The American Ranch is one of the most popular home styles in the country. Whether you choose the single-floor living of the traditional Ranch or the two-story raised Ranch, the open floor plans and clean lines of this style lend themselves well to contemporary living.
Many ranches in the past have featured exterior details such as brick or flagstone accents, varying rooflines, and extensive landscaping. As time passed, the homes got more contemporary and interesting both inside and out, with cathedral ceilings, sunken living rooms, open floor plans, and more varied siding materials and styles.
Part of the appeal of a Ranch is the way that it can seamlessly take on so many different looks and details. This means it’s possible to transform a plain Ranch into something unique and interesting with minor changes to the décor. One way to do that is by using the siding you choose to cover the exterior. But before we get into that, let’s take a moment to discuss what a ranch-style home is.
What is a Ranch-Style Home?
Ranch-style homes originated in the 1920s but gained immense popularity in the post-World War II era between the 1940s and 1970s. Characterized by their single-story open floor plans, Ranch homes often feature large windows and an emphasis on indoor-outdoor living. Their single-story design makes them accessible and easy to navigate, which is particularly appealing to families and retirees.
One of the main reasons Ranch-style homes are so popular is their versatility. They can be customized in various ways to suit different needs and aesthetics, from traditional to contemporary. The simplicity of their design also allows for exterior enhancements and modifications, making it easy for homeowners to personalize their homes while maintaining the timeless appeal of the Ranch style.
Ranch-Style Exterior Material Options
When choosing the right exterior material for your Ranch-style home, there are several options, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Here’s a closer look at some popular exterior material choices.
Brick Siding
Brick is a durable and low-maintenance option that offers a classic look. However, it can be expensive and less energy-efficient compared to other materials.
Wood Siding
Wood provides a natural appearance and is incredibly versatile and customizable. You can paint and stain it in whatever color you like. On the downside, it requires regular maintenance and is susceptible to pests and moisture damage.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is a cost-effective and low-maintenance material option, available in various colors and styles. Its main drawbacks are that it can crack or fade over time and is less environmentally friendly.
Stucco Siding
Stucco is known for its excellent insulation properties, durability, and design versatility. However, it can be expensive to install and may crack in areas with shifting foundations.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is the best option available due to its extreme durability, resistance to pests and fire, and low maintenance. It can mimic the look of wood, brick, or stone. Plus, it’s super energy-efficient and environmentally friendly, making it a wise investment for your home and the planet. So, if you’re looking for the best material option available for Ranch-style homes, this is the one for you!
Traditional Ranch Siding
Traditionally, most Ranch-style homes featured horizontal lap siding. This siding is seen in many housing styles and is one of the most popular types of siding today. The style complements the Ranch style well; the long lines of the siding emphasize the length and long lines of the Ranch.
When it comes to the Raised Ranch, there are two rules of thumb for the traditional styles because there are two types of Raised Ranches. The first type is a traditional, one-story Ranch that has been picked up, elevated, and had a finished slab basement built beneath it. The second is built as a two-story Ranch, with a set of stairs necessary to reach the upper main living level.
Traditional Ranch-Style Homes
For traditional Ranch-style homes, there is usually a break in the siding between the upper and lower levels. This break is the supporting beam built beneath the original floor.
This feature is seen as a way to break the two halves of the home visually, so the siding usually changes at this point. It may be brick on the lower half and horizontal lap above, or it may be shingles below and horizontal lap above. It’s also common to have two siding colors above and below this line to emphasize it further.
Raised Ranch-Style Homes
For the raised Ranch-style homes, the upper story typically juts out slightly further than the lower story in the front of the home, but there’s no serious definition between the two. Therefore, it’s more common to use the same siding over the entirety, with the exception of some accents around the skirt or lower section. Here, you’ll often see brick, flagstone, or some other type of decorative siding.
Dressing Up Your Ranch
One of the best things about a Ranch-style home is that it’s meant to be a contemporary home that can pull off several styles and accents. Therefore, while there are some traditional styles that will always work well, it’s also possible to break from tradition and have your home look fantastic at the same time.
For example, because a one-story ranch has such long, horizontal lines, some people like to contrast this by using a board and batten siding. Others like to play it up or down, using an irregular shingle over the entirety. It’s even possible to really play up the contemporary element of the home and install architectural panels over the entirety to give it a smooth, clean look that works well with the single story.
The Key is in the Details
The real key to getting a more contemporary look for your Ranch-style home is to play up the little details. For example, if your home has a varied roofline, you’ll want to show that off. You can do this by using a boldly contrasting trim, changing the shape and color of the siding just below the roofline, or using a siding that draws the eye upward, such as a board and batten style.
It’s also becoming increasingly popular for Raised Ranches to have a center “tower” added down the front, much like Colonials. If you opt to have this added, be sure to show it off by switching your siding in this area and outlining it with a contrasting trim. The idea is to take the details that make your Ranch-style home unique and show them off using decorative siding.
What About Soffit?
Don’t overlook your soffit when designing your Ranch’s exterior. Most Ranches have a very deep soffit with a pronounced overhang. This means the soffit can be dressed up to either match or contrast the rest of the home. Consider opting for a bold color in this area to emphasize it further and draw a little extra attention to the details.
7 Unique Siding Ideas for Ranch Homes
Are you looking for unique ways to amp up the exterior design of your ranch-style home? Here are seven unique ranch house siding ideas that can help you improve the look of your home’s style:
- Contrasting Trim: Use bold, contrasting colors for your trim to highlight your Ranch’s architectural features and create visual interest.
- Mixed Materials: Combine different siding materials, such as brick, wood, and fiber cement, to add texture and depth to your home’s exterior.
- Accent Walls: Create an accent wall with a different siding style, like board and batten or shingles, to break up the long horizontal lines typically found in Ranch-style homes.
- Decorative Soffits: Paint or install decorative panels on your soffit to add color and detail to the overhangs, making them stand out.
- Landscaping: Design your landscaping to complement your fiber cement siding choices, using plants and hardscaping to enhance the overall look.
- Modern Windows and Doors: Update your windows and doors with modern styles and materials to give your Ranch-style home a fresh, contemporary twist.
- Outdoor Living Spaces: Incorporate outdoor living areas, such as patios or decks, that blend seamlessly with your home’s exterior design.
Show Off Your Ranch
Ranch-style house siding doesn’t mean just one thing. It can be shingles, horizontal lap siding, board and batten, or architectural panels – whatever you like most!
Just make sure you’re showing off your Ranch-style home’s details to their best effect to get the most out of your exterior design.
Contact us to start creating your ranch house siding ideas today!
