One of the best ways a homeowner can spruce up the exterior of their home is with new home siding.  There are so many home siding options available like stucco, vinyl, cedar, wood clapboard, and fiber cement to name a few.  A few things to consider when making this type of decision are: What style is the house currently?  What do the other homes in the neighborhood look like?  And, what kind of upkeep is it going to require?

First and foremost, choosing the contractor to do the home siding project is probably the most important decision besides choosing the new exterior.  Making sure that the contractor is properly licensed and insured is a must.  Make sure that the licenses and insurance are current and in good standing.  Ask for references as well.  Especially when dealing with a project like this, taking a look at new and older work is a good idea.  It gives a real overview of the contractor’s work, as well as the workmanship of any subcontractor they may have used.  Once the contractor is chosen, be sure to carefully go over the contract, and ask any and all questions before agreeing on the work.  Discussing a warranty is very important.  Does the contractor warranty their work?  If so, how long is the warranty?  Also, depending on the type of exterior that is chosen, the manufacturer may offer a warranty as well.

Asking what are some of the more popular home siding options, and what are some of their advantages is a good place to start.  Stucco is probably one of the most popular choices.  It is prevalent in new home construction, and goes well with other exterior options like brick and stone veneer.  Stucco is a mixture of cement, water, and other materials.  The stucco can be tinted, which means that no repainting is necessary. Once it's up, it's done, and the color will last.  It is also preferred as a fire retardant.  The ingredients used to make the stucco are inherently flame resistant.

Another very popular home siding option is fiber cement.  It gives the exterior the look of wood without the worries that sometime can accompany wood, like termites.  Rot is no longer a concern either.  Painting can be done far less often than with wood.  It is also a good option in fire prone areas since the cement composite is virtually fireproof.  It is also a popular option in humid areas because it is resistant to moisture.  This type of exterior may come with a warranty from the manufacturer depending on what company the contractor uses.

One last exterior option that has made some ground in the recent years is vinyl siding.  Manufacturers are using technology to help them create an even better product.  This exterior choice may be less expensive than the others, but this by no means makes it a cheap product.  It is considered a low maintenance option, and because the paint color is actually baked through the entire material, scratches and dings are far less apparent.  The average color life span is between 10 and 15 years.  That means a huge savings in the paint department.  Many vinyl options meet local or state energy efficiency programs as well.  This will help lower the electric and gas bill during the winter and summer months.