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Board and batten siding refers to the look and style of the installation rather than the material itself. You can install board and batten siding whether you choose vinyl, wood, fiber cement, or metal as your material. Among other popular siding styles to consider are clapboard siding, stucco, shake siding, and log cabin siding. Stone, stone veneer, brick, and brick veneer are considered high-end alternatives that can help maximize ROI and curb appeal.

Choosing siding combinations that look good together comes down to finding textures and colors that complement each other. You want some contrast so that your home doesn’t look boring or too uniform, but you also want the materials to play off of each other so that each makes the other stand out. It’s a good idea to hire a siding professional to create 3D renderings for you so you can get a sense of what your home will look and feel like before you get started.

You should plan to stain or refinish your home's cedar siding every three to seven years to maintain its appearance and provide maximum protection, though some estimates suggest a range of four to six years. The exact frequency depends on several factors, including your local climate, exposure to severe weather like direct sunlight, rain, and wind, the quality of the initial stain application, the type of stain used, and the overall condition and quality of the wood.

For homes in harsh climates with high humidity and significant sun exposure, you should plan on staining as often as every three years, while those in milder locations may only need to do so every seven years. For the longest-lasting protection in particularly harsh climates, consider using an opaque stain.

If you are looking for a lower-maintenance alternative, you might consider vinyl or aluminum siding. While the initial installation cost can be higher, they do not require as much upkeep and can offer more value over time, especially in areas with excessive rainfall or high humidity.

There should be small gaps between your roof and the walls of your home, and other buildings. These small gaps let building materials shift, expand, and contract with weather and other outside forces, and they prevent moisture from wicking down walls from roofing and gutter systems. Without these strategic gaps, your home’s exterior and its finishes can sustain water damage, decay, peel, delaminate, and crack. However, there is a fine line between a smart gap and a problematic gap—all  gaps should be small, intentional, and covered or filled in with foam insulation to prevent pests from using them as access points.