Choose the Best Siding to Modernize Your Small Home

If you live in a small house under 1500 square feet, upgrading your exterior siding can completely transform the look and feel of your home. With so many siding options to choose from, selecting the right materials for your petite home can be overwhelming.

Key Considerations When Choosing Siding

Durability and Lifespan

The lifespan of different sidings ranges widely, from around 10 years for basic wood sidings to over 50 years for fiber cement. When dealing with a small home, it's especially important to select a durable siding that will last. Replacing sidings on a tiny house can be more complicated and expensive than a single story ranch. Here's a comparison of expected durability for the most common sidings:

• Pine or cedar wood: 10-15 years
• Vinyl: 20-30 years
• Fiber cement: 30-50+ years
• Corrugated metal: 30+ years
• Standing seam metal: 50+ years

As you can see, metal and fiber cement sidings are your best bet for long-lasting exterior protection. Pine and cedar wood provide a classic look, but will need replacement sooner.

Cost and Affordability

Along with varying lifespans, popular sidings range drastically in upfront costs. Here are average price ranges per square foot:

• Pine wood: $2-3 per sq. ft.
• Vinyl: $3-4 per sq. ft.
• Fiber cement: $4-7 per sq. ft.
• Corrugated metal: $3.50-5 per sq. ft.
• Standing seam metal: $5-6 per sq. ft.

Pine wood and basic vinyl sidings provide the most budget-friendly options. Fiber cement is the priciest, but also will last over twice as long as basic vinyls before needing replacement. Corrugated and standing seam metal offer distinctive styling at mid-range pricing.

Appearance and Styles

Small homes can take on a variety of aesthetic looks through different siding styles. You'll want to select materials that enhance your house's existing architecture and design. Here are some key considerations:

• Vertical or horizontal orientation
• Neutral, earthy or bold colors
• Flat, grooved, rough-sawn or ribbed texture
• Traditional lap styles or modern, industrial looks
• Mix and match different textures and panels

Wood sidings like cedar and pine provide traditional profiles, often installed horizontally. Fiber cement and vinyls offer realistic wood grain appearance or smooth, painted surfaces. Corrugated metal has an industrial, contemporary look, while standing seam metal provides clean, modern lines.

Weight and Installation

Besides appearance and cost, the weight and installation process vary drastically for small house sidings. If taking on a DIY siding project, you'll want to consider:

• Pine wood: 1-1.5 lbs per square foot, easy to install
• Fiber cement: 5-6 lbs per square foot, needs special saws
• Vinyl: 1-3 lbs per square foot, nails easily
• Corrugated metal: 1-3 lbs per square foot, trimmed with tin snips
• Standing seam metal: 1-2 lbs per square foot, modular interlocking panels

Pine wood wins for easiest installation, as its light weight allows it to be nailed up using basic tools. Fiber cement requires special carbide-tipped blades and saws to cut cleanly before nailing up sheets. Vinyl sidings are typically installed with panel clips, slipping into place after starter strips are leveled. Corrugated metal uses overlapping panels and trim pieces to adapt to different buildings. Finally, standing seam metal uses modular interlocking panels spanning from roof to wall for simple attachment.

Top Sidings for Small Houses

Now that we've covered the key decision points, here is an overview of our top recommended sidings specifically for petite homes under 1500 square feet.

Wood Sidings

For a classic look, wood siding simply can't be beat. However, select heartier wood sidings will hold up better for small homes than basic pine or cedar planks. We suggest:

• Fiber Cement: With double the durability of wood at a competitive price, various fiber cement sidings mimic the look of authentic wood minus the upkeep. James Hardie provides Fibercement lap siding meant to resemble cedar planks.
• LP SmartSide: This engineered wood siding looks just like real wood siding, but resists moisture and warping 50% better. The textured surface even has wood grain for added authenticity on a budget.

Vinyl and Composite Sidings

For nearly maintenance-free durability, vinyl siding provides the top value. Composite sidings take this a step further for small homes by better resisting impact damage while still offering a realistic painted wood look. Recommended options include:

• Standard vinyl siding: Available in clapboard, Dutch lap and vertical panel profiles, quality vinyl holds up to weather while mimicking painted wood's appearance.
• Engineered composite siding: CertainTeed Vinyl Carpentry products combine PVC exterior over insulation for impact protection plus sleek architectural styles resembling wood.

Metal Sidings

For contemporary curb appeal, metal sidings make a unique impression while offering extreme durability. Standing seam systems provide next-level waterproofing by using interlocking panels.

• Corrugated metal: These ribbed steel panels allow modern homes to mimic industrial warehouses in an affordable, DIY-friendly profile.
• Standing seam metal: Higher end standing seam metal modules use concealed clips between panels for upscale aesthetics with commercial-grade performance.

Key Differences and Considerations

To choose among various siding styles for your individual home, keep these core differences in mind:

Wood vs. Vinyl vs. Metal Comparison

How do fiber cement, vinyl and metal sidings stack up across priorities like longevity, maintenance, cost and resale value?

• Fiber cement is the longest-lasting but also priciest. It offers the best resale value by enhancing curb appeal the most.
• Vinyl is the most affordable and needs virtually no upkeep. Its lightweight structure resists impacts better than wood or fiber cement.
• Metal sidings have exceptional durability with unique, contemporary styling. Standing seam systems protect best against heavy rain or snow.

Painting, Staining, Cleaning Needs

How much effort will maintaining your siding's appearance require?

• Wood moldings will need refinishing every 5-10 years to treat weathering and age.
• Fiber cement can be painted to refresh its look after a decade or when desired.
• Vinyl and metal sidings won't ever need painting or staining due to their durable construction.

For cleaning, a garden hose is sufficient for vinyl and painted surfaces when needed. Unpainted wood needs special cleaning solutions to treat mold or mildew over time.

DIY Installation Tips and Tricks

Fibercement and metal sidings in particular have specialized cutting and fastening requirements compared to basic wood planks. Here are some pointers if taking on these challenging siding materials yourself:

• Use carbide-tipped circular and miter saws for smooth cuts in fiber cement.
• Avoid screwing fasteners too tightly into metal panels, allowing room for expansion and contraction.
• Use scaffolding or mobile lift platforms to navigate taller sections around windows or peaks.
• Pre-drill resin edges in fiber cement before attempting mechanized cuts to prevent cracking or splintering.

For first-timers, vinyl and tongue-and-groove wood sidings will prove the most beginner friendly. Make sure to watch online video guides before attempting any specialized siding for crucial installation tips.

Taking your small home's style into the 21st century starts with selecting the ideal siding for your vision. If aiming for light maintenance and affordability, basic vinyl clapboard profiles deliver. Seeking sophisticated improvements in resale value? Fiber cement with authentic wood grain texture tops choices. For adventurous contemporary flair, metal sidings create a modern, industrial vibe.

By understanding differences among materials for longevity, pricing, curb appeal and ease of installation, you can pick both perfect siding styles and colors for your petite home's facelift. Confidently envision how corrugated steel panels, lap vinyl or composite shingles will completely transform your exterior's spirit and function for decades to come. Which route will your new siding take you?