Get matched with top siding pros in Rocky Point, NC

Different types of siding provide unique aesthetic and structural features, with each material commanding its own cost. Availability of materials and shipping costs also factors largely into the cost. The common types of siding materials include:

• Stucco: $7–$9 per square foot

• Wood: $1–$15 per square foot

• Engineered wood: $1–$6 per square foot

• Aluminum: $3–$6 per square foot

• Fiber cement: $5–$14 per square foot

• Brick: $10–$20 per square foot

• Brick veneer: $3–$10 per square foot

• Stone: $7–$30 per square foot

• Stone veneer: $5–$11 per square foot

The main differences between dutch lap versus clapboard siding have to do with their design and texture. Clapboard siding features flat, beveled planks stacked at a slight angle, offering a simple, traditional look. Dutch lap siding features a subtly concave surface along with a notch that creates a shadowed look between the boards. This eye-catching design often resembles wood grain and introduces a noticeable shadow line, making it more visually interesting compared to the simpler look of clapboard siding.

You can calculate the required square footage of siding you need by measuring the height and width of your home’s rectangular exterior walls. For the triangular-shaped gable walls, measure the height from the ground to the tallest gable point to make sure you have enough for good coverage. Once you have combined the totals for each wall, add another 10% to account for wasted materials. It’s also good to have extra siding on hand to tackle wood siding repair down the road.

You cannot install clapboard siding on a bare, unprepared surface. Clapboard siding requires a clean, sturdy base made from plywood or similar materials, sometimes called backerboard. Then, it needs an underlayment or sheathing, a moisture membrane to help protect the exterior wall.

Note that sometimes clapboard siding is caulked as it’s installed for additional protection. We don’t suggest this: Caulking the siding can trap moisture inside the clapboards and lead to moisture damage over time. The siding needs some space to “breathe,” especially in rainy weather.