With the right home siding ideas, the exterior of a structure can be dramatically improved and the value of the home can potentially increase. When it’s time to replace siding on a house, there are plenty of siding ideas to consider at a variety of prices and returns on investment.
Eco-Friendly Options
Google saw search interest in “how to live a sustainable lifestyle” increase by more than 4,550% from 2019 to 2020. One way to live this type of lifestyle is by choosing eco-friendly siding options to reduce the carbon footprint of the project, either to replace siding on a house or as part of its overall green construction.
More specifically, using recyclable siding materials is one way to be more environmentally friendly, as is selecting material known to be more energy efficient.
Wood can be a good choice because it’s a renewable and sustainable material that can be sourced locally. Manufacturing processes of wood siding can be more environmentally friendly, as well.
Aluminum or steel siding can be a green choice when made from recycled materials. It’s also considered to be an energy-efficient option because of how metal reflects the sun’s rays, unlike some materials that absorb them. Low maintenance associated with metal siding is a plus.
Fiber cement siding is eco-friendly, crafted from natural materials. Although vinyl siding isn’t formed from the most environmentally friendly materials, there is little waste with this type of siding, with insulated options being energy efficient.
Colors with Curb Appeal
Siding color plays a big part in a home’s curb appeal. Combinations of colors and textures can evoke certain feelings, such as using green siding with wood accents to create a natural feel to a home.
In addition, darker colors draw attention to parts of a home while lighter ones can help to de-emphasize areas.
When selecting a color scheme personal taste enters in, but an overall goal might be a compromise between that and looking good in the home’s broader neighborhood.
Some communities may have homes with more subdued hues while others boast more color.
Colonial homes may look best in a single classic color while cottage-style homes may provide a homeowner with more freedom of expression.
Realistic Textures
In the past, siding materials could look “plastic,” rather than mimicking natural grains and textures. Today, though, siding materials often look more attractive and realistic.
When on a budget, today’s vinyl siding can masterfully imitate wood siding at a lower cost with a greater ease of installation. If on a mid-range budget, an option might be fiber cement siding, which combines sand, cellulose and cement, comes in a variety of colors and can be imprinted with designs.
Plus, shingles come in a variety of sizes to help create a personalized appearance. With a bigger budget, stone and brick veneers are an option, as are stucco and new materials that mimic stucco. These choices can give a home a distinctive appearance.
Mixed textures can be eye-catching, whether that includes mixing materials or the width of the siding boards themselves. Metal touches can also be attractive.
Costs of Home Siding
Costs can be approximated, but each project is unique and older homes may have additional issues that will need to be addressed during a home renovation process.
Plus, if a home is old enough to be designated as historic, there will likely be guidelines that need to be followed, which can add to the price tag of improvements.
Costs can range significantly, anywhere from $1,700 for stucco to $125,000 for stone, with an average siding job costing $10,300. Besides considering the materials used, the size of a home is a key factor.
Other factors can include the shape of the house, with those having multiple stories or with eaves and turrets typically being more expensive than a home with a more streamlined structure.
Another factor can be the time of year when the siding is installed, with peak seasons usually more expensive than off-season projects.
Costs of a square foot of siding, not including installation, vary by material, with these as averages:
• Vinyl: $3 to $12.
• Engineered wood: $4 to $9.
• Aluminum: $2 to $5.
• Wood: $2 to $5.
• Fiber cement: $5 to $13.50.
• Brick: $9 to $28.
• Stucco: $5 to $6.
• Steel: $4 to $8.
• Stone: $35 to $50.
It can make sense to get a customized quote for a siding project because there are so many factors that can affect the price.
It may be helpful, too, to compare quotes received to what it costs to paint the exterior of a home.
On average, painting a home’s exterior ranges from $1,734 to $4,120. Although painting is typically less expensive, siding can last for decades, while the exterior of homes often need to be painted every five to ten years.
Siding ROI
According to the National Association of Realtors® (NARI) 2019 Remodeling Impact Report , new vinyl siding is included in the top eight remodeling projects that appeal to buyers, ranking number three.
Plus, this type of siding is ranked number five when it comes to increasing a home’s value for resale. Meanwhile, new fiber cement siding is ranked number five in appealing to buyers and third in increasing a home’s value.
NARI estimates the cost of new fiber cement siding to be $19,700, with $15,000 of the cost recovered at the time of sale. This means that this renovation has a 76% return on investment (ROI). As far as vinyl siding, the estimated cost is $15,800, with a return of $10,000 (63%).
Paying for House Siding
If cash for the project is readily available, perhaps in a savings account, then paying cash might be an option.
If paying off a credit card balance quickly—ideally before interest can accrue—is possible, using a credit card can also be a savvy solution, especially if using a rewards card.
If planning to use a credit card and then make payments, though, compound interest can really add up.
The Takeaway
Another option to pay for new siding on a home might be a home improvement loan. An unsecured SoFi personal loan, with low rates and no fees required, is quick and easy to apply for online.
Using a personal loan for home improvements means there will be a fixed end payment, unlike using the revolving debt of a credit card. And since SoFi home improvement loans are unsecured, the equity in a home isn’t affected.
SoFi Loan Products
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