyl can sometimes be. But if you want something that still looks sharp in twenty years with minimal fuss, this is usually the answer.
Get board counts and cost for fiber cement, including HardiePlank-style siding.
Fiber Cement Calculator → -
03Wood Siding
Nothing else really looks like real wood, and if you're after that warm, natural look — cedar shingles on a coastal cottage, board-and-batten on a modern farmhouse — wood siding is still the material that sells the style. Cedar in particular has natural oils that resist rot and bugs better than most other woods, which is part of why it's stayed popular for over a century.
The honest downside is maintenance. Wood needs to be stained, sealed, or painted on a schedule, and skipping a few years can mean warping, cracking, or rot that costs real money to fix. It's also usually pricier than vinyl and needs a more careful installer. If you love the look and don't mind the upkeep — or you're planning to hire someone for it every few years anyway — it's worth it. If "low maintenance" is non-negotiable for you, it's probably not the right fit.
Estimate boards and cost for cedar, pine, or shiplap siding.
Wood Siding Calculator → -
04Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood (LP SmartSide is the name you'll hear most) is built from wood strands bonded together with resin, then primed at the factory. The idea is to give you the warmth of real wood siding without wood's tendency to warp or rot, and for the most part it delivers — it's noticeably more stable than solid wood and usually comes with a long manufacturer warranty.
It still needs paint, and cut edges have to be sealed to keep moisture out, so it's not quite as hands-off as vinyl or fiber cement. But it sits in a nice middle spot: closer to real wood in appearance than vinyl, usually a bit cheaper than fiber cement, and far less fussy than solid wood siding over the long run.
Get an estimate for engineered wood board sizing and cost.
Engineered Wood Calculator → -
05Aluminum Siding
Aluminum had its heyday from the 1940s through the '70s, and while it's been mostly replaced by vinyl in new construction, it's still manufactured — mainly for repairing or extending homes that already have it. It won't burn, rot, or attract termites, and unlike vinyl it doesn't go brittle in cold weather.
What it will do is dent. A stray baseball or an aggressive hailstorm can leave a mark that vinyl would've just shrugged off, and once it's dented, it usually needs to be replaced rather than popped back out. It also needs repainting every decade or two as the factory finish chalks and fades. If you've got an older aluminum-sided home, patch panels can be the bigger challenge — profiles and colors from forty years ago aren't always easy to match.
Estimate panels and cost for aluminum siding.
Aluminum Siding Calculator → -
06Brick Veneer
Full structural brick walls aren't really a residential siding choice anymore — what you'll see today is brick veneer, a single layer of brick (or thin brick) built in front of a standard wood-framed wall. It's about as low-maintenance as siding gets: no painting, no staining, and it can genuinely last the life of the house with nothing more than the occasional mortar repair.
The catch is cost. Full brick veneer is one of the most expensive options on this list, both for materials and for the skilled labor it takes to install correctly. Thin brick veneer narrows that gap quite a bit while keeping most of the look, which is why it's become a popular accent choice on porches and gable ends even on homes sided in something else.
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07Stucco
Stucco is a cement-based plaster applied wet directly over a wire mesh and building wrap, and it's the signature look of Spanish, Mediterranean, and Southwest-style homes for good reason — it can be shaped and textured in ways board siding just can't. Traditional three-coat stucco, done right, holds up for decades.
It's at its best in dry climates. In places with heavy rain or freeze-thaw cycles, stucco is more prone to cracking, and water that gets behind it can cause real damage before you'd ever notice from outside. Synthetic stucco (EIFS) addresses some of this with a foam backing and better drainage, but it's a different product with its own installation requirements — worth asking specifically which type a contractor is quoting.
How to Actually Choose
Honestly, most people end up choosing with three questions, in this order:
What's your budget, really? Not just for installation — for the next twenty years. Vinyl is cheap now and stays cheap. Wood is mid-range now and adds up over time with upkeep. Brick is expensive now and basically free afterward.
What's your climate doing to a house? Coastal salt air, freeze-thaw winters, and desert sun all punish materials differently. A contractor who's worked in your area for years will usually know which materials actually hold up locally, regardless of what's trending nationally.
How much upkeep are you honestly willing to do? Be straight with yourself here. If you know you won't get around to restaining wood every few years, don't buy wood siding and hope future-you handles it.
Once you've picked a material, get real numbers for your home.
Use the Siding Calculator →Common Questions
What's the cheapest siding material?
Vinyl is typically the least expensive option both to buy and to install, which is a big part of why it's the most common siding material in the U.S. Aluminum runs close behind it. Stucco can also come in on the lower end, especially for new construction where it's easier to apply than retrofitting it onto an existing wall.
What siding lasts the longest?
Brick veneer and stucco typically outlast everything else, often lasting 50 years or more with only minor repairs. Among the board and panel materials, fiber cement and aluminum tend to have the longest service life, frequently lasting 30 to 50 years.
What siding needs the least maintenance?
Vinyl and brick veneer need the least ongoing attention — vinyl because it never needs painting, and brick because it's essentially inert. Fiber cement comes close behind, usually needing repainting far less often than solid wood.
Can I mix siding materials on one house?
Yes, and it's common — using a different material or color on gable ends, dormers, or an accent wall is a popular way to add visual interest without paying to side the whole house in a pricier material. Just make sure whoever's installing it knows how to properly flash and seal the transitions between materials, since that's where water problems tend to start.