Choosing the right vinyl siding style is about a lot more than simply choosing the right color. While it is well known that insulated vinyl siding is a good siding choice for the weather conditions in the Northeast, choosing just the right siding for a particular home takes a little thought.

Color is important, of course, but several other factors must be weighed as well. Among them are grain or pattern”would a smooth look be more appropriate for the home, for example. Each has its advantages; a smooth texture looks clean and simple, but a wood grain or other texture can add so much to the look of a home. Ultimately, the decision should be based on the overall design concept for the home.

The size of the boards is also important. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of sizes. A very popular style is the traditional barn look or barn style. This is achieved by alternating foot-wide boards with narrow boards. The effect is achieved by running the boards either horizontally or vertically. Again, this is a choice that is dependent on the individual’s aesthetic vision for the home, and the choices available to the homeowner are almost limitless.

The most common vinyl siding choice is the shingle style. But even here the homeowner has a choice. Vinyl shingles can be laid straight-edged for a smooth, uniform look, or they can be staggered, thus evoking a rustic, almost handmade feel. Again, the homeowner is only limited by his imagination.

Vinyl siding styles are very personal and are dependent on the master plan for the home. Each style has its own unique message”anything from cool, clean, modern to handmade rustic, and virtually everything in between.

In addition to a variety of different styles, the homeowner is faced with an almost limitless selection of colors to choose from. Almost any color that the homeowner can imagine is available. The basic color palette is divided into four primary shades: warm earth tones, earth tones, reds, and blues. Within each of these broad categories there are a wide range of variations.

Once the pattern and the color have been decided, the next major choice is insulated or non-insulated. In the harsh Northeast, that decision is simple: insulated. Insulated siding costs a little more, naturally, but the advantages far outweigh the added expense. Insulated vinyl siding will save a tremendous amount on the cost of energy both in heating and cooling a home; the energy savings generally equal the additional insulating cost after just 3.6 years, meaning that in less than four years insulated vinyl siding will have paid for itself.

There are a lot of advantages to vinyl siding. Style is a major consideration. Once the decision is made to use worry-free, maintenance-free vinyl siding, then the homeowner’s imagination can take over and design a look for the home that is unique to both the home and its occupants.