Materials, Maintenance, and Warning Signs
Siding does more than make a house look good. It helps protect the walls from rain, wind, snow, and Michigan's changing weather.
Whether you're buying a home, preparing to sell, building new, or maintaining the one you already own, understanding siding materials can help you recognize problems and make better decisions.
Common Types of Home Siding
Vinyl Siding
One of the most common siding materials on Michigan homes.
Relatively affordable and low maintenance.
Available in many colors, textures, and styles.
Can crack from impact or become distorted by heat.
Needs proper installation to allow expansion and contraction.
Aluminum Siding
Often found on older homes.
Resistant to rot and insects.
Can dent from hail or other impacts.
Painted finishes may fade or become chalky.
Often repairable without replacing the entire exterior.
Wood Siding
Found on older homes, traditional designs, and some custom homes.
Natural appearance with several design options.
Requires painting, staining, or other maintenance.
Can deteriorate when moisture is allowed to remain.
Needs attention around joints, trim, and exposed ends.
Fiber Cement Siding
A manufactured material generally made with cement, cellulose fibers, and other ingredients.
Available in horizontal lap siding, vertical panels, and shingle styles.
Resistant to rot and insect damage.
Often selected for its appearance and durability.
Proper flashing, fastening, clearances, and installation are important.
Engineered Wood Siding
Manufactured using wood strands or fibers combined with resins and protective treatments.
Offers a wood appearance in several profiles.
Available in horizontal and vertical designs.
Often supplied with factory applied finishes.
Requires proper installation and moisture management.
Composite and Cellular PVC Siding
Manufactured alternatives designed to provide different exterior finishes with reduced maintenance requirements.
Available in wood-look and contemporary styles.
Some products offer strong moisture resistance.
Material composition and installation requirements vary by manufacturer.
Often more expensive than basic vinyl siding.
Metal Siding
Steel and aluminum siding are used on both traditional and contemporary homes.
Available in horizontal and vertical profiles.
Resistant to rot and insect damage.
Can dent or scratch depending on the material and finish.
Proper fastening and detailing help accommodate temperature changes.
Brick Veneer
Many Michigan homes have brick exteriors, but brick veneer is different from a structural brick wall.
Durable exterior finish.
Requires maintenance of mortar joints and flashing.
Weep holes allow moisture to drain from behind the brick.
Cracking, displacement, or deteriorating mortar may need evaluation.
Manufactured Stone Veneer
A decorative exterior covering designed to resemble natural stone.
Commonly used around entrances and on front elevations.
Available in numerous colors and textures.
Requires properly installed flashing and drainage details.
Improper installation can allow moisture damage behind the material.
What Siding Are Builders Using on New Homes Today?
New construction homes offer more exterior choices than many buyers realize.
Traditional vinyl siding remains common, but builders also use fiber cement, engineered wood, composite siding, metal, brick veneer, and manufactured stone.
Some popular design choices include wider horizontal siding, vertical board and batten, darker colors, and combinations of materials on the same home.
Here are several manufacturers worth knowing:
James Hardie: Known for fiber cement siding, including horizontal lap siding, vertical panels, and shingle designs.
LP SmartSide: Engineered wood siding and trim available in multiple styles and factory finish options.
CertainTeed: Vinyl siding, insulated siding, shakes, and traditional exterior profiles.
Westlake Royal Building Products: Offers Royal vinyl siding, Celect composite siding, TruExterior poly-ash products, and Cedar Renditions aluminum siding.
AZEK Exteriors: Premium exterior siding and trim products, including cellular PVC options.
EDCO: Steel siding and other metal exterior products.
These manufacturers offer useful examples of materials, colors, profiles, installation requirements, and maintenance recommendations.
What About New Construction in Michigan?
You'll often see homes combining multiple exterior materials.
A house might have brick across the front, vinyl siding on the sides, and vertical siding around the entry or gables.
Higher-priced custom homes may feature more extensive fiber cement, engineered wood, metal, or specialty siding.
When comparing new construction homes, ask:
What brand and specific siding product is being installed?
Is the siding factory finished or painted after installation?
What maintenance does the manufacturer recommend?
What warranty applies to the material and finish?
What flashing and water management system is installed behind it?
Are the materials shown on the model home included in the purchase price?
A recognizable brand can be a good starting point, but proper installation matters just as much as the product itself.
What's Behind the Siding?
This is one of the most important things to understand.
Siding is generally the outer covering of a wall, not the only thing protecting the home from water.
A typical modern exterior wall may include:
Exterior siding.
A drainage space or other drainage provisions, depending on the assembly.
A water resistive barrier.
Wall sheathing.
Framing and insulation.
Interior wall finishes.
Proper flashing around windows, doors, and other openings helps direct water back outside.
A house can have attractive siding and still experience water damage if the materials underneath were improperly installed.
For additional technical information, visit the U.S. Department of Energy's Building America Solution Center.
Warning Signs to Look For
Walk around the outside of the house and look for:
Cracked, loose, or missing siding.
Warped or buckled panels.
Soft wood or deteriorating trim.
Peeling paint or repeated staining.
Gaps around windows and doors.
Damaged caulking where sealant is required.
Cracked mortar or blocked brick weep holes.
Water stains or signs of moisture inside the home.
Some issues are cosmetic. Others may indicate water getting behind the exterior covering.
Pay particular attention near windows, doors, roof intersections, and the bottom of exterior walls.
Repair or Replace?
Not every siding problem requires replacing an entire wall or house.
A few damaged vinyl panels, loose trim, or localized wood deterioration may be repairable.
More extensive replacement may make sense when damage is widespread, moisture has affected the underlying structure, or the existing material is near the end of its useful life.
Before replacing siding, determine whether the problem is with the siding itself or the wall assembly behind it.
What Should Michigan Buyers Know?
During a showing, look at the siding from several angles.
Pay attention to areas where different materials meet, especially around windows, doors, decks, and rooflines.
Ask about previous repairs, water intrusion, and replacement dates.
A general home inspection can identify visible concerns, but concealed damage may require additional evaluation.
For related information, read my Home Window Basics and Home Roofing Basics.
You can also visit my Home Buying Resources for more guidance on evaluating a property's condition.