Home Siding - Introduction to Siding Your House - Portland, Oregon

Every home has some type of exterior siding. Siding plays two key roles for your home:

• It protects the structure from the elements.
  
• It highlights the architectural style and can add beauty to your home.

Following are some common types of home siding.

Fiber Cement - Also known as cement fiber or concrete siding. A popular choice for cement siding is a James Hardie product called hardi plank.  Fiber cement siding offers all the beauty and character of natural wood without the maintenance and is a highly durable alternative to vinyl siding. 

Wood Siding - Cedar and pine and treated wood products are teh most frequently used. 

Wood Composite - Includes a variety of engineered and treated products that usually include a mixture of wood fibers, wax and other resins.

Vinyl - A low-cost option, manufactured primarily with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fashioned to look like traditional wood siding. 

Siding typically attached directly to the wood frame of your house. On most homes, a thin weather-resistant barrier between the frame and the siding provdes an extra layer of moisture and wind protection. 

Siding materials have substantially different life spand and maintenance requirements. Wood siding, for example, must be cleaned regularly and painted or stained every few years or so. Conversely, pre-finished fiber cement siding can be maintenance-free for 15 years or more. 

When it's time to re-side your home, investing some time into considering options is key. Also choosing the right siding contractor can provide big returns in the beauty, maintenance and resale value of your home.