As a homeowner, you want your property to look nice while still having a durable exterior that can stand up to sun and weather conditions. You might think the only way to achieve this is to install uniform siding. But did you know you can combine different siding types and still achieve outstanding results? It’s not rocket science, but it’s going to require some careful planning on your part. Don’t worry, though. You’ll have an idea of what to expect when cladding your modern home by the end of this article.
But, first things first…
Why Should You Mix Up Your Siding?
As you already know, your home’s exterior is just as important as the inside of your house. It leaves a first impression on visitors, reflects your financial capability, and even provides a glimpse of your personality to outsiders.
That said, below some benefits of mixing up siding materials:
∙ Unlike a uniform design, it distinguishes your home from other houses in your neighborhood.
∙ Depending on the materials and design, it improves overall curb appeal and increases your home’s value
∙ It can also save you money. How? You can combine various siding types instead of going for a full installment of expensive materials like stone and wood.
Keep in mind that you’ll have to be very careful if you wish to achieve a clean look for your modern house. Besides the appearance, you have to make sure the materials complement each other.
Here’s a run-down on how to mix siding types.
Pick a Style
Every home has a different architectural approach that works with varying types of siding. Fortunately, a modern home design goes well with almost every siding material in existence.
Knowing this, take a look at your house first. Is it a boxy type with a flat roof? If yes, it would be best to use horizontal laps for the main exterior. Is it wide, tall, and rocks the traditional slant roof? You might want to go for vertical laps to emphasize the light and the height of the structure. A mixture of both? Then you’ll have to find the sweet spot for your home’s overall appearance.
Remember that the key to a clean siding look for modern homes lies in dividing it into sections. Insert different styles at specific intervals to achieve balance.
Best Siding Combos
When installing a single siding type, you don’t have to worry about contradicting looks. Everything is neat and uniform. However, this isn’t the case when you mix them up. You’ll have to be careful that one material doesn’t overpower the other.
For example, a stone veneer might look unnatural when installed beside a wall of brick. Mixing siding types can be pretty subjective, though. With the right design, any siding can work well with another. That’s why you’ll find many houses with mixed siding that aesthetically look fantastic.
So, if you can mix siding and it can still look great, why plan it in the first place? Well, different materials have varying durability scores and maintenance needs. As much as you’d want to beautify your home, don’t forget about the siding’s primary purpose: to protect. Knowing this, you’ll want to use durable materials for most sections.
Some of the most visually appealing and long-lasting siding types include:
∙ Brick veneer
∙ Stone veneer
∙ Stucco
∙ Modified Wood
∙ Fiber Cement
∙ Metal Siding
Honestly, any material can work in a modern home. The final output depends on your budget and what compromises you are willing to make.
Best Siding Combos
Experimenting is fun and all, but not when it comes to installing home siding. If you want to make sure your first attempt looks excellent, here are some proven eye-candy siding combos.
∙ Wood and Metal Siding
Seems like a weird combination, no? Not in real life, though. Wood’s bright, glossy texture looks great for main walls while being enclosed by metal siding’s darker contrast on the side.
∙ Stone Veneer and Stucco
This one is great if you want a simple façade complemented by sophisticated designs. You pad significant sections of your home with stucco, then use stone veneers for pillars.
∙ Wood (or Wood Look Composite) and Brick Veneer
The fact that these two are complete opposites in color and texture makes them the perfect combo to complement each other. They look best with brick rocking the central sections of your house with horizontal wood laps on the sides.
∙ Fiber Cement and Metal
Prefer a more geometric look for your house? Fiber cement’s wider board is perfect for you. Pair this with metal siding and tinted glass windows to create a simplistic approach that anyone will surely appreciate.
∙ Wood, Fiber Cement, and Stone
Yes, you’ve read right. Triple siding types of different geometric profiles are becoming popular nowadays. Install stone veneer for main pillars, wood for main blocks, and fiber cement for minor sections to achieve multiple palettes.
Conclusion
Installing home siding can make your house distinctive when done right. Don’t forget that since you’re using different materials, you’re going to need an expert to achieve a beautiful outcome. Make sure you hire a trusted contractor to achieve the look you have in mind.
