Little else will define the overall look of your home as the siding you choose.

Replacing your house siding is a major renovation and requires a lot of careful planning and consideration.

While for most people the total cost of siding is a major concern, other factors important factors are also worth considering when researching different materials. These include: resistance to weather fluctuations, durability, longevity, maintenance requirements, and visual appeal.

Here is an overview of the most popular siding materials: vinyl, fiber cement, wood, aluminum, stucco, brick and natural stone, to help you get started.

Vinyl Siding

vinyl

Cost: on average, vinyl siding prices range from $4-5/sq.ft installed.

Fiber Cement Siding

Cost: expect to pay about $5-9/sq.ft. installed for Hardie. Other brands of fiber cement siding will cost about 20-25% less.

Aluminum Siding

aluminum

Cost: on average aluminum siding costs $3-5/sq.ft installed.

Wood Siding

Wood siding is a traditional looking material that is often found on older American houses and historic homes. It is the least maintenance-free option as it requires painting and caulking and is prone to insect damage and wood rot. An advantage to wood is the relatively inexpensive cost and maintenance costs can be lowered by staining the wood rather than painting.

Cost: on average, wood siding costs $5-9/sq.ft. installed

Brick Siding

Brick is a highly durable and classic material that has been used as siding for hundreds of years both in Europe and the US. It is considered a high-end siding, and is typically used on luxury modern homes, mansions and historic homes.

Brick siding can last well over 100 years. It is a highly durable and fire resistant material, making it one of the safest siding options available. It is also an eco-friendly building material as it is made from naturally replenishing resources, and can be recycled. Brick does not require maintenance and painting like other types of siding. It is also an energy efficient material, maintaining stable indoor temperatures, which means you will not need to spend extra on insulation, or increased heating and cooling costs.

Cost: on average, brick siding costs $10-15/sq.ft installed.

Stucco Siding

Another high-end material, stucco siding is traditionally found on homes that are Mediterranean or Spanish style, but contemporary houses also make use of this beautiful material. This is one of the oldest building materials, and has been around since the time of ancient Greeks and Romans.

Natural stucco is made of cement, water, sand and lime, but newer synthetic alternatives are now also available. These are more expensive than natural stucco, but are considered to be more durable and long lasting. Stucco can be tinted any color you want and may never need to be repainted, but it does require maintenance. Over time, it may develop cracks, which will need to be repaired.

Cost: expect to spend about $7.5-10/ sq.ft. installed on stucco siding.

Natural Stone Siding

Stone siding brings to mind European castles and mansions, but also New York cobblestone, which is less expensive and considered an art form by many. Today, stone is considered to be the most expensive and luxury material. Unlike many other siding products, stone can hold up to extreme weather conditions, and is considered to be the most durable material. When properly installed, stone siding can last for hundreds of years, requiring virtually no maintenance.

In recent years, man-made, stone veneer siding has been manufactured, but many products tend to look fake. However, because stone veneer is significantly cheaper than the real deal, it is a very attractive option to many homeowners.

Cost: on average, natural stone siding costs $12-16/sq.ft installed