This guide provides a straightforward outline of what to look for when searching the best house siding for New England homes. It has an assessment of seven specific siding qualities you can use to find the perfect siding for your home, depending on your style preferences, maintenance capabilities, and more.
New England is rife with charming villages and coastal towns made up of a unique mix of styles. Whether you’re working on a historic home in Boston or planning a new build in a small town in Connecticut or Rhode Island, the best siding for New England homes can help make your project a success.
The weather patterns common in New England can pose distinct challenges that homeowners will want to consider in advance. This list has been carefully curated to help you find the best siding for New England homes – siding that will look great and last!
Learn to Assess Your House Siding Priorities
Some conditions – like durability and weather resistance – should always be a priority for builders in New England, since humidity and storms can be a challenge in this part of the country. There are also other things to consider when identifying the best siding for your home in New England.
House siding can be assessed according to seven components: design, protection, quality, energy, costs, affordability, and maintenance needs. Decide what your priorities are first, then rank these siding qualities according to your needs to find the best siding for your New England home.
Design
First impressions are everything – and the appearance of house siding can make or break curb appeal. Depending on existing architectural details and your overall vision for the home, certain siding styles may be a better choice than others. For example, traditional lap is considered a common yet classic style. Other designs, like shake siding or board and batten, may be perfect for expressing coastal charm. For contemporary flair, stucco-style cladding, brick, contemporary paneling, or other styles may help you achieve your unique design goals.
Maintaining color consistency can be another challenge in New England because of the humidity and sun exposure. Some siding materials are better adapted for long-term color. While vinyl is known to fade easily, other materials like fiber cement are crafted with infused color to keep their original appearance.
Protection
Aesthetics are important too, but they aren’t everything! Exterior house siding plays a protective role, too, by acting as an additional barrier against rain, snow, rodents, wind, and more – something that’s really important in New England.
Homeowners in New England should think about the capacity for their siding material to protect the home, since blizzards and stormy weather can be common along the New England coastline. Fiber cement and steel siding are two options that can provide much better protection in these types of conditions than vinyl or untreated wood exteriors.
Quality
Material composition can make a big difference when it comes to durability and overall quality as well. Quality affects both the aesthetic appearance and structural performance of house siding. Mass-produced vinyl and basic wood siding usually fail to deliver the level of quality that New England homeowners are looking for.
Energy
Energy efficiency should be a priority for everyone, including those looking for the best siding for New England homes. Older homes without insulation may push this concern to the forefront when shopping for house siding.
Costs
Hired labor, tools, installation, shipping, purchasing fees, delivery fees – there are a lot of things to consider when making cost calculations. Modern siding products tend to be much easier to install, and require less time and labor, ultimately adding to their overall value. Purchase directly from the manufacturer to save additional costs on modern siding for New England homes.
Affordability
Material composition and fabrication type can also influence the cost of house siding. While vinyl tends to be the most affordable option upfront, it doesn’t usually last as long as more durable siding materials – especially with New England weather. If you plan to remodel again within the next 5-10 years – or you don’t mind doing constant repair work – this may not be an issue, but most homeowners are looking for a product that lasts longer. It really depends on your preferences!
Maintenance Needs
Again, homeowners should try to anticipate the future, including making a decision on how much maintenance they’re willing to take on. Siding upkeep – like cleaning, caulking and fixing deterioration – requires time, energy, and money. Low-maintenance house siding like fiber cement may be the better option in New England.
New England Homes Need Weather Resistant Siding
Stormy weather, humidity, strong winds from the Atlantic seaboard, and occasional snowfall are standard throughout New England, including Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont.
Because wood deteriorates rapidly with excessive moisture, and vinyl tends to crack with temperature changes, neither of these materials are the best type of siding for New England homes. House siding should be able to withstand both the notable weather events and regular seasonal changes common in New England.
Because of its enhanced durability and profound weather resistance, fiber cement is considered one of the best siding materials for New England homes. Designed as a durable, low-maintenance siding option, fiber cement provides more advantages for homeowners.
Best Siding Choice for a Home in New England: Fiber Cement
Fiber cement is a fantastic choice for home siding in New England. Composed of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, this composite material offers exceptional resistance to harsh weather conditions, including extreme temperatures, moisture, and UV rays. Its innate resilience makes it virtually impervious to rot, termites, and other common issues that plague traditional siding options. The material is also fire-resistant, providing an added layer of safety for homes. With minimal maintenance requirements and a long lifespan, fiber cement emerges as an ideal choice for those seeking a durable and aesthetically pleasing siding solution that can withstand the test of time and the elements.
Fiber cement from Allura makes designing easy with an attractive array of colors as well as the following siding styles:
Classic Lap Siding
With a timeless aesthetic, lap siding will look great on any home in New England. Plus, Allura lap is easy to install and low-maintenance.
Smooth and Stucco Panel
Smooth or stucco-look paneling is a unique way to customize your curb appeal. Crafted from fiber cement, these creative styles provide a fast and easy way to achieve the look of traditional stucco without the complicated installation process.
Vertical Groove Panel
Great in any color, vertical groove paneling has a board and batten style for a charming aesthetic that’s common in New England architecture.
Choose the Best Siding for New England Homes with Allura
Allura specializes in crafting beautiful siding that’s easy to work with and low-maintenance. To find the best siding for New England homes, contact Allura today to explore an exciting range of durable house siding!
