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Wood Siding Alternatives: The Better Choice for Structural Protection

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Wood siding alternatives provide benefits on many levels. Lower maintenance, less flammability, paint-free styles, better protection — whatever your top priority is, there are wood siding alternatives that can tackle the toughest challenges and outperform traditional wood.

Each material has slightly different pros and cons that can be assessed to choose the right wood alternative siding for your structure. If you’re on the fence about swapping out old wood siding for something updated, this article will provide everything you need to know to make the switch confidently and achieve superior structural protection for your home.

The Necessity of Reliable Wood Siding Alternatives

Close-up showing damage to house siding between two windows.

Wood siding is no longer considered the standard siding choice for modern homes — construction technologies and material innovations have allowed builders to make huge strides in terms of structurally sound homebuilding. Prioritizing having long-lasting siding with a greater lifespan is not just a smart choice for your wallet, but a more sustainable option as well.

Wood siding is known to require laborious upkeep to maintain its original beauty. Painting, staining and fixing the caulk on wood siding are tasks that need to be done every few years at least. Otherwise, wood siding starts to deteriorate, lose its luster and put the building at risk.

The reason why wood is so fragile really comes down to its natural components. In a natural setting, wood absorbs moisture, which makes traditional wood siding extremely susceptible to moisture damage due to heavy rains, regular snowfall and humidity. Wood is also prone to deterioration from other elements. Flaking, chipping, swelling and fading are all common signs of damage due to high heat and prolonged sun exposure.

Sure, wood is beautiful — but is the beauty really worth the cost? Weak siding can risk the aesthetic and safety of the entire home. Moisture can seep in and reach load-bearing beams, critters and pests can start nesting and brittle wood can serve as a tinderbox ready to catch fire with just a spark. You and your loved ones deserve better for your home.

Better Materials to Replace Wood Siding

Modern square two-story home with a wooden garage door.

The ideal wood alternative siding materials are those that provide enhanced durability, stylish designs and lower maintenance. Take a look at some options:

Vinyl

  • Cost & Installation: Averaging $2 to $7 per square foot with installation, vinyl is one of the most affordable choices around. In some cases, vinyl can be installed directly over the existing exterior.
  • Structural Protection: Though water repellent, vinyl can be questionable because there is so much variation in quality. All in all, vinyl does not offer superior protection.
  • Overall Pros & Cons: It’s an affordable choice with lots of styles, but vinyl is still a very flammable material that can be scraped, dinged and dented with impact.

Metal

  • Cost & Installation: Depending on the type, like aluminum or steel, metal ranges between $12 and $30 per square foot. Due to its weight, metal can be more time-consuming to install.
  • Structural Protection: Metal is typically a great option for structural protection because of its low flammability risks and durable core. However, rust may be a concern, so it’s best to look for corrosion-resistant options.
  • Overall Pros & Cons: Metal is generally a good wood siding alternative because it provides durability and longevity. However, costs can be higher with metal.

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Brick

  • Cost & Installation: Brick is one of the most expensive wood siding alternatives because of its labor-intensive installation process. Costs vary greatly from region to region.
  • Structural Protection: In terms of strength, brick is an excellent option to replace wood. Due to its strong surface, brick siding cannot be penetrated easily.
  • Overall Pros & Cons: Though extremely durable and long-lasting, brick does require maintenance. The big downside here is that a mason is usually needed to add mortar and caulking correctly, and professional tuckpointing can be pricey.

Fiber Cement

  • Cost & Installation: Priced between $8 to $25 per square foot with installation, fiber cement is very affordable, especially considering how long it lasts. Professional installation is recommended, but the work can be completed quickly.
  • Structural Protection: With a unique composition, this wood siding alternative is extremely durable, and provides superior structural protectiveness.
  • Overall Pros & Cons: Fiber cement can last from 50 to 100 years when properly maintained, making it a valuable investment that offers top-knotch structural protection.

Best Choice for Structural Protection: Nichiha Fiber Cement

Two-story home with stairs leading up to a large front porch surrounded by green foliage.

Not only does fiber cement offer a structural upgrade to your home’s exterior– it offers plenty of attractive designs, too! Whether you want to keep the wood-style appearance and choose a textured lap or switch things up with a smoother look, Nichiha provides plenty of wood siding alternatives that will catch your eye and protect your home.

Contact our team at Nichiha to explore the best fiber cement wood alternative siding styles.