Wood lap siding brings with it the advantages of having a beautiful wood siding and a durable lap siding in one. However, it also has the disadvantages inherent in these siding types.

Wood Siding

It is universally accepted that wood siding is one of the most beautiful around. This beauty comes with a cost, as it is also the most demanding in terms of maintenance and the most expensive in terms of cost.

Wood siding is considered a green option because it is readily biodegradable and has no toxins. Pests, insects, and various animals that consider wood a food item in their menu will damage untreated wood, however.

Wood lap siding is durable and can actually last for several decades if it is treated on a regular basis and maintained correctly. Despite this, it is vulnerable to the elements, especially to moisture and impact.

Lap Siding

Wood lap siding has inherent advantages over shingle sidings of the same variety. First, compared to the shingle variety, lap siding is more resistant to windy weather. This is because it has more mass than the significantly smaller shingle. There are also fewer areas that water can seep into. Thus, between the two, it is more weather resistant.

When it comes to appearance, the better siding depends on the homeowner’s taste. Those who prefer a classic, seamless, or finished appearance will find lap siding more to their taste. Other people who like a more rustic or natural appeal in their home’s siding will usually choose the shingle variety.

There are distinct differences in the difficulty of installing each siding type. Shingle siding may be lighter and easier to handle, but the number of them needed to side a home makes the work somewhat more tedious. Lap siding is heavier and therefore needs more labor and some specialized tools to properly install. Another problem is if the lap siding is damaged. The whole lap siding needs to be replaced. This is a considerably larger area composed of mostly good wood compared to few small sidings for the shingle variety.

Overall

The choice of whether to go for wood siding or use some other siding material usually boils down to cost and the ability to maintain the siding. Those who value beauty will do well with wood. Those who need a more budget-friendly option will be better off with less expensive siding materials.

For wood shingle siding versus lap siding, it comes down to a matter of taste and what matches the look the homeowner would like to go for in a home. If the owner would like wood siding with more weather resistance, lap siding would be the better choice.
[subscribe2]