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You should restain or refinish your home's cedar siding every three to seven years to maintain its appearance and ensure maximum protection. The precise frequency depends on several factors, including your local climate, the siding's exposure to severe weather like direct sunlight, rain, and wind, the quality of the initial stain application, the type of stain used, and the condition of the wood.

Homeowners in harsh climates with high humidity and significant direct sunlight should plan on restaining every three years, while those in milder locations can wait up to seven years. For the longest-lasting protection in particularly harsh environments, consider using an opaque stain.

If you're looking for a lower-maintenance alternative, vinyl or aluminum siding are options to consider. Although their installation cost may be higher, they don't require as much upkeep over time, which can provide more value, especially in areas with excessive rainfall or high humidity.

Hardie board is more expensive than vinyl siding. Vinyl siding costs $3 to $12 per square foot, on average, with cost skewing toward the lower end of that range. Hardie board siding costs $7 to $18 per square foot, depending on the style, color, and trim. However, it lasts twice as long and often looks nicer, meaning you’ll see a higher bump in your home value and greater curb appeal from Hardie board.

As stunning and natural as stone siding is, it's not for everyone. Some popular siding alternatives to stone siding include:

• Aluminum siding

• Brick veneer siding

• Engineered wood siding

• Fiber cement siding

• Wood siding

• Vinyl siding

If you want the look of natural stone siding without the high material and installation costs, vinyl siding may be one of the best alternatives. It’s lightweight, low-cost, and low maintenance but does have a lower life span than natural stone.

A self-etching primer is the best option for aluminum siding. These are specifically designed to bond with bare metals, among other surfaces, leading to better adhesion and corrosion resistance. An oil-based primer is a good alternative if you can’t find a self-etching primer.