Your home’s siding is the face it shows to the world. Siding makes a statement about your home’s style, telling the world whether it’s traditional, modern, or contemporary, and expressing your personal style with the choices you make about material, color, and type of installation.
Siding is a bit of a catchall term for all types of exterior wall coverings. To better choose the look and product that is right for your home, we need to break down the options into two distinct categories: siding and shingles.
What is the Difference Between Siding and Shingles?
While many people refer to siding as any type of product that forms the outer layer of your home, shingles are actually a completely separate category. Siding is a product that is applied in panels, boards, and strips. Shingles are smaller pieces of material that are applied in an overlapping pattern. They are typically rectangular in shape and can have straight or scalloped edges.
What Are the Types of Siding Styles?
Siding comes in a wide variety of materials and can be divided into two basic types: horizontal and vertical. As the names imply, horizontal siding runs lengthwise across your home, while vertical siding is installed in an up and down pattern.
Horizontal siding styles include:
- Lap-Style (or clapboard) siding is a classic style with long overlapping boards. It is versatile, durable, and adaptable to many types of homes.
- Dutch Lap is a variation of traditional lap siding; it has a concave face and notched top to add visual interest.
- Beaded Seam Lap has a beaded edge on the bottom of each board, for a unique look that has the added benefit of shedding water more efficiently.
- Log Lap is a rustic style of overlapping rounded boards that mimic the look of a log home.
Vertical siding styles include:
- Board and Batten siding is a rustic style consisting of wide boards that are installed with narrower battens over the seams.
- Tongue and Groove siding consists of boards that fit together tightly with a tongue on one side and a groove on the other, allowing for a sleek, seamless appearance.
- Shiplap uses a special form of tongue and groove called a rabbet joint that gives a tight, weatherproof seal.
If none of these options pique your interest or suit your home’s architecture, perhaps shakes or shinglesare more your style.
What Is the Difference Between Shakes and Shingles?
While similar, shakes and shingles are produced in different ways. Shingles are machine-made, with tapered edges and visible cross-grain. They have a smooth, uniform appearance. Shingle-style homes can be found throughout the region and are popular with those who enjoy their classic look.
Traditional shakes are hand-split, aided by power equipment. Shakes have less visible grain but more texture and dimension – giving one’s home a rustic look. Because they use more raw material and require more manpower to manufacture and install, shakes can be significantly more expensive than shingles.
Recent years have seen the introduction of less expensive products that mimic the look of authentic wood. There are fiber cement and vinyl shakes available in a wide range of colors at a fraction of the cost.
How Many Shingles Does My House Need?
The amount of siding, shingles, or shakes your home needs will vary based on your home’s dimensions, architectural features, and the type of material you choose. We suggest contacting us for a fast, free estimate of what is needed to give your home the exterior look you desire.
Committed to Exceptional Service for More Than a Century
Simpson Roofing Company has been committed to providing exceptional roofing and siding services in the tri-state area for more than a century. We are a family company offering residential, commercial, and specialty and custom roofing and siding, as well as property maintenance services. Call us at (973) 794-3500 or contact us online for additional information or to request a free estimate.
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