Building a house from the ground up is one of the most exciting adventures for homeowners. You get to create a custom oasis that matches your style and has all your favorite finishes. Even though the thought of the finished product makes you smile, the journey to get there can be overwhelming, especially for those who are indecisive and don’t know home-building lingo. There’s the budget to consider, the size of your home, the design, the materials, and so much more.
Or perhaps you’re renovating your current home or just replacing your home’s siding. Large updates like this one can make you feel like you are starting over.
Take a deep breath, and take it one step at a time.
Whether you’re building a new home, renovating an existing one, or just getting new siding, you’ll have to decide whether you want vertical or horizontal siding. Allow expert siding contractors in Utah to take good care of you and walk you through your options.
Vertical Siding
Sometimes called board and batten siding, vertical board siding is a trendy option for Utah homeowners, especially in areas with a high saturation of new homes. Board and batten siding is a great choice when creating a contemporary-style home. Placing siding vertically helps a home appear taller. It can also be a great way to accent certain architectural features of your house, such as entryways and bump-outs.
You won’t see vertical siding as often on older homes or homes with “traditional” siding. One of the most popular brands of vertical siding is Hardie board. Hardie board and batten installation requires a different method than horizontal siding. Because the technique for installing vertical siding differs from horizontal, hiring a professional siding contractor in Salt Lake, or whatever part of Utah you’re in, is essential. This is important because vertical siding may leak without proper installation, which will lead to damage and unnecessary repair costs.
The Pros of Vertical Siding
- It’s Unique: Vertical siding offers a unique look. It can make your house make a statement and stand out. Vertical siding can add a modern touch to a traditional home or create the perfect contemporary look for a new build. While trends come and go, vertical siding has been around for many decades and will always stay in style.
- It’s Less Prone to Water Damage: Vertical siding is less prone to water damage than horizontal siding when installed properly.
- It’s Low Maintenance: Nobody in the history of home ownership has ever said, “I’d like high-maintenance siding.” Vertical siding is lower maintenance and doesn’t accumulate grime and dirt over time like horizontal siding.
Cons of Vertical Siding
- Its Installation is More Costly: Vertical siding is a bit more complicated and takes longer to install, so it’s also pricier. It also requires extra material because it needs water protection.
- It Requires Skill to Install: Installing vertical siding is more tedious than installing horizontal siding. Not all contractors in Utah have experience installing vertical siding since it’s not as common as horizontal, so if you choose vertical siding, make sure your contractor has plenty of experience installing it.
- It Could Affect Home’s Value: The selling market is ever-changing, so if you’re planning on selling your home in the near future, talk to your realtor about whether vertical siding would affect the value of your home or not. Some home buyers prefer to avoid vertical siding. If nobody in your city has vertical siding, it may not be worth it.
Horizontal Siding
Also known as clapboard or lap siding, horizontal siding is a more popular type of siding in the U.S. and in Utah. You will see it everywhere. It is straightforward, easy to install, and has a long lifespan. It looks nice and is a standard option when choosing siding. Horizontal siding goes back for centuries. The rectangular panels come in all sizes, but the typical width is five to nine inches. In addition to the many sizes it comes in, it also comes in a variety of colors, which makes it a versatile option.
Pros of Horizontal Siding
- It’s Less Expensive: Horizontal siding is more common, partly because it is more affordable. You’ll see it often on cookie-cutter track homes because it looks nice, is easy to find, and is cost-effective.
- It’s Easy to Install: Horizontal siding is easier, more straightforward, and quicker to install, meaning lower labor costs.
- It’s Versatile: Since horizontal siding is the most popular and familiar choice, it comes in all colors and sizes, meaning more options exist.
- It’s Traditional: Horizontal siding offers a timeless, traditional look. It’s been around forever. In fact, its nickname, “shiplap siding,” comes from the type of board used on ships when shipping was the main way to transport goods.
Cons of Horizontal Siding
- It’s Prone to Water Damage: Because of the way horizontal siding gets installed, moisture can more easily leak in and accumulate, causing water damage.
- It’s Higher Maintenance: Horizontal siding requires regular cleanings and is challenging to clean because of its ridges.
- It’s Less Durable: Because of the ridges on horizontal siding, where the boards overlap, water can seep in and cause mold or mildew.
There are so many things to consider when starting a home project. Who knew there was so much to learn about siding? Whether you’re leaning toward vertical siding or lap siding installation, weighing the pros and cons can be a wise first choice when deciding which you’ll be happy with.