Types Of Wood Siding

Wood siding is a popular type of siding that provides a rustic and natural aesthetic to your home. There are a variety of different types of wood that can be used as siding, each of which possesses a unique set of advantages and drawbacks. Understanding what each type of wood siding can offer your home can help you choose the one that best fits your needs.

Pine Siding 

Pine siding is the most common type of wood siding on the market, because it is widely available and fairly affordable as a building material. Pine is absorbent, and can be easily painted or stained a wide variety of colors, allowing you to customize the appearance of the outside of your home. However, pine is susceptible to water damage, and needs to be regularly painted and sealed to prevent water from causing pine boards to warp, bend, or develop rot, all of which can require your siding to be replaced.

Spruce Siding

Spruce siding is another common type of wood used for siding on homes. Spruce lumber is affordable, and comes in longer lengths than pine siding, which can make it better for installation on larger homes. However, just like pine siding, spruce has to be regularly stained and sealed to prevent warping and rot from damaging the wood.

Cedar Siding

Cedar is a more durable wood when compared to pine. Cedar holds its shape much better than pine does after water exposure, and is highly resistant to rot and mold growth, which can help your siding maintain its structural integrity over the long term. Furthermore, cedar is also resistant to pest infestations. This can help save you money on maintenance and repairs on your siding. However, it should be noted that cedar should still be stained, sealed, or painted regularly, as extended water and weather exposure can still cause damage to the wood.

Redwood Siding

Redwood is similar to cedar, but provides the same benefits to a greater degree. Redwood is extremely resistant to shrinking and water damage, and will resist pest infestations throughout the wood. It also absorbs paint and stains to a greater degree than other types of wood will, which means that they will wear away less after weather exposure, requiring less maintenance to maintain the appearance of your home. However, because redwood lumber is not a common building material, redwood siding can be more expensive when compared to its pine and cedar counterparts.