Summary:
- Wood siding offers natural warmth, character, and a classic exterior style, with popular options like cedar, pine, and redwood.
- Colorado’s climate presents challenges for natural wood, including higher maintenance needs, vulnerability to moisture, pests, and woodpeckers, as well as accelerated weathering without proper care.
- Engineered wood and fiber cement often provide stronger long-term performance while still delivering a wood-like appearance.
- GS Exterior Experts helps homeowners evaluate wood siding realistically and choose siding materials that balance beauty, durability, and long-term value.
Wood siding is often chosen for its natural warmth, timeless appearance, and architectural versatility. It adds depth and character to a home, whether the design leans modern or traditional. Still, choosing wood siding requires more than appreciating its look. Maintenance needs, installation quality, and local weather conditions all play a major role in longevity. In Colorado’s climate, wood siding must be installed and cared for correctly, or it may deteriorate sooner than expected.
Over years of working with different exterior siding materials, we’ve seen how wood siding can perform beautifully when installed correctly and maintained with care. Every wood type has its own strengths and weaknesses, and understanding them helps homeowners make the right choice for their home’s long-term value. The following sections break down the most common wood siding options, compare them, and discuss when a lower-maintenance alternative might be the smarter investment.
Understanding Wood Siding and Its Appeal
Wood siding delivers a natural warmth that manufactured products try to replicate. It can be customized through stains, finishes, and profiles, which is why homeowners often consider it for custom builds or renovations.
However, selecting wood siding involves more than appearance alone. Colorado’s high-altitude UV exposure, dry climate, and seasonal weather changes place stress on natural wood products. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency reports that UV intensity rises about 2% for every 1,000 feet. In many Colorado communities, that means noticeably faster finish breakdown compared to lower-altitude climates.
Key homeowner considerations include:
- How much maintenance am I willing to do?
- Do I prefer a natural or wood-look alternative?
- How will Colorado’s weather affect the material over time?
A clear understanding of these factors helps determine whether wood siding is the best fit or if an advanced alternative might be more practical.
Three Types of Wood Siding We Work With
There are several types of wood siding products available, each with its own strengths. Below are the most common options we install and evaluate for Colorado homeowners.
1. Cedar Siding: Benefits and Durability
Cedar is one of the most reliable natural wood products available. It contains natural oils that help protect against moisture and pests, and it holds its shape better than many other species. Cedar siding can be installed as lap, shakes, shingles, or panels, depending on the design and budget.
However, it still requires scheduled maintenance to avoid fading, splitting, or woodpecker damage. We recommend periodic sealing or staining to maintain its performance in Colorado weather. When cedar works best:
- Homes with natural or rustic design elements
- Homeowners who are committed to ongoing maintenance
- Properties where authenticity and character are a priority
2. Pine Siding: Pros, Cons, and Maintenance
Pine is more affordable than cedar but needs more care to maintain its condition. It is more vulnerable to moisture, pests, and expansion in temperature swings. If installed without correct sealing, pine may require repairs sooner than expected.
We’ve replaced pine siding on many homes where weather damage caused early deterioration. When pine is used, high-quality treatment and weather protection are essential.
3. Redwood & Engineered Wood Options
Redwood offers strong weather resistance and a bold natural appearance, but is often more expensive and harder to source. Engineered wood siding options such as LP SmartSide provide a similar appearance with a lighter weight and less natural expansion, making them easier to install when handled by trained professionals.
Engineered wood is a strong alternative when homeowners want a natural wood appearance without the higher maintenance of traditional wood siding.
Wood Siding Maintenance in Colorado
The Colorado climate places unique demands on wood siding. High-altitude UV exposure, low humidity, and freeze-thaw cycles can cause boards to expand, contract, or crack over time. In some neighborhoods, woodpecker damage is also a common concern.
Regular maintenance helps preserve appearance and functionality, but may include:
- Repainting or restaining every few years
- Inspecting seams and joints for moisture intrusion
- Visual checks for cracking or fading
- Replacing damaged boards as needed
Over our years of experience, we’ve seen many wood siding systems fail early because maintenance expectations were not fully understood before installation. Unfortunately, problems often go unnoticed until repairs become extensive. If wood siding is selected, ongoing care must be part of the plan.
Woods We Avoid in Harsh Colorado Conditions
Not all wood products are suitable for Colorado homes. We generally avoid:
- Untreated softwoods such as spruce or fir;
- Low-grade composite wood siding;
- Products without proper moisture barriers; and
- Siding that expands quickly in temperature swings.
These materials tend to deteriorate faster when exposed to sun, wind, snow, or hail. For these reasons, we recommend higher-grade or engineered materials when long-term value is the priority.
Two Lower-Maintenance Alternatives to Wood
Many homeowners want the look of wood without the upkeep. In these cases, advanced materials often perform better while maintaining strong curb appeal.
1. Fiber Cement (James Hardie)
Fiber cement siding offers one of the best wood-look alternatives available today. This material performs especially well in climates that see frequent temperature swings, moisture exposure, or hail. It provides the visual appeal of wood with far less maintenance over the years.
- Mimics real wood textures
- Highly durable and fire-resistant
- Handles Colorado weather better than natural wood
2. Engineered Wood (LP SmartSide)
Engineered wood combines wood fibers with advanced resins to create a stable, resilient product. When installed correctly, engineered wood delivers stronger performance than traditional wood siding without sacrificing visual warmth.
- Lightweight and stable
- Improved resistance to pests and moisture
- Requires professional sealing for best results
These alternatives allow homeowners to achieve a wood-style exterior while benefiting from modern durability. They reduce maintenance demands and provide greater stability when weather or aging would typically affect natural wood.
Why Homeowners Consider Alternatives
Some properties benefit more from low-maintenance siding materials, especially when upkeep is difficult or long-term performance is a priority. Common reasons to choose an alternative to wood siding include:
- Longer lifespan
- Lower maintenance cost
- Pest and woodpecker protection
- Minimal expansion and contraction
- Warranty-backed performance
Advanced siding materials help preserve the look of wood without its vulnerabilities, providing greater reliability for long-term exterior protection.
How We Help You Choose the Right Siding
Each home has different needs. We guide homeowners through the selection process based on:
- Budget and long-term goals
- Design preferences and home style
- Maintenance expectations
- Local weather impact
- HOA or architectural guidelines
We are siding installation experts in Denver, and we’ve helped many homeowners choose wood siding confidently, and we’ve helped many others discover lower-maintenance options that offer more substantial long-term value. Our goal is always the same – to help you make an informed decision backed by proven experience.
Thinking About Wood Siding? — Compare Materials With Expert Guidance
Wood siding can add beauty and charm to a home, but choosing the right material means understanding maintenance needs and long-term performance. For some homes, fiber cement or engineered wood may offer better protection without sacrificing appearance.
To compare options and get professional guidance tailored to your home and budget, contact GS Exterior Experts today. We bring decades of experience, certified installation, and a no-pressure approach to every project, helping Colorado homeowners protect their exterior with confidence.
