What Are The Best House Siding Options For PA Homeowners?

Siding isn’t just decorative; it plays a critical role in protecting your home. If you’re feeling stuck on your search for the best house siding options, we’re here to guide you. We’ll cover everything PA homeowners need to consider, so you can choose siding that fits your house, budget, and goals.

Our crews at KSW Construction LLC are licensed and insured professionals who understand the world of siding inside and out. Reach out with your questions, and we can take a look at your house.

Why Is Siding Important?

Before we dive into your residential siding options, let’s understand why it’s important to choose the right material.

1). It Affects Aesthetics & Curb Appeal

The exterior of your home is the first thing people see. When guests pull into your driveway or neighbors walk their dog past your yard, your siding sets the tone for the rest of your house. Choosing the right option enhances your curb appeal and yields a strong return on investment. This is especially important if you plan on selling your home in the future, as a siding replacement increases its value.

2). It Protects Against the Elements

Pennsylvania is known for its harsh winters and humid summers. Having quality siding that can withstand these weather conditions is crucial to keeping you and your home safe. The right choice will provide insulation, protect against moisture, and prevent damage from extreme temperatures.

3). It’s An Investment

Of all the home improvement projects you can tackle, this is one of the biggest. Siding covers a large surface area and is highly visible. That’s why you need a material that’s durable and requires minimal maintenance.

The Best House Siding Options for PA Homeowners

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices in Pennsylvania. It’s affordable, low maintenance, and comes in a variety of colors and styles. Vinyl siding is also durable and can withstand harsh weather conditions, making it a great option for PA homeowners.

At KSW, we proudly partner with CertainTeed to bring you lasting vinyl siding options. If you like certain styles—like board and batten or shake shingle—CertainTeed can create that look in a cost-effective and easy-to-maintain vinyl material. You can also preview how different colors will look on your home with their free COLORVIEW® tool. 

• Pros: Low priced, comes in a variety of styles, can last up to 40 years, and only needs the occasional cleaning. 
• Cons: Can crack or fade over time, especially with extreme temperatures.

Aluminum Siding

For many homeowners, aluminum is an attractive house siding option due to its durability, affordability, and versatility. This lower-priced material comes in several colors, styles, and thicknesses. Plus, it’s fireproof and waterproof, so there’s no need to worry about mold. It deters pests and can last for over 40 years! 

However, one of the main disadvantages of aluminum siding is that it can dent and scratch easily. These marks aren’t as simple to repair as other materials. Another drawback is that metal siding can be noisy in extreme weather, like high heat, wind, or rain. 

• Pros: Affordable, durable, comes in several colors and styles, and materials are recyclable.
• Cons: Prone to dents, harder to repair, noisy, often pricier than vinyl, and needs to be repainted every few years as the color fades.

Wood Siding

For a more traditional look, wood is a great exterior siding option! It’s aesthetically pleasing, environmentally friendly, and can last for 40 years or more (depending on the wood type). Wood also provides natural insulation, making it energy efficient. 

However, wood siding requires regular maintenance. This includes painting or staining every few years to prevent rot and insect problems. It’s also more susceptible to fire and water damage, which can be a concern for homeowners in this Pennsylvania climate.

• Pros: Environmentally friendly, energy efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and long lasting. 
• Cons: High maintenance, higher upfront costs, and susceptible to water and pest damage.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding is a composite material made from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. It mimics the natural look of wood and can be painted any color you want! But unlike wood, it resists rot, pests, and fire. If properly cared for, it can last for up to 50 years or more.

The biggest disadvantage of fiber cement is the cost. It’s more expensive than vinyl and aluminum, but a similar price to wood. It also involves complex installation, which increases costs. In terms of maintenance, expect to repaint your siding every 15 years or so. 

• Pros: Durable, low maintenance, and many color options.
• Cons: Higher upfront costs, heavy material, and prone to cracking.

Brick Siding

Brick is another house siding option that adds a timeless look (and a high resale value). It’s a durable, low-maintenance product and can withstand extreme weather conditions. Brick siding is also energy efficient and provides excellent insulation, which can help lower your monthly expenses. It may need to be re-mortared at some point, but otherwise it’s easy to maintain.

The biggest downside of brick is its cost. It can be one of the more expensive options, and it also requires professional installation. However, with its long lifespan and minimal maintenance, it can be a worthwhile investment for your home.

• Pros: Can last 100+ years, low maintenance, fire resistant, and provides good temperature control.
• Cons: Expensive, time-consuming installation, and limited design options.

Stucco Siding

If you’re looking for a unique and modern exterior siding option, then stucco could be a solid choice for you. It’s made of cement, sand, and lime, and can be applied in a variety of textures and colors. Stucco siding resists rot, insects, and fire and provides good insulation. It only needs the occasional cleaning to keep it in good shape.

One of the disadvantages of stucco siding is that it is prone to cracking, especially in areas with high humidity. When this happens, you need immediate repairs or remediation. It also requires labor-intensive installation, which can add to the overall cost. However, with proper maintenance, stucco siding can last over 50 years.

• Pros: Durable, medium maintenance, and comes in a variety of colors and textures.
• Cons: Prone to cracking, difficult to repaint, and cost is on the higher end.

How to Choose the Right House Siding Option For You

As a Central Pennsylvania contractor, our advice is simple: think long-term. The best house siding option is the one that fits your home, your lifestyle, your budget, and your climate while delivering value you’ll appreciate for years to come.

Below we’ve charted out your options so you can quickly assess what factors are most important as you try to determine the right siding material.

Type	Cost	Maintenance	Average Lifespan
Vinyl	$	Low	Up to 40 years
Aluminum	$	Medium	Up to 40–50 years
Wood	$$	High	Up to 20-40 years (or more depending on wood type)
Fiber Cement	$$	Low	Up to 50+ years
Brick	$$$	Low	Up to 100+ years
Stucco	$$$	Medium	Up to 50-80 years

• Budget: House siding options vary widely in cost, so the best choice depends on how much you’re willing to invest. Materials like vinyl are more affordable, while brick or stucco cost more upfront.
• Climate: Your local weather matters, so choose siding that can handle Central Pennsylvania’s humidity, cold winters, and temperature swings without facing issues like mold.
• Maintenance: Consider how much upkeep you’re willing to take on, since materials like wood and stucco require regular maintenance, while vinyl and fiber cement are much easier to maintain.
• Aesthetics: Siding has a big impact on curb appeal, so select a material, color, and texture that complements your home’s style and architecture.

Related Questions