Vertical Vs Horizontal Siding: Which One?
There are so many decisions when it comes to residing your house. What material should you use? What colors will go best or complement your style? Well, we’re introducing you to yet one more decision to make about your siding. Should you choose horizontal or vertical siding? We dig into the pros and cons, types, and costs of vertical and horizontal sidings today.
Vertical Siding
The Pros Of Vertical Siding
Vertical siding isn’t the most common choice, but it can be done and look great. It is more likely to see this type of siding on commercial buildings, but it is not unheard of on residential structures either.
Homeowners looking for something unique should look to vertical siding. It has an elongating effect that makes your home stand out against the others. It is not recommended if you live in a neighborhood full of conventional-style homes.
Maintenance of vertical siding is easier than horizontal siding. Cleaning it is much easier, so if you have to clean your siding often, this is the best choice.
The Cons Of Vertical Siding
It may not seem like much of a difference, but vertical siding is more complex to install than horizontal siding. This means you’re going to pay more in labor costs. Your installation team also must have experience with vertical siding installation to get it right the first time.
This type of siding involves installing “furring strips” between each piece. This does not have to be done with horizontal siding, so this adds to the material expense. “Furring strips” are thin strips of wood or another material. They make them to level or raise surfaces of another material to prevent dampness, to make space for insulation, or to level and resurface ceilings and walls.
Another con is if you ever plan on selling your home, the unconventional style could dissuade potential buyers.
The Types Of Vertical Siding
There are quite a few different types of vertical siding.
Vertical Vinyl Siding
This material is cost effective, comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors, and is easy to install. Vinyl siding can last for 30-40 years. It actually deals with water better when installed vertically.
Vertical Wood Siding
Wood siding is a long-lasting material and one that can add value to your home. They often refer to this as “board and batten siding. It offers a multi-dimensional profile that is visually stunning. This material is more costly and requires more maintenance than vinyl to keep it in its best shape.
Vertical Fiber Cement Siding
Vertical fiber cement siding is in high demand these days. It is important to make sure your roofing company has plenty of experience installing fiber cement siding. It can be more complex and is one of the most expensive siding materials on the market.
Horizontal Siding
The Pros Of Horizontal Siding
Cost is the biggest pro in going with horizontal siding. It is easier to install than the vertical siding, which is why it’s much cheaper. The installation process with horizontal siding is much faster compared to vertical siding as well.
This is the more traditional style of siding, so if you want your house to look traditional, or otherwise “fit in,” horizontal siding is your best choice.
The Cons Of Horizontal Siding
Horizontal siding is often durable, but it has a higher tendency to be damaged by rainwater or snow. Moisture builds up between the siding edges and gets into the siding strips. Over time, this causes the siding to become compromised and requires complete replacement.
If you have chosen wood as your siding, know that it has the potential to warp. This can lead to rainwater leaking under the siding strips, which can create a mold and mildew situation.
The Types Of Horizontal Siding
For homeowners looking at horizontal siding, they have more options as far as material types. The following are the most common material types for horizontal siding.
Horizontal Vinyl Siding
There is a variety of options when it comes to choosing vinyl material for horizontal installation. It is simple to install and very durable. However, installers should be careful to not get water in the gaps during installation.
Horizontal Wood Siding
The aesthetic appeal of wood is quite obvious. Because of that, there is a variety of horizontal wood siding products on the market. Just like vinyl horizontal siding, installers must make sure not to get water inside the siding during installation.
Horizontal Fiber Cement Siding
This type of siding is popular because it is less expensive to install than vertical fiber cement siding.
Other Factors Of Vertical Vs Horizontal Siding
Costs Of Vertical Vs Horizontal Siding
On average, homeowners pay between $5,000 and $15,000 for siding to be installed on their homes. The prices vary depending on the complexity of the home design and size, as well as the type of material used for the siding. If your home has multiple stories, turrets, and eaves, you will probably incur higher labor costs. Vertical siding is more expensive to install than horizontal siding.
Installation Process for Vertical Vs Horizontal Siding
The installation procedure for vertical siding is more complicated than horizontal siding. Most installers know how to install horizontal siding, but you need to check with the roofer to make sure they know how to install vertical siding. Because of the additional labor, it can be more expensive to install vertical siding.
Final Thoughts
Residing your home is a big job and requires a lot of different choices. We at Second To None Exteriors are here to help you through this process. Call us at 636-699-0449 to discuss the siding of your dream home today.