The siding of your home is one of the first things people see and a key component of quality curb appeal. By choosing the right siding option for your colonial-style home, you can make your home look great, keep it protected from bad weather and other elements and ensure you do not have to replace your home siding sooner than you may desire.
Colonial-style homes first appeared when the colonists came to America in the 1600s. They predominantly took route in the New England area before spreading all across the colonies and eventually all across the United States. Colonial-style homes are prevalent today, featuring a more traditional and classic look for homes. They are typically two stories and feature a symmetrical design. They are older homes and became the most popular in the north. They often have fireplaces as well.
Options For Colonial Siding On Homes
Several common types of siding options for colonial style homes include wood, brick, stucco, stone, vinyl, and fiber cement sidings. Each has its own benefits and potential drawbacks. The following is a closer look at each type to help you decide which siding material is right for your colonial-style home.
Wood Siding
Many colonial-style homes feature wood siding. This is largely due to primed wood being so readily available in the past, whereas vinyl and other more modern siding options may have not been an option. Wood siding provides authenticity to the home and is relatively durable if it is properly maintained. Weather damage can occur and the paint can fade if not properly updated periodically.
There are three main types of wood sidings, which are clapboard, shakes and shingles. Overall, wood siding is a good balance between affordability, durability and a natural appearance for colonial-style homes.
Brick Siding
Brick siding is likely the most common type of siding you will find on colonial-style homes. This siding option offers a range of benefits, including excellent durability that will last many decades and a beautiful appearance. However, brick is used less often for more modern construction. It can also be more expensive than wood siding as the labor is more extensive. While it may not be a modern solution, brick siding is an excellent way to achieve the most authentic colonial-style home possible. This is especially a great option if you are renovating a colonial-style home from the 19th century or later.
Stucco Siding
Stucco is a combination of sand, cement, lime and water. A waterproof base is also applied before stucco siding is placed for an adequate hold long-term. This is far less common for colonial-style homes and is not as frequently recommended. However, stucco siding can look great on colonial-style homes if applied correctly. It is also easy to customize stucco siding by painting it the color you desire. Stucco siding is both affordable and durable, and it is very possible that stucco siding will last for the lifetime of the home with proper maintenance.
Stone Siding
Stone is a beautiful siding option for colonial-style homes, particularly stone-veneer siding. Stone-veneer siding is more lightweight and easier to add to an existing home, whereas traditional stone can be challenging to add to an existing home. The main drawback to stone siding is cost, and it costs significantly more than wood, brick or stucco siding options. However, stone siding should last for the entire lifetime of the home, yielding a return on your initial investment over time.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is not commonly seen on traditional colonial-style homes simply because it was not a popular option in previous centuries. However, vinyl siding for a siding renovation to your colonial-style home can save you money while providing you with a beautiful and modernized exterior. While some have a natural negative reaction to the idea of vinyl for their colonial-style home, vinyl can now be constructed to closely resemble that of primed wood.
Fiber-Cement Siding
Fiber-cement siding is not often used for colonial-style homes but is certainly worth consideration due to its affordability and beautiful appearance. It offers a similar appearance to that of wood, stucco or masonry, although at a lower cost on average. However, fiber-cement is typically less durable due to an increased potential for water damage.
Contact The Northern VA Siding Contractors At Adelphia Exteriors
Feel free to call or send our team of Northern Virginia siding contractors at Adelphia Exteriors a message if you have questions about siding options for colonial style homes. We can help you make an informed decision about what works best for your home based on your needs and design preferences. Your home is one of your most prized possessions, so be sure to give it the exterior appeal it deserves with quality siding.