The farmhouse has become increasingly popular over the years in residential applications, and the farmhouse siding plays an important role in your home’s exterior.
The farmhouse siding material you choose will largely influence your farmhouse’s general architectural style and help protect your home’s exterior against extreme elements.
And with so many farmhouse siding choices available right now, choosing the suitable one for your home can be daunting. Luckily, we’ve narrowed it down to the six best farmhouse siding materials available to help you select the best option for you. Read on to learn more about each farmhouse siding material.
6 Farmhouse Siding Materials
Here are the best six farmhouse siding materials commonly used in residential applications.
1. Wood Siding
Wood siding is an exterior building material or cladding installed on the building’s exterior to protect it from different elements. It is one of the most sought-after siding materials for homeowners, especially in conventional architectures like farmhouses or cottages, because of its beautiful, natural appearance, durability, and relatively fair costs.
This type of siding is made of different woods with a wide range of species and grades. The most commonly used woods include cypress, redwood, cedar, fir, spruce, pine, oak, ash, engineered wood, and other trees.
Wood siding is also manufactured in various styles, such as Lap, Clapboard, Drop Channel, Board-and-Batten, Rectangular Planking, Tongue-and-Groove, Split Logs, Shingles and Shakes, Plywood, and Wood sheet.
With proper maintenance, a wood siding may last between 20 to 40 years. It’s eco-friendly, easy to install and repair, and can be painted or stained to complement the farmhouse’s design but needs regular high maintenance to prevent damages, such as cracks, peels, holes, warps, water seepage, and rots. It’s also susceptible to color fading, moisture and mold buildup, and insect damage.
In general, wood siding costs range from $1 to $30 per square foot for materials and $1 to $5 per square foot for installation. The average total costs range from $10,500 to $23,000, including the materials, installation costs, and labor fees. The total price range may vary, depending on the wood used, wood siding style, size of the house, and installation process.
2. Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is plastic exterior building material or cladding for buildings, commonly used for weatherproofing and aesthetics. It is made from polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin and is usually manufactured to mimic the appearance of wood siding, making it a good alternative to wood board siding.
This type of siding comes in various colors, finishes, sizes, thicknesses, and profile options. It’s also available in different styles, including Vertical siding, Horizontal siding, Shake And Shingle Siding, and Insulated Siding.
Depending on several external factors, vinyl siding typically lasts between 20 to 60 years. It’s low maintenance, durable, and long-lasting as it weathers extreme elements and is resistant to rust, rot, decay, fire, and insects. However, vinyl siding is prone to dents, scratches, fading, and breakage.
The average cost of vinyl siding ranges from $2 to $7 per square foot for materials and ranges from $2.15 and $5.25 per square foot for installation costs. This doesn’t include the fees for equipment, labor, and other supplies yet.
The total price range for installing vinyl siding ranges between $6,000 and $17,000, but this might vary, depending on the vinyl siding type used and your house’s location.
3. Metal Siding
Metal siding is another popular exterior cladding or building material installed in residential and commercial applications. It’s made of aluminum and steel and is manufactured as an alternative siding to other siding materials like wood and vinyl.
This type of siding comes with an extensive range of styles, colors, sizes, and finishes. The common metal siding styles are Corrugated Metal Siding, Standing Seam Metal Siding, Batten Steel Siding, Box Rib Metal Siding, All Purpose Metal Siding, and Flat Metal Siding.
A metal siding can last up to 50 years with proper maintenance. It’s extremely durable as it can withstand harsh weather conditions and elements and is resistant to insect damage, cracking, fungus and mold growth, and catching fire.
It’s also low maintenance and easy to install. However, it’s costly, not soundproof, and susceptible to dents and rust.
The average cost of metal siding materials ranges between $1 and $30 per square foot, and the installation costs range from $4 to $12 per square foot.
The total price range of metal siding installation with materials, installation, and labor fees included, ranges from $4,196 to $17,963. This total cost may vary, depending on the metal siding type used, square footage, location, and difficulty of the installation process.
4. Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is another exterior building material or semi-rigid siding that’s often used in residential houses for protection and enhancing the building’s curb appeal. It’s made of Portland cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers or wood pulp into sheets. It’s commonly used as an alternative for wood, vinyl, and metal siding.
This type of siding is available in various profiles, textures, and and styles and is manufactured in a plank format. In addition, Fiber cement siding can last up to 50 years because of its high durability and can withstand extreme weather conditions.
It’s also resistant to fire, pests, rot, and mold and requires minimal maintenance. However, fiber cement siding tends to absorb moisture, is expensive and difficult to install, and is not energy-efficient.
The Fiber cement siding costs range from $5 and $14 per square foot, with an average or total installation cost ranging from $3,675 to $19,275. This includes the materials, equipment, installation, and labor costs.
The overall installation cost may differ, depending on the location and size of the home, local labor rates, design types used, and the house’s design.
5. Brick Siding
Brick siding, commonly referred to as brick veneer, is a classic exterior siding material that’s been a staple in the building industry, especially in residential applications. The bricks are made of clay, sand, shale, and water, which are turned into a mortared brick wall and installed on a conventional wood frame.
Brick siding is long-lasting, enduring for over 100 years, and can be reused in future siding projects. In addition, it’s durable, weather and fire-resistant, eco-friendly, low maintenance, and doesn’t need regular repainting. This type of siding enhances the farmhouse’s curb appeal more than other siding materials.
On the other hand, brick siding is one of the most expensive siding materials as it’s difficult to repaint and repair.
It also doesn’t with temperature fluctuations. The bricks’ mortar is also prone to decay, leading to damage.
On average, the price range of brick siding materials ranges between $9 and $28 per square foot, with a labor cost ranging from $2 to $8 per square foot. And the average cost of a brick siding installation ranges from $8,000 to $27,000, including materials, installation, and labor fees.
6. Stucco Siding
Stucco siding is another form of siding commonly used on residential constructions for centuries. It’s made of Portland cement, sand, lime, and water turned into a cement-type mixture.
This type of siding offers flexibility, as it provides a wide range of textures, colors, and styles. It’s available in three stucco system types, namely 1-coat system, 2-coat system, and 3-coat system.
Stucco siding also typically lasts from 50 to 80 years. In addition, stucco siding is durable, versatile, and resistant to pests and fire.
It also reduces sound transmission, provides some insulation, and requires minimal maintenance.
However, stucco siding is expensive, challenging to install and repair, and is susceptible to chipping and precipitation.
On average, stucco siding costs from $5 to $9.58 per square foot, with installation costs ranging from $4 to $10 per square foot. Therefore, the whole house installation cost of stucco siding ranges from $6,000 to $13,000. This includes the materials, supplies, installation, and labor costs.
The total stucco siding cost may vary, depending on the total square footage, the complexity of architecture, the type of stucco, the location, and the job’s complexity.
Using the Right Siding Material for a Farmhouse
Farmhouses are increasingly becoming more popular for homeowners because of their functionality and aesthetics. And whether you’re planning on building a new farmhouse or want to remodel your existing farmhouse, it’s essential to consider one of the most crucial factors for your farmhouse’s exterior: Farmhouse siding.
It’s important to know the best farmhouse siding materials available as not only enhance your house’s curb appeal but also protect your house from extreme elements and weather conditions. Use our comprehensive article to help you choose which one is the most suitable choice for your preferences and needs.
