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Guide to Building Siding
Photos, descriptions, & properties of all types of building exterior wall sidings
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InspectAPedia tolerates no conflicts of interest. We have no relationship with advertisers, products, or services discussed at this website.
This guide to types of building siding includes photos and descriptions of each type of building siding, including photos helpful in recognizing various types of residential building siding materials and building exterior cladding systems.What's the difference between hardboard siding, fiber cement siding, and asbestos cement siding? Is hardboard siding the same thing as fiber cement siding? Is steel siding better than aluminum siding? How long will vinyl siding last? We define these terms and explain the differences here. We include links to detailed information about the installation, inspection, troubleshooting & repair of each siding type and where pertinent, links to health, environmental, and siding or failure warranty claim information about various building siding materials.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Siding, Sheathing on Building Exteriors: Photo Guide
Aluminum Siding Identification Photos
At above left our photo illustrates buckled aluminum siding, a clue that there is hidden damage to the building sills and structure. At above right is 1960's vintage aluminum siding with surface coating loss.
See
Also see the additional photo and drawing guides to building architectural styles in the links listed at page top or at Related Topics see ARCHITECTURE & BUILDING COMPONENT ID for illustrations of building architectural types, roof shape, architectural features.
Also see AGE of a BUILDING - how to determine as well as individual building component links listed at Related Topics . Age and types of building windows and doors and related architectural features can be found at WINDOWS & DOORS, Age, Types.
Asbestos Cement Siding & Cement Board & Fiber Cement Siding Identification Photos
Exterior Siding & Roofing Using Asbestos Cement included asbestos cement shingles, asbestos cement siding, corrugated asbestos-cement roofing.
Modern Cement Board & Fiber Cement Products
Cement board is a non-structural building sheathing material which in its contemporary form is made from Portland cement covered with a reinforced fiberglass mesh fabric. Cement board is used as a tile backer or a backer board for stucco applications on buildings. Current producers include Custom Building Products (WonderBoard™) and US Gypsum (Durock™).
Panels made of a mixture of cement and wood fibers are produced for building siding by James Hardi (Hardi-panel and Cemplank™), and CertainTeed (Weatherboard™).
Details about modern fiber cement siding (not an asbestos product) are organized at
Also see
History & dates in process, contributions invited - CONTACT us |
Asphalt Shingle or Sheet Building Siding
For detailed description and information about asphalt siding and asphalt shingle siding used on buildings see these articles:
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Bark (tree bark) Used as Building Siding & Walls
- Tree bark used on some traditional native american structures is demonstrated in this structure located in Cooperstown, NY.
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Brick & Stone Veneer Building Exteriors
For detailed description and information about both structural brick walls and brick veneer walls (photo at left) used used on buildings see these articles:
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EIFS Synthetic Stucco System Building Exteriors
For detailed description and information about EIFS & synthetic stucco products used on buildings see these articles:
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Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is produced from a mixture of cementious bonding material and wood fibers. Do not confuse this product with hardboard siding (wood fibers bonded by resin adhesive and heat/pressure SIDING HARDBOARD) nor with ASBESTOS CEMENT SIDING
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What's the difference between hardboard siding and fiber cement siding?
We've seen that some, even among home inspectors, confuse hardboard siding, asbestos cement siding, and fiber cement siding.
- Asbestos cement siding and similarly asbestos cement roof shingles are a hard, cementious building material made from cement and asbestos fibers as well as asbestos filler. This is a durable, very fire-resistant material that has proven long-lived, though fragile and vulnerable to mechanical damage. Asbestos dust hazards can be significant especially during demolition or cutting or grinding the material with power tools. Details are at
- Fiber cement sidng and similar fiber cement roof products are a hard, cementious material that uses (usually) wood fibers to add strength and body - replacing more hazardous asbestos fibers. There are however health warnings issued by the manufacturers and others concerning silica dust that might be created by the same mechanical means as we described for asbestos. Fiber cement siding and roofing should have similar durability and fire resistance properties to asbestos-cement products. We've heard reports of "swelling" "rotting" etc. with fiber cement products but have not found hard evidence - possibly the reporters were confusing their materials.
- Hardboard siding was made from wood fibers and wood products using a combination of binding resins, heat, and pressure.
Hardboard Siding Identification Photos
Steel Building Siding
| Photos and steel siding specifications wanted (contact us)
See
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Vinyl Siding Identification Photos
For a detailed description of vinyl building siding, its properties, proper installation methods, and effects of vinyl building products on odors or health questions see these articles:
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Wood Siding Identification Photos: clapboards, board & batten, plywood, T111
For descriptiosn of all types of wood siding products on building exteriors see
We discuss plywood siding, T111 siding, wood shingle siding, board and batten siding and similar approaches to cladding the building exterior. |
List of building siding materials articles
Additional building exterior siding articles are listed here:
- SIDING, ASBESTOS FIBER CEMENT - Asbestos fiber & asbestos cement shingle siding: SIDING, ASBESTOS FIBER CEMENT, popularity declined with the rise in popularity of aluminum siding in the U.S. in the 1950's. See SIDING, ASBESTOS FIBER CEMENT identification, photos, replacement materials, safety recommendations, disposal issues
- SIDING, ALUMINUM - (photo of aluminum siding, 1960's, showing siding installed over peeling painted clapboard, siding backer board details). Aluminum & steel building siding - popular in the U.S. 1940's - 1970's. Because of the large amounts of energy used to produce aluminum siding and increasing raw materials costs, aluminum siding declined in popularity in the U.S. in the 1970's.
Aluminum siding, produced from aluminum coil stock and painted in a wide variety of colors, provided a durable exterior building cladding that resisted rust and rot. See SIDING, ALUMINUM for details.
Watch out: some versions of aluminum siding included a paint coating that weathered, chalked, and even washed off entirely, leaving a bare aluminum surface. With careful surface preparation and selection of a paint recommended by its manufacturer for aluminum siding, it is possible to re-paint weathered aluminum siding - of course we then have converted a "no maintenance" material into one that will require occasional repainting.
- SIDING ASPHALT SHINGLE or SHEET - Asphalt shingle siding and asphalt sheet siding (photo of asphalt siding, Coolidge Hotel, White River Junction, VT). Asphalt siding: materials similar to asphalt roof shingles, used as building siding, designed to resemble brick, wood, or other materials, popular from ca 1930 - 1955. See SIDING ASPHALT SHINGLE or SHEET
- Brick building exteriors: structural brick walls & brick veneers
- Composite wood siding - Masonite, Woodruf, and other brands - see hardboard siding
- SIDING HARDBOARD - Hardboard building siding: see SIDING HARDBOARD Boise Cascade, Georgia Pacific, Masonite, etc: siding failures, inspections, class actions
- SIDING EIFS & STUCCO building wall cladding installation defects, leaks, damage, class actions - links list; Photo of EIFS
- Log home construction: solid log construction vs. Slab Log Cabin Siding - discussed at Log Home Guide. Also see Antique & Old Log Cabins and Vertical Log Walls on Cabins & Homes.
- Paint Failure Diagnosis - extensive library of how-to articles on diagnosing and preventing paint problems on buildings and in art conservation
- Plaster/cement horsehair lath siding
- Sawn clapboard siding - see SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD and also see PAINT FAILURES
- SIDING STEEL - Steel building siding was sold based on advantages similar to aluminum siding (see Aluminum siding) but with disadvantages of heavier weight, more difficult to install (harder to cut and trim), and vulnerable to rust. Steel siding was never as popular in North America as aluminum nor its later replacement - vinyl. See SIDING STEEL
- Stucco siding on building exteriors: Horsehair mixed with plaster or cement for building exterior wall covering, also see SIDING EIFS STUCCO. and STUCCO OVER FOAM INSULATION - choices of insulation and support for stucco over foam insulation over masonry walls
- Synthetic stucco siding, EIFS wall cladding - see SIDING EIFS & STUCCO
- VAPOR BARRIERS - Vapor barriers: history of use of housewrap and vapor barriers; vapor barrier types: see VAPOR BARRIERS
- SIDING VINYL - Vinyl siding: see SIDING VINYL. PVC based vinyl siding was introduced in the U.S. in the 1950's and 60's, began to overtake aluminum siding for building exterior wall coverings in the 1970's and by the 1980's was the dominant exterior siding material on residential structures in the U.S. for both new construction and for remodeling. The cost of covering a building exterior with vinyl siding was competitive with a properly executed exterior paint job, and the result more durable. SIDING VINYL - Vinyl Siding, includes review & comments about moisture & vapor barriers. Vinyl siding is popular in part because it is lightweight and easy to work with, easy to cut, trim, and install.
Watch out: early vinyl siding suffered from weathering, cracking, impact damage, and buckling from heating. While modern vinyl siding products are very durable, impact and dent and weather resistant, the material will still buckle if it is not properly installed (nailed too tightly to the building).
Also see
- SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD - Wood shingle siding: see SIDING WOOD, FAILURES OVER FOAM BOARD and also see PAINT FAILURES
- At Field Guides to North American House Architecture we list (and you can buy at Amazon) books we have found particularly helpful in identifying architectural styles, including: as this more extensive list of architectural styles: Folk Houses, Native American Houses (U.S.), Pre-Railroad houses, National Architectural Styles (U.S.), Colonial Houses (1600-1820),
Post medieval English, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Georgian, Adam, Early Classical Revival, Romantic Houses (1820-1880),
Greek Revival style architecture, Gothic Revival style architecture, Italianate style architecture, Exotic Revivals style architecture, Octagon houses, Victorian style architecture Houses (1860-1900), Second Empire style architecture, Stick style architecture,
Queen Anne style architecture, Shingle style architecture, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, Folk Victorian style architecture, Eclectic Houses (1880-1940), Anglo-American style architecture, English style architecture, and French Period Houses,
Colonial Revival style architecture, Neoclassical style architecture, Tudor style architecture, Chateauesque style architecture, Beaux Arts style architecture, French Eclectic style architecture, Mediterranean Period Houses style architecture, Italian Renaissance style architecture,
Mission style architecture, Spanish Eclectic style architecture, Monterey style architecture, Pueblo Revival style architecture, Modern Houses including Prairie style architecture, Craftsman style architecture, Modernistic style architecture, International style architecture, and
American Houses Since 1940: Modern style architecture & Neoeclectic style architecture as well as unusual houses such as Mongolian Cloud (photo, Kuehn) houses and Underground Houses (photo, Roy).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about how to identify different types of siding on buildings
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
 Carson, Dunlop & Associates Ltd., 120 Carlton Street Suite 407, Toronto ON M5A 4K2. (416) 964-9415 1-800-268-7070 info@carsondunlop.com. The firm provides professional home inspection services & home inspection education & publications. Alan Carson is a past president of ASHI, the American Society of Home Inspectors. Thanks to Alan Carson and Bob Dunlop, for permission for InspectAPedia to use text excerpts from The Home Reference Book & illustrations from The Illustrated Home. Carson Dunlop Associates' provides:
- Commercial Building Inspection Courses - protocol ASTM Standard E 2018-08 for Property Condition Assessments
- Home Inspection Education Courses including home study & live classes at eleven colleges & universities.
- Home Inspection Education Home Study Courses - ASHI@Home Training 10-course program.
Special Offer: Carson Dunlop Associates offers InspectAPedia readers in the U.S.A. a 5% discount on these courses: Enter INSPECTAHITP in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference Book, a reference & inspection report product for building owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
- The Home Reference eBook, an electronic version for PCs, the iPad, iPhone, & Android smart phones.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter inspectaehrb in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Illustrated Home illustrates construction details and building components, a reference for owners & inspectors.
Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Illustrated Home purchased as a single order Enter INSPECTAILL in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
- The Horizon Software System manages business operations,scheduling, & inspection report writing using Carson Dunlop's knowledge base & color images. The Horizon system runs on always-available cloud-based software for office computers, laptops, tablets, iPad, Android, & other smartphones.
- Certainteed Weatherboard fiber cement siding and trim products - see certainteed.com/ or see certainteed.com/resources/sidingandtrimspecsheet.pdf
- Vassar College Architecture, Main Building, James Renwick, Jr., architect, William Harloe, builder, Second Empire style, http://vcencyclopedia.vassar.edu/buildings-grounds/buildings/main-building/
- Vassar College, Maryann Bruno, Elizabeth A. Daniels, Arcadia 2001 ISBN 0-7385-0454-8
- Vassar College, The Campus Guide, an Architectural Tour, Karen Van Lengen, Lisa Reilly, Princeton Architectural Press, 2004, ISBN 1-56898-349-2
- Main to Mudd, and More, Elizabeth A. Daniels Poughkeepsie, NY, 1996.
- Historical Sketch of Vassar College, Benson Lossing, New York, 1876.
- A Field Guide to American Houses, Virginia & Lee McAlester (1984) ISBN-10: 0394739698 ISBN-13: 978-0394739694 includes a pictorial key and glossary to these architectural styles: Folk Houses, Native American Houses (U.S.), Pre-Railroad houses, National Architectural Styles (U.S.), Colonial Houses (1600-1820),
Postmedieval English, Dutch Colonial, French Colonial, Spanish Colonial, Georgian, Adam, Early Classical Revival, Romantic Houses (1820-1880),
Greek Revival style architecture, Gothic Revival style architecture, Italianate style architecture, Exotic Revivals style architecture, Octagon houses, Victorian style architecture Houses (1860-1900), Second Empire style architecture, Stick style architecture,
Queen Anne style architecture, Shingle style architecture, Richardsonian Romanesque style architecture, Folk Victorian style architecture, Eclectic Houses (1880-1940), Anglo-American style architecture, English style architecture, and French Period Houses,
Colonial Revival style architecture, Neoclassical style architecture, Tudor style architecture, Chateauesque style architecture, Beaux Arts style architecture, French Eclectic style architecture, Mediterranean Period Houses style architecture, Italian Renaissance style architecture,
Mission style architecture, Spanish Eclectic style architecture, Monterey style architecture, Pueblo Revival style architecture, Modern Houses including Prairie style architecture, Craftsman style architecture, Modernistic style architecture, International style architecture, and
American Houses Since 1940: Modern style architecture & Neoeclectic style architecture
- The American House, Mary Mix Foley, Harper Colophon Books, ISBN-0-060090831-9, ISBN-10: 0060112964 ISBN-13: 978-0060112967 1980, has been a guide we have found useful for recognizing house architectural styles
- Dutch Houses in the Hudson Valley (NY) Before 1776 (New Paltz area for example), Dover Publications; Re Issue edition (1965) ASIN: B0006BNAD2
- A Manual of Historic Ornament, Richard Glazier, 4th ed., ASIN: B001MSZHUC (available used)
- Milton Architecture (MA) (Images of America) (Paperback), Anthony M. Sammarco (Author), Paul Buchanan (Author), Arcadia Publishing (December 2, 2000) ISBN-10: 0738504963 ISBN-13: 978-0738504964 discusses the history of the Suffolk Resolves house and other historic homes in the Milton Massachusetts area
- Mongolian Cloud Houses, How to Make a Yurt and Live Comfortably, Dan Frank Kuehn, Shelter Publications 2006 ISBN-10: 0936070390 ISBN-13: 978-0936070391
"Written for those interested in alternative lifestyles, outdoor living, camping, and do-it-yourself projects, this lively, informative book recounts the author's experiences building his first yurt. Dan Frank Kuehn carefully guides readers through every step of the creation of a 13' round by 10' tall model. He covers everything — from the poles and lattice that form the basic structure, to the plusses and minuses of various materials, to the distinctive willow smokehole. This updated edition highlights new building techniques and contains detailed lists of commercial yurt manufacturers, tools, and materials."
- Underground Houses, How to Build A Low-Cost Home, Robert L. Roy, Sterling; illustrated edition edition (December 31, 1994), ISBN-10: 0806907282 ISBN-13: 978-0806907284
"According to Roy, underground or `earth-sheltered' houses are unexpectedly livable. Judging by his book's attractive pictures, that's easy to believe. The house he bases his point-by-point guide on is indeed a showplace. Its homey touches are just that, though, and Roy's main concern is creating such a house, from drawing up the plans to surveying the site to the actual building. Roy's instruction is insightful and comprehensive....Throughout, he covers construction and installation details that are extremely important for nonprofessionals brave enough to undertake building their own homes."
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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