When it comes to giving your Houston home a fresh look, the siding you choose can make all the difference. Siding isn’t just about protection—it’s an opportunity to express your personal style and enhance your home’s curb appeal.
Read on to dive into 7 of the most common siding styles and explore why each one has earned its popularity. Whether you’re a fan of the classic beauty of traditional lap or the rustic warmth of shakes, Window World of Houston has the offering for your next home improvement project.
1. Traditional Lap
Traditional lap siding, also known as clapboard siding, is characterized by long, narrow boards installed horizontally, which all overlap each other slightly. This overlapping pattern creates a protective barrier against water infiltration and adds a neat, clean appearance.
This versatile siding style complements most architectural designs and can be made from a variety of materials, including vinyl. Homeowners looking to bring long lasting, timeless, classic charm to their home’s exterior will love traditional lap siding like Window World of Houston’s 4000 Series and 2000 Series vinyl siding.
2. Dutch Lap
While similar to traditional lap siding, dutch lap siding stands out for its beveled edge design. It is crafted from horizontal boards but features a groove at the bottom of each plank. These grooves produce a subtle shadow line effect, giving this siding style a distinctive and decorative look that’s reminiscent of rustic craftsmanship.
The beveled edges not only enhance visual interest but also help to shed water efficiently, offering protection against moisture infiltration. This combination makes Dutch lap siding—like our 6000 Series—popular for Houston homeowners who desire a timeless yet striking curb appeal.
3. Board and Batten
Commonly used on barns across America, board and batten siding has earned the nickname “barn siding.” This simple yet distinctive style is made up of wide vertical boards which are alternated with narrow, decorative batten strips.
Board and batten siding brings traditional warmth and rustic charm to homes, with vertical lines that create eye-catching texture perfect for farmhouses and modern architecture. Its design also makes this siding style weathertight and resistant to harsh winds, ensuring long-lasting protection and insulation for your home.
4. Shake Siding
Shake siding is a thicker variation of shingle siding that has textured and uneven edges (though the shingle sizes remain uniform). This rough ribbed quality replicates the rustic, coastal appearance of traditional wooden cedar shakes, appealing to homeowners seeking a classic or cottage-style look.
While shake siding is often made from wood, it is also available in low-maintenance materials like vinyl, offering durability and resistance to the Texas elements.
5. Scalloped Shingles
Scalloped shingle siding is marked by its decorative, scallop-shaped edges along the bottom of each overlapping shingle. This ornamental feature sets it apart from traditional linear style siding and adds a touch of elegance and quaint charm to a home’s exterior.
Many homeowners use scalloped detail as accent sections for pops of whimsy, especially for Victorian and Queen Anne-style homes. However, shingle siding can be built from various materials like vinyl, which delivers both durability and design flexibility to suit different architectural styles and personal preferences.
6. Beaded Vinyl Siding
Beaded vinyl siding features a series of vertical ridges or “beads” that run down the length of each siding panel. These beads add depth and dimension to a home’s facade, making it the perfect match for colonial-style homes. You can opt for the panels to lie flat against the house like in clapboard or overlap like Dutch lap siding.
Beaded vinyl siding combines the character of real wood with the strong durability, customizability and weather resistance of vinyl.
7. Composite Siding
Composite siding has gained popularity for its combination of durability and versatile aesthetic. It is typically made from a mixture of various materials, often including wood fibers, recycled plastics and cement. This composition offers the best of both worlds: the natural appearance and texture of wood siding with the resilience and low-maintenance benefits of modern materials.
Composite siding is popular among homeowners because it can withstand harsh weather conditions, resist rot, insects and decay and requires minimal upkeep over time. Plus, it comes in a wide range of colors, styles and finishes, allowing you to create your exact vision.
Enhance Your Home’s Curb Appeal With Vinyl Siding
Window World of Houston carries high-performing siding that is customizable to reflect your personal style, provides plenty of curb appeal, and protects your home for years to come! Get in touch for a free estimate on your new vinyl or composite siding—we’re happy to help you choose the best option for your home and needs.