Siding protects your home from the elements and sets the appearance of the whole exterior, so it is worth understanding the options before you choose one for your Colorado home. There is no single best siding option for a Colorado home. The right answer depends on your budget, how exposed your property is to hail and sun, whether you sit in a wildfire area, and how much maintenance you are willing to take on. Below are the five materials we install most, with what each is good for and what it costs you in return.
Let’s take a look.
1. Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a popular siding option among homeowners in Colorado due to its low cost, easy maintenance, and durability.
It is available in a wide range of colors and styles, which means you can find an option that complements your home’s architecture and personal taste. Vinyl carries the lowest upfront cost of any siding, needs no painting, and comes in a wide color range. It installs quickly, which keeps labor costs down.
The trade-offs matter in Colorado. Vinyl fades under high-altitude UV, becomes brittle in deep cold, and cracks under hail more readily than harder materials. It is also combustible, which rules it out in some wildfire-exposed areas.
2. Composite Siding
Composite contains a mixture of plastic resin and wood fibers, which makes it a more eco-friendly and sustainable material. It offers the same appearance as wood siding but doesn’t have quite the extensive maintenance.
Composite resists rot, mold, and pests, so it lasts longer than untreated wood while keeping a similar look. It takes paint well, and it installs faster and lighter than fiber cement, which keeps labor costs down. LP SmartSide carries a 5/50 limited warranty, including hail coverage to 1.75 inches. The trade-off is that composite is wood-based and therefore combustible, which matters if your property sits in a designated wildfire area.
3. Natural Wood Siding
Nothing quite matches natural wood for appearance and character. It’s a great way to add character to a home, and there are plenty of options available, like redwood, cedar, and pine.
Natural wood siding is biodegradable, which means it can be recycled or composted, but it requires quite a bit of maintenance when compared to the other options. It is also susceptible to rot, mold, and pests, which means it may need to be replaced more frequently than other siding options.
4. Metal Siding
Metal siding is durable and low-maintenance. You can get metal siding in a variety of colors and finishes. Metal is non-combustible and is not a food source for pests. Reflective coatings can reduce summer heat gain, though the metal itself provides almost no insulation. The trade-off is hail. Metal panels dent, and gauge and profile both affect how visible that damage is.
The main issue with metal siding is the cost and appearance. It’s more expensive and challenging to install, and it doesn’t offer a traditional, cozy look like some of the other house siding options.
5. Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement is made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, giving a wood-like appearance without the re-staining cycle that real wood needs. It is classified as non-combustible under ASTM E136 and is not a food source for pests. James Hardie backs the substrate with a 30-year non-prorated warranty, and ColorPlus® finishes carry a separate 15-year finish warranty.
The trade-offs are cost and weight. Fiber cement runs meaningfully more per square foot than vinyl or composite; it is heavier to handle, and cutting it requires the right equipment and dust control.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cheapest siding option?
Vinyl siding is one of the cheapest exterior siding options for homes. It’s a great choice for Colorado homeowners who are looking to save money but still want siding options for homes. You can choose from a number of colors, and vinyl is relatively low-maintenance and easy to clean.
What is the most durable type of siding?
It depends on what you are protecting against. Fiber cement and metal are non-combustible; engineered wood and composite handle impact well but burn; brick and stone outlast everything but cost the most. Compare warranty terms rather than durability rankings, since those are the figures a manufacturer will actually stand behind.
What is better than vinyl siding?
It’s subject to opinion, but fiber cement siding is designed to be an upgrade to vinyl siding. Just keep in mind that the installation process is more involved, so it is more expensive.
Final Thoughts
There is no single right answer here when it comes to choosing the best siding option. Vinyl costs the least and asks the most compromise in this climate. Composite balances cost and appearance, but burns. Wood looks best and demands the most upkeep. Metal lasts a long time and is resistant to dents. Fiber cement performs best across the widest range of conditions and costs more to buy and install.
Which one suits your home depends on your budget, your exposure, and how long you plan to stay. Request a siding estimate, and we will walk through it with you. GS Exterior Experts is a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, serving Colorado since 1999.
