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We’ve all probably seen vertical lines appearing on the walls of some structures and wondered what it is. We’ve also seen the traditional horizontal siding on most residential homes.
Although they serve exactly the same purpose, the two materials are very different in their purpose, manufacturing, and method of installation.
The first example describes vertical siding, which is usually provided in large sheets, while the second example describes horizontal siding, which is usually in smaller pieces.
Vertical siding can be heavy and inconvenient, while horizontal siding is often lighter and easier to work with.
Today, we will discuss the main differences between the two materials and try to provide some information to help the homeowner choose the best siding for their home.
Which is better: horizontal or vertical siding
The answer often depends on what type of structure the siding will be used on and the available budget. For example, vertical siding is typically slightly less expensive than horizontal siding, while horizontal siding often performs better than vertical siding. Vertical siding is typically faster to install than horizontal siding, yet horizontal siding offers more selections and styles.
Some siding materials look great on a home, but look mismatched on a storage building. Others look quite simple, and don’t look very attractive on a home.
The solution for most homeowners lies in asking what the most important elements of the project are.Today’s Homeowner Tip
Are looks more important than function? Does regular maintenance seem like too much of a hassle? Is the budget too small or large? Once these questions have been answered, the available options usually come into focus.
For most homes with some type of siding, horizontal lap siding is the top choice. Horizontal lap siding has been around for decades, as has vertical siding, yet most consumers choose horizontal siding for homes. Whether simply to enhance the look of vertical siding, or to take advantage of the durability and low maintenance of horizontal siding, most consumers spend the extra money to purchase the horizontal version, especially for homes.
This doesn’t mean that vertical siding has no place in modern construction. In fact, vertical siding is still used to solve a variety of construction concerns, including cost and installation. The advantages of vertical siding are that it is easy to install, quite affordable, and durable with regular maintenance.
Vertical siding is typically sold in 4′ x 8′ sheets, making it one of the fastest siding materials to install by square foot. These sheets contain 32 square feet of siding per sheet, and can often be installed in just a few minutes. Vertical siding can also be installed with simple carpentry tools, making it a popular choice among do-it-yourselfers.
Which should I use on my house, horizontal or vertical siding?
Both horizontal and vertical siding do a great job of protecting a home from the weather. Although horizontal siding is generally considered more attractive, this may simply be due to the belief that vertical siding is older technology and many people consider it inferior.
This is not actually true. In most cases, vertical siding is more impact-resistant and a better insulator than horizontal siding. However, many homeowners would prefer to trade the added durability and slight R-value increase for a lower-maintenance product.
Vertical siding is typically made from wood and wood products to create a stable, uniform, durable siding that can last for years. The caveat, however, is that wood-based siding will require regular sealing and painting (about every 10 years), or the material will quickly disintegrate in the elements.
This sealing must be done with high-quality exterior paint and sealer, which will cost extra, not to mention the extra labor involved. Therefore, when comparing the total cost of ownership of the two products, vertical siding is often more expensive than its horizontal counterpart.
However, just because a siding product is installed horizontally doesn’t mean the siding will be low maintenance. While many horizontal siding materials are very low maintenance, such as vinyl and aluminum, some products such as fiber cement board and engineered siding are not. For example, fiber cement lap siding requires about the same maintenance as wood siding, is more expensive to install and requires special tools and safety gear to work with the material.
Engineered siding is typically a horizontal siding product made by combining wood products with resins and chemicals to improve their moisture and rot resistance.
Typically pressure-treated, these siding panels are installed like fiber cement or hardboard siding, as opposed to vinyl siding or aluminum siding. This makes engineered siding a more popular choice among do-it-yourselfers, as common carpentry tools are usually sufficient to install the product.
However, although the material is specifically designed to be more durable, the need for regular maintenance must be factored into the total cost of ownership. Engineered wood siding typically comes already primed, however, making installation of the product a bit faster.
Can I install horizontal or vertical siding myself?
The average DIYer probably has the skills to install either horizontal or vertical siding, with the exception of fiber cement products. Fiber cement siding comes in both horizontal and semi-vertical versions, and these products require special training and safety equipment to work with safely. Unless a homeowner has advanced skills and the necessary tools, fiber cement siding is generally not friendly to the do-it-yourselfer.
Most other siding products, such as T1-11 vertical siding, hardboard, engineered wood, vinyl and aluminum are much more DIY-friendly and are often within the skill set of the average homeowner. However, it should be noted that installing siding can be dangerous, as the project often requires power tools and ladders. Professionals will usually not advise do-it-yourselfers to attempt a two-story siding project unless they are comfortable working on ladders and walkboards.
Average Cost Comparison: Horizontal vs. Vertical Siding
Horizontal siding requires less labor to install due to its lighter weight and flexible nature. Horizontal siding (especially vinyl and aluminum products) will often cost about the same or slightly more than vertical siding. But, since these horizontal products are much easier and faster to install, the overall cost of a project using them is often reduced.
- Horizontal lap siding average cost per square foot: $3.00 – $11.00
- Average cost of vertical siding per square foot: $4.00 – $12.00
What should I consider before making a decision?
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Like any other building material, the region where siding material is purchased from can have an impact on the cost. A home built in Tennessee will typically be less expensive than a home built in Maine, so planning your material purchases as carefully as possible is a time-saver.
Fortunately, most siding products are made from common materials, so prices are affected more by logistics than the actual material.
Get the look you want based on your needs
There are hundreds of different styles of horizontal and vertical siding. In fact, there are so many styles that customers can easily become overwhelmed with the choices available. The best move for most homeowners is to first decide what the project needs in terms of life span, required maintenance and appearance. Narrowing down the critical elements of a project can help determine which materials to use where and how. The most important thing, however, is to choose materials that protect, look good and last a long time.