Summary:
- Consider climate, durability, maintenance, cost, and aesthetics when choosing wood siding.
- Cedar lasts longest of the three and costs the most, and it needs re-staining every few years.
- Pine is affordable but needs frequent maintenance.
- Engineered wood offers a good balance of durability, low maintenance, and affordability.
- Consult a professional for expert advice.
Colorado’s stunning landscapes and dramatic weather create a unique environment for your home’s exterior. Choosing the right siding is crucial, and wood siding offers a timeless beauty that complements Colorado’s natural aesthetic.
But with all the different types of wood siding available, how do you decide which one is best?
Today, we’ll explore the most popular options to help you decide. We’ll consider their durability, maintenance requirements, and, of course, achieving that perfect curb appeal.
Popular Wood Siding Options for Colorado Homes
Colorado’s climate throws a lot at your home’s exterior. From scorching summers to heavy snowfalls, your siding needs to be tough.
Luckily, several wood siding types have the durability and beauty that can stand up to these unique weather patterns.
Here are three of the most popular choices for Colorado homeowners.
1. Cedar Siding
Cedar contains natural oils that resist moisture and insects better than most softwoods, which is why it has clad buildings for centuries. Its grain and the silvery patina it develops are the reason people choose it.
The trade-offs are cost and upkeep. Cedar is the most expensive of the three, and it needs re-staining every three to seven years, sooner on south and west elevations at altitude. It is also combustible, which matters if your property sits in a designated wildfire area.
2. Pine Siding
Pine is the budget option, and it works with standard tools, which is why it appears on a lot of older Colorado homes and outbuildings.
It lacks cedar’s natural oils, so it is considerably more prone to moisture damage, rot, and insects. In this climate, it needs a maintained finish to survive, and left bare, it will not last. Like cedar, it is combustible.
3. Engineered Wood Siding
Engineered wood combines the look of timber with treated wood strands and resins, producing a product that resists moisture, rot, and insect damage far better than sawn pine.
LP SmartSide is the line we install most, treated to the core through the SmartGuard® process and backed by a 5/50 limited warranty, including hail coverage to 1.75 inches. It comes pre-primed or, with Diamond Kote, factory-finished with a 30-year no-fade warranty.
It is still a wood-based product and therefore combustible. If you want a non-combustible wood look, fiber cement is the alternative, and Woodtone applies a wood-grain finish to it.
It can also mimic the look of natural wood at a potentially lower cost. This makes it a great option for homeowners who want the best of both worlds in terms of design and affordability.
Choosing the Right Exterior Wood Siding for Your Home
Choosing the right wood siding for your Colorado home involves more than just looks. While cedar shakes and pine planks might catch your eye, you should consider other important factors to ensure your siding lasts for years.
- Climate: Colorado brings high-altitude UV, freeze-thaw cycling, and hail. Engineered wood handles impact best of the three, cedar holds up well with a maintained finish, and pine needs the most protection. Wildfire exposure is a separate question, since all three are combustible.
- Durability: Think about how long you want your siding to last. Cedar and engineered wood are very durable, but pine may need to be replaced sooner without regular maintenance.
- Maintenance Requirements: Consider how much time and effort you want to spend on upkeep. Engineered wood siding requires the least maintenance. Cedar needs occasional staining or sealing, while pine needs more frequent maintenance.
- Cost: Wood siding prices vary. Cedar is usually the most expensive, followed by engineered wood. Pine is the most affordable, but keep in mind that you might spend more on maintenance over time.
- Aesthetic Preferences: Don’t forget about style! Cedar gives a classic, rustic look, and pine has a warm, natural feel. Engineered wood can mimic different wood grains, offering design flexibility.
Find the Perfect Siding Solution With GS Exterior Experts
Between the three, engineered wood gives you the best balance of cost and upkeep, cedar gives you the real thing at a real maintenance cost, and pine is the budget answer that asks the most in return.
Worth knowing that all three are combustible. If your property sits in a wildfire area, fiber cement or a wood-look finish over it may be the better route, and we can tell you what applies at your address. See our siding options, or get in touch, and we will bring samples out.
