New house siding is a great opportunity to upgrade your home’s curb appeal with an all-new look. If you don’t already have a vision in mind, then deciding on a design can be challenging. Siding style, texture, and color all impact your home’s impression. New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. helps homeowners plan the perfect renovation with our guide to siding texture options and considerations.

Key Takeaways

• Different siding styles complement many types of homes. Smooth is modern, woodgrain is stately and traditional, and shake is heavily textured and rustic.
• Siding texture also affects maintenance. Heavy texture holds onto dirt, but disguises soiling, stains, and fade patterns.
• Look for siding with mold- or fade-resistant technology if you are worried that stains or fading may ruin your home’s look.
• Homes don’t have to use a single siding texture. You can mix and match textures on different parts of your house to draw attention and add visual interest.

How Siding Texture Changes the Look of a Home

The first consideration when choosing replacement siding is appearance. Each texture brings a different look and feel that fits a different type of building. Study your home’s architectural style and think about what texture is most appropriate. Here are our recommendations:

• Smooth: Smooth siding delivers a clean, sleek appearance that fits perfectly on contemporary exteriors. It may also be used to modernize older construction.
• Woodgrain: Woodgrain texture adds depth, dimension, and the classic elegance of wood. It’s ideal for traditional, transitional, and Colonial homes.
• Shake: Shake siding is heavily textured, even more so than woodgrain. The deep grooves add rustic appeal that is ideal for farmhouses and Cape Cod-style construction.

If you aren’t sure, then look at similar homes in your area. Checking out other homeowners’ siding choices can help you decide which style-texture matchups look good and which seem out of place.

Maintenance and Practical Considerations

While curb appeal is your first consideration when choosing a siding texture, it isn’t everything. Siding type also affects your maintenance requirements. Heavily textured siding collects dirt more quickly and may require more frequent cleaning. At the same time, the texture may disguise stains and fading. Smooth siding, meanwhile, resists dirt but can make fade patterns obvious.

Fortunately, both vinyl and composite siding are easy to maintain in comparison to wood and other high-effort materials. They may also come with mold- or fade-resistant coatings. If your heart is set on a specific texture or style, then look for product features that improve longevity and reduce the time you spend every year on maintenance.

Mixing and Matching

Finally, homes don’t need to have a single siding texture. Mixing and matching styles can be a great way to add visual depth while drawing attention to your home’s most striking architectural features. Here are some methods of mixing siding styles for the best effect:

• Use contrasting textures to highlight gables and peaks
• Frame your front door with a standout style
• Add dimension to a second-story bump-out
• Break up large areas with a panel of something different

When mixing siding textures, be careful not to overdesign. Two textures are sufficient for most homes, or three for large and complex construction. Your color choice also influences the final look. Use the same color across the home to let textures speak for themselves. Alternatively, choose colors in the same palette to ensure a coordinated look.

Learn More About Siding Texture Options in NJ

Whether you already have a design dream or are still exploring your options, you can get started at New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. We supply and install exterior siding for homes across the state of New Jersey. With a wide selection to choose from, we can help you find the best siding style to suit your home. Contact us to learn more about the siding texture options and brands we have available.

FAQs About Home Siding Texture

How does siding texture change the look of a home?

Siding texture changes the look of a home by adding depth, dimension, and visual weight. Choosing the right texture is important to creating a cohesive look that makes sense for your architectural style.

What siding texture looks best with contemporary homes?

Smooth texture delivers a sleek, modern look that is perfect for contemporary homes. Woodgrain can also elevate your look while drawing attention to key architectural features.

What siding texture looks best with traditional homes?

Woodgrain texture adds a subtle and stately style that looks great on traditional and Colonial homes.

What siding texture looks best with farmhouses?

Shake siding has a rustic texture that looks great on farmhouses. If you want to modernize your look, consider woodgrain or smooth siding.

How do you mix siding textures without overdesigning?

Use two or three contrasting siding textures to draw attention to focal points such as gables, bump-outs, and entryways. Keep colors complementary to avoid too much contrast. You can also get all siding styles in the same color to let the texture create definition on its own.