When building your home, designing the exterior is just as important as designing the interior. Both vertical and horizontal siding options are popular choices among San Mateo homeowners. Ever wonder how they compare? To find the right siding solution for your construction, consider key factors like design, durability, cost and maintenance.
How Are Vertical and Horizontal Siding Different?
There are a few notable differences between vertical and horizontal siding. Appearance, installation difficulty, and cost will likely impact your decision, but there is no wrong answer. Ultimately, the choice between vertical and horizontal siding comes down to personal preference.
Appearance
First, the look. The orientation of your siding will dramatically affect its aesthetic appearance. Generally speaking, vertical siding can feel elegant and modern, while horizontal siding has a timeless and familiar look. Whichever you choose is primarily a decision of personal taste as we here at Peninsula Siding Company are here to help make your dream exterior a reality.
Installation Difficulty
Second, consider the installation process. Installing vertical siding is often more difficult and costlier due to the additional work required for uneven surfaces. With horizontal siding, installation tends to be more streamlined.
Cost
Additionally, consider the cost. Like stated above, horizontal siding is typically less expensive to install due to its easier installation process. Since vertical siding is more challenging to install, it can be more expensive. But is not always the case! Every home and every project is different. Prices will always vary depending on the material choice for either siding orientation.
Vertical Siding
Advantages of Vertical Siding
There are certain advantages to vertical siding. The seamless planks create a cleaner appearance. While there is typically less cutting required, the installation process is more tedious. Therefore, installation times tend to be slightly longer with vertical siding.
However, vertical siding can be installed seamlessly on walls with uneven surfaces. This makes it a good choice for areas that may have textured walls, such as stucco or wood clapboard. Additionally, vertical siding provides more design flexibility and comes in various widths. Creative combinations result in different looks.
Disadvantages of Vertical Siding
Vertical siding is more likely to succumb to severe weather. Its long edges have the potential to catch in the wind, so being sure you are hiring proper installers is a must.
Horizontal Siding
Horizontal siding is by far the most common type of home siding in San Mateo homes. Its wide and shallow shape allows for easier and faster installation. Horizontal siding often provides a more traditional look. Choosing between clapboard, lap siding, and shingles gives you plenty of aesthetic options.
Advantages of Horizontal Siding
Protection, durability and cost efficiency are major advantages of horizontal siding. The direction of the planks prevents water from getting trapped under the material and causing moisture damage. Proper maintenance can lead to a longer lifespan for horizontal siding. Although horizontal plank siding can have more seams, the grooves cover these up. This means that you won’t need to spend additional time and money caulking gaps in order to maintain a finished look.
While horizontal siding provides a more traditional look, color plays a major role in appearance and keeping it modern. Light grays and whites can give your home a fresh, airy feeling. Alternatively, stark, contrasting colors often look sleek and contemporary. Horizontal siding gives you the best of both worlds — ease of installation coupled with flexible appearance.
Another advantage of horizontal siding is its versatility in design. With a wide range of materials available such as wood, fiber cement and metal, you can choose the perfect siding material that complements your home’s architectural style. Horizontal siding can be installed in a variety of patterns, such as traditional lap, Dutch lap or shiplap, giving you a unique look that sets your home apart from others in the neighborhood.
Disadvantages of Horizontal Siding
The main disadvantage of horizontal siding is its tendency for more seams and gaps. This can potentially increase air leakage between the exterior wall and the interior of your home. Air leaks lead to higher energy bills. Windy conditions may also cause a raised effect at the end of each plank. Additionally, horizontal siding cannot effectively cover angled surfaces. You will need to use special pieces and trim or choose vertical siding for these specific areas which all can be discussed with Peninsula Siding Company.
Material Durability and Maintenance
Siding durability depends on the material. In general, wood siding withstands the elements well when properly treated and installed. Regular maintenance is required for wood siding, such as staining or painting. Treating wood annually protects it from moisture, sun and other environmental factors. Without this, your siding may grow mold, split, shrink or warp.
Work With Siding Experts at Peninsula Siding Company, Inc!
Vertical and horizontal siding have distinct differences that influence which type is right for your construction project. If you’re unsure which type of siding is best for your exterior replacement on your home in the peninsula, the experts at Peninsula Siding Company can help. We offer a wide range of siding options and can provide guidance on which type of siding best suits your needs. Call us at (650) 287-4208 or fill out our online form to get started on your project!