Choosing the Right Siding: A Guide to Popular Siding Options for Michigan Homes

New siding can completely change the look of your home—but appearance is only part of the decision.

Your siding is also one of your home's first lines of defense against rain, snow, wind, moisture, and Michigan's constantly changing temperatures. The right siding can improve curb appeal, reduce maintenance, and protect your home's exterior for years to come.

With so many materials, profiles, colors, and price points available, how do you decide which siding is right for your home?

Let's take a look at some of the most popular siding options for Michigan homeowners.

1. Vinyl Siding

Vinyl continues to be one of the most popular siding choices, and for good reason. It's affordable, low-maintenance, versatile, and available in a huge variety of colors and profiles.

Benefits of Vinyl Siding

• Generally one of the more affordable siding options

• Low maintenance

• Doesn't require regular painting

• Wide selection of colors

• Multiple profiles and styles

• Easy to coordinate with trim, shutters, stone, and other exterior features

• Works with almost any style of home

Modern vinyl siding has come a long way. Depending on the manufacturer and product line, homeowners can choose from traditional lap siding, Dutch lap, board and batten, shake-style siding, and more.

Things to Consider

Not all vinyl siding is the same. Thickness, construction, wind ratings, color technology, and warranties can vary significantly between product lines.

If you're comparing vinyl siding estimates, make sure you're comparing the actual siding products, not just the price.

2. Insulated Vinyl Siding

If you like the affordability and low maintenance of vinyl but want an upgraded product, insulated vinyl siding may be worth considering.

This type of siding includes a layer of rigid foam insulation behind the vinyl panel.

The insulation can provide additional rigidity while also adding some thermal resistance to the exterior wall assembly.

Insulated siding is typically more expensive than standard vinyl but can be a nice middle ground for homeowners looking for an upgraded vinyl siding system.

3. LP SmartSide

LP SmartSide is an engineered wood siding product that has become increasingly popular for homeowners who want the appearance of traditional wood without some of the maintenance concerns associated with natural wood siding.

It is available in several styles, including lap siding, board and batten, shakes, and panels.

Benefits of LP SmartSide

• Authentic wood appearance

• Available in many colors

• Works well for traditional and modern homes

• Durable engineered construction

• Multiple siding profiles available

• Great option for board and batten designs

• Can create a higher-end exterior appearance

LP SmartSide is especially popular on farmhouse-style homes and exterior remodels where homeowners want more texture and character than standard vinyl siding provides.

Things to Consider

LP SmartSide generally costs more than standard vinyl siding and requires proper installation, flashing, clearances, and finishing.

As with any siding product, following manufacturer installation requirements is important to long-term performance.

4. Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding, including products such as James Hardie siding, is another premium option.

It's manufactured from a combination of cement, sand, cellulose fibers, and other materials to create a durable exterior siding product.

Benefits of Fiber Cement

• Durable

• Resistant to many common exterior threats

• Provides a high-end appearance

• Available in lap, panel, and other profiles

• Can closely resemble painted wood siding

• Available in many colors

Fiber cement is a popular choice for homeowners who like the appearance of wood siding but want a different type of manufactured product.

Things to Consider

Fiber cement is heavier than vinyl and typically requires more labor to install.

It's also generally more expensive than vinyl siding, so homeowners should consider both the initial investment and the look they're trying to achieve.

5. Board and Batten Siding

Board and batten isn't necessarily a completely different siding material—it's a siding style.

Instead of running horizontally across the house, board and batten siding runs vertically.

It's become extremely popular on modern farmhouses, additions, garages, gable ends, and exterior accent areas.

Board and batten is available in materials such as:

• Vinyl

• Engineered wood

• Fiber cement

• Metal

You don't have to use board and batten on the entire house, either.

Combining horizontal lap siding with board and batten on gables or other architectural areas can add dimension without making the exterior feel too busy.

6. Shake and Shingle-Style Siding

Shake siding is another great way to add character to a home's exterior.

Today's shake-style siding can give you the appearance of cedar shakes without requiring the maintenance associated with natural wood.

It's commonly used on:

• Gable peaks

• Dormers

• Porches

• Front elevations

• Accent walls

• Entire homes

Shake siding pairs especially well with traditional lap siding.

For example, you might choose horizontal vinyl siding for most of the home and install shake siding in the front gables to create additional texture and visual interest.

It's a relatively simple design choice that can make a huge difference in the finished exterior.

7. Metal Siding

Metal isn't just for roofing or pole barns.

Residential metal siding has become increasingly popular, especially on modern homes, cabins, barndominiums, and contemporary farmhouse designs.

Benefits of Metal Siding

• Durable

• Low maintenance

• Clean, modern appearance

• Works well in Michigan weather

• Available in multiple profiles and colors

• Pairs well with stone, wood accents, and other siding materials

Metal siding can also make an excellent accent material without being installed on the entire house.

Can You Mix Different Types of Siding?

Absolutely—and this is one of our favorite ways to give an exterior more character.

You don't have to choose one siding profile and put it everywhere.

Some popular combinations include:

• Horizontal siding + shake gables

• Horizontal siding + board and batten

• Board and batten + stone

• Vinyl siding + manufactured stone

• LP SmartSide + stone

• Metal siding + wood-look accents

• Shake siding + contrasting trim

Using multiple materials or profiles can highlight architectural features and make even a relatively simple home look completely different.

The trick is choosing materials and colors that complement each other rather than compete for attention.

What About Siding Color?

Once you've chosen the material, picking a color can feel like an entirely new project.

A few things to consider include your:

• Roof color

• Window color

• Exterior doors

• Garage doors

• Stone or brick

• Soffit and fascia

• Gutters

• Home's architectural style

• Surrounding landscape

Instead of looking at siding color by itself, think about the entire exterior color palette.

For example, a dark roof paired with lighter siding and dark trim can create a completely different look than using one color throughout the exterior.

Samples are especially helpful because siding colors can look dramatically different outside than they do on a computer screen.

Dark vs. Light Siding

Both can look great.

Lighter siding colors tend to create a classic appearance and can make a home feel larger and brighter.

Darker siding colors can create a dramatic, modern look and look especially sharp with contrasting trim, stone, or wood accents.

Some manufacturers also offer siding specifically engineered to improve color performance in darker shades.

If you're interested in a very dark siding color, ask about the specific product line and manufacturer recommendations.

Which Siding Requires the Least Maintenance?

For homeowners who prioritize low maintenance, vinyl and metal siding are popular options because they don't require routine painting.

Other siding products may require different levels of maintenance depending on their finish, exposure, and manufacturer requirements.

No exterior material is completely maintenance-free, though.

Regardless of siding type, homeowners should periodically inspect areas around windows, doors, penetrations, flashing, and other transitions for signs of damage or moisture.

Which Siding Is the Most Affordable?

In many cases, standard vinyl siding is one of the most budget-friendly choices.

From there, pricing can increase depending on the material, product line, profile, color, insulation, trim package, and complexity of the home.

Specialty profiles such as shakes and board and batten may also cost more than standard horizontal siding.

If you're trying to stay within a particular budget, one option is to use a more affordable siding across most of the house and add premium materials only in accent areas.

That can give you a custom look without the cost of installing the premium product everywhere.

Don't Forget What's Behind the Siding

Siding is only the visible part of the exterior wall system.

During a siding replacement, it's also important to consider what's happening underneath.

Depending on the home and project, this may include:

• Existing wall sheathing

• House wrap or weather-resistant barrier

• Fanfold insulation

• Flashing

• Window and door openings

• Exterior trim

• Water-damaged materials

If existing siding is removed and damaged sheathing or other problems are discovered, those issues should be addressed before everything is covered with new siding.

Which Siding Is Best for Michigan Homes?

There's no single siding material that's best for every Michigan home.

For many homeowners, vinyl siding offers a great combination of affordability, appearance, and low maintenance.

If you're looking for a more premium wood-like appearance, LP SmartSide or fiber cement may be worth considering.

If you want a modern or farmhouse look, board and batten can completely change the character of the home.

And if your exterior needs a little more personality, adding shake siding, stone, or another accent material can make a huge difference.

Ultimately, the right choice comes down to your budget, desired appearance, maintenance expectations, and long-term plans for the home.

Siding Installation in Genesee County, Michigan

If you're thinking about replacing your siding in Flint, Grand Blanc, Davison, Burton, Flushing, Fenton, Swartz Creek, Clio, or elsewhere in Genesee County, Murphy Builders can help you compare your options.

We can help you look at different siding materials, profiles, colors, trim options, and accent combinations to create an exterior that works for your home and your budget.

Whether you want classic vinyl siding, board and batten, shake accents, LP SmartSide, or a completely new exterior design, we'll help you figure out the right combination.

Ready to Give Your Home a New Look?

New siding is one of the biggest exterior transformations you can make to your home.

Contact Murphy Builders to request a siding estimate in Genesee County, Michigan. We can help you compare siding options, choose colors and profiles, and create an exterior you'll love coming home to.