Best Wood Siding Options for Homes (2025)

There are tens of different wood siding options for homes across the US. You can choose between pine, cedar, fir, cypress, or spruce. We have to tell you that each type of wood has its advantages, disadvantages, and feasibility.

We went a step ahead and also found the best wood siding patterns to maximize the benefits of your chosen material. At the end, you'll have a clear idea of the materials you want and why you want them.

Best Wood Siding Materials: Variants, Costs, Longevity

Everyone wants the best, most appealing wood for their house siding. We collected the best wood siding materials for your house:

Note: We haven't included hardwoods in our list because of their high cost, maintenance, and management. We've only included softwoods that are easier to use and have affordable costs.

Best Wood Siding Materials Explained

Each wood offers multiple advantages and disadvantages according to different scenarios and regions. Here's a brief overview of the types of wood siding materials and what they're good for:

1. Pine Wood Siding

Pine is one of the most widely available and affordable wood siding materials. Pine is well known for its durability, thermal resistance, and malleability, which makes it a great option for house siding. This material is easy to work with, which also reduces installation costs.

This wood is easy to work with and is as versatile as vinyl siding. The low cost makes pine one of the cheapest siding options for suburban and urban homes in diverse regions.

2. Cedar Wood Siding

This is one of the few exterior siding options that is naturally resistant to rot, insects, and other pests. Cedar also has great longevity, which makes it a great indoor and outdoor option. The biggest downside of Cedar is that it is a softwood and requires more frequent maintenance.

Cedar, like redwood, has natural immunity to decay and rot. While the wood is high maintenance, its natural defense against pests makes it a great option for homes in suburban areas.

3. Fir Wood Siding

Pine and fir wood are similar in terms of thermal resistance, affordability, and malleability. What sets fir apart is its versatility because it can be stained and painted according to your needs. One notable downside of fir is that it's susceptible to cracking and warping.

Different variants, like White Fir, are known for their charm and resistance to fire. The texture makes it an ideal option for people who want to add curb appeal to their home. Furthermore, fir wood is inexpensive compared to other types of wood.  

4. Cypress Wood Siding

It's the perfect wood for homeowners who want aesthetics mixed with durability and longevity. Cypress wood is well known for its weather resistance and great value over time. The only major problem with Cypress is that it's difficult to work with, especially due to knots.

Cypress is our favorite type of wood for siding because it doesn't split or crack. Furthermore, cypress lasts much longer compared to pine and even cedar siding. Cypress sidings can last over 100 years if installed and prepped properly.

5. Spruce Wood Siding

Spruce is one of the more affordable but high-maintenance softwoods. Spruce is well known for its durability, ease of refinement, and aesthetic appeal. However, this wood is also prone to damage and cannot withstand long-term wear and tear.

Another thing to note is that spruce is harder to install because of knots and its overall structure. While spruce isn't very durable because of its soft wood grain, it's still a great option. Spruce has great moisture resistance, making it one of the best options for high-rain areas.

6. Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered wood is a relatively new wood siding type with great value. Engineered wood is a combination of different types of wood that gives it multiple benefits and great versatility. The major downsides of this include chemical emissions during installation and sensitivity to moisture.

While engineered doesn't have the appeal of natural wood, it certainly has the strength and durability. This type of wood is made with high-strength glue pulp, making it an impenetrable siding for your home. Different variants, such as thermally modified wood, provide users with the option to choose something tailored to their individual needs.

Detailed: Best Wood Siding Types and Structures

Choosing the type of wood siding pattern is as important as the material. Choosing the right wood siding is important to maintain the integrity of the structure and maximize the benefits of each wood. Here are detailed insights into the most popular and important wood siding patterns:

1. Lap Siding

Lap siding, or Clapboard, is one of the most common types of wood siding because of its ease of installation. You can employ different types of engineered or real wood to give your house sides more appeal and perks. For example, hardwood-based lap siding can increase the thermal resistance.

Lap siding is also much easier to manage and maintain because of its easy-to-remove structure. The overlapping structure gives it durability and natural resistance to winds, heat, pests, rain, and snow. Overall, it's one of the best siding options for people who want quality at an affordable price.

2. Drop Channel Siding

Drop Channel siding is a popular variation of lap siding. Each panel has a groove at the bottom, allowing it to connect to the adjacent panel like a jigsaw piece. The groove pattern seals the house siding, making it one of the best siding options for high-rain areas.

Drop channel siding is also versatile because you can install it in any direction. The structure also allows you to expand and contract the siding at will. If you make any changes to your property, expanding the siding is affordable and cost-effective.

3. Tongue and Groove Siding

Tongue-and-groove siding has an interlocking pattern that works like a simplified jigsaw puzzle. The tongue of one board interlocks with the groove of another board, and so on. The wood cladding interlocks the whole siding, enhancing strength and durability.

However, you can only use the tongue and groove pattern with stable woods that don't crack or split. Wood types that absorb a lot of moisture might also destabilize the whole structure. Tongue-and-groove siding isn't the ideal option for every home, and you should obtain a professional opinion before installing it.

4. Wooden Shingle Siding

Wooden shingle is an attractive siding option that offers versatility and affordability. While wooden shingles have a relatively high installation cost, the effort is well worth it. The shingles glue together like fiber cement and keep your house safe from every type of threat.

One downside of wooden shingle siding is that it requires high maintenance. Wooden shingles can break and fall, which requires more frequent replacement and repairs. Nevertheless, wooden shingles are also one of the best roofing materials, along with house siding.

5. Split Logs

Split logs possess a distinct rustic and aesthetic appeal due to their unique structure. As the name implies, logs are split in half and attached to the side of a wall. These logs still have their bark and all the endurance that Mother Nature's strongest warriors are known for.

Split log sidings are well known for their low maintenance, high durability, and aesthetic appeal. While these logs look amazing, they require precise placement. Improperly installed split logs can crack and fall due to cold contraction and heat expansion.

6. Board-and-Batten

Board and Batten siding is what you see on most barns across the US. Wide boards are placed horizontally across the frame and are covered with vertical strips of wood (batten). The vertical strips are nailed at the joined ends of the horizontal strips.

Board and Batten is versatile because you can use it with any type of wood. Furthermore, these boards are also much easier to remove and replace, which makes them a cost-effective option. One downside of this type of siding is the high initial installation cost.

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FAQs on Best Wood Siding

What is the cheapest wood siding material?

Pine is one of the cheapest siding materials because it is widely available and much easier to install. Most construction and siding contractors know how to use pine wood. Furthermore, pine has great long-term cost-to-value, which makes it a great option for houses across the US.

Which wood is fire-resistant?

Thermally modified wood is the most fire-resistant material. These woods are engineered to make them resistant to fires, which makes them an ideal option for houses in dry but forested areas. You can find thermally modified versions of spruce and fir online or at your local Home Depot.

What is the most common type of wood siding?

Cedar is one of the most common types of wood siding because it offers great thermal resistance and is widely available. Cedar siding is much easier to install, and most construction agencies know how to work with it. While a great option, cedar wood siding is somewhere around the moderate cost area.

How many houses use wood for siding in the US?

According to the NAHB's Survey of Construction, 26.8% of single-family homes use stucco for house siding. Vinyl siding was the second most popular house siding choice with a share of 25.6%. Only 5.6% of single-family homes used real wood or engineered wood for house siding.

Bottom Line on Best Wood Siding

Pine, spruce, fir, and cedar are the most common types of wood siding materials. These softwoods are versatile, resistant to weather, and visually appealing. With the right siding pattern, you can turn your home into a castle that can brave the elements.

While you're choosing the right materials, remember that a wood type is as effective as its installation. Even African Blackwood won't save you if it's installed improperly. Call us today to get assurance and quality installation at the best prices.