Interested in giving your home’s exterior a makeover? Experienced siding contractors can completely transform your home and make it look new again just by installing new siding. You can also elongate your home, make it appear taller, or grace it with the charm of historical housing. These visual tricks come down to the siding style.
The three main categories of siding are lap siding, shingle siding, and vertical siding—each with unique approaches to beautifying your home.
Lap Siding
Lap siding consists of long boards that are laid horizontally to overlap each other. It’s one of the most common siding styles in the US because of its easy installation, water resistance, and timely appearance. The boards are overlapped in a way that wicks water down your house, preventing moisture from finding its way inside and inflicting your structure with water damage. At the same time, the horizontal boards draw the eye horizontally and elongate the home.
There are many types of lap siding, made of different materials and colors. A popular siding choice is fiber cement, a rigid but flexible material that withstands a range of climates and comes in a variety of styles. James Hardie, a top producer of fiber cement siding, offers lap siding that can mimic the appearance and texture of wood, including the traditional Dutch siding of historical communities.
Shingle Siding
Shingle siding consists of individual cuts of material attached to the exterior of your home in overlapping rows. Shingles are traditionally cut from cedar wood, as popularized on Cape Cod-style homes, but wood requires special maintenance including water-resistant coatings and staining. If you want the curb appeal of cedar wood without the maintenance, you can opt for James Hardie fiber cement shingles.
A typical shingle is uniform in shape and size, but shingles can be varied for a more custom and refined look. Such varied cuts are offered by James Hardie. Their Staggered Edge Panel siding uses rectangular singles of various widths and lengths, and their Half-Rounds siding resembles the scalloped scales of a fish. They also sell Individual Shingles for an even more customized design.
Vertical Siding
Vertical siding, sometimes called board and batten siding, consists of long boards that are laid in vertical rows. The boards don’t overlap like in lap or shingle siding, but vertical trim strips are placed over their joints to block out water leakage. This makes them more effective at resisting water damage, and easier to clean.
Though vertical siding is more commonly used on farm houses and commercial buildings, it can make a powerful statement on homes by making them appear taller. It can also be combined with lap siding for a uniquely complex design. James Hardie makes their vertical siding extra unique by offering fiber cement siding that resembles cedar wood and stucco.
Ready to Boost Your Curb Appeal with New Siding?
Contact your local siding contractor Mares & Dow Construction and Skylights today for a custom plan to improve your home’s curb appeal. With over 40 years of experience, we install and replace fiber cement siding that’s as durable as it is beautiful.
based on 
