The Complete Guide To Vertical House On Siding
Are you looking for a fresh way to update your home’s exterior? Vertical siding might be just what you need.
Many homeowners stick with traditional horizontal siding, not knowing that changing the direction can completely change a house’s appearance.
Vertical siding runs up and down rather than side to side, creating an impression of height and uniqueness that stands out in any neighborhood.
This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about vertical siding – from the basics and materials to popular styles, creative uses, installation tips, and maintenance advice.
We’ll also compare it with horizontal options to help you make the best choice for your home.
Let’s look at how vertical siding can transform your house.
What Is Vertical Siding?
Vertical siding is a wall covering technique where panels run vertically on a house’s exterior, creating a distinct visual effect that makes homes appear taller.
Unlike horizontal siding, it draws the eye upward, enhancing perceived height.
Common materials include wood, vinyl, fiber cement, and metal.
Though horizontal siding has dominated American homes for centuries, vertical siding stems from historic styles like board-and-batten barns.
Different Types Of Vertical Siding
1. Wood Vertical Siding: Wood vertical siding delivers a warm aesthetic with unique grain patterns. Made from cedar, pine, or cypress, it offers various colors and weather resistance.
While requiring more maintenance, it develops a distinctive weathered look over time.
2. Vinyl Vertical Siding: Vinyl vertical siding offers great value for budget-conscious homeowners. It needs little maintenance, resists pests and moisture, and is available in various colors and textures.
Modern vinyl can replicate wood’s appearance without the upkeep.
3. Fiber Cement Vertical Siding: Fiber cement siding offers durable, stylish options.
Constructed from cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, it resists fire, termites, and rot, enduring harsh weather. It can mimic wood, stucco, or stone.
4. Metal Vertical Siding: Metal vertical siding offers a modern, durable aesthetic. Made from aluminum or steel, it withstands weather and needs minimal maintenance.
It can be smooth for a sleek appearance or textured for extra visual appeal.
Popular Design Styles For Vertical Siding
1. Board and Batten: Board and batten use wide boards and narrow strips to cover seams, creating shadows and textures on your home’s exterior.
This style adds depth, making it ideal for farmhouses, cottages, and modern homes.
2. Shiplap: Shiplap consists of panels othat verlap at their edges, producing subtle shadows on vertical surfaces. This structured look suits casual and formal settings.
Once common in coastal homes, shiplap is now favored in various styles for its distinctive appeal.
3. Lap Siding: Vertical lap siding features overlapping boards, creating a textured, layered effect.
This method adds visual weight to walls while preserving the height-enhancing quality of vertical orientation and ensuring excellent weather protection.
4. Contemporary/Minimalist Styles: Contemporary vertical siding has smooth, flat panels with minimal seams for a clean surface. This sleek design complements modern architecture with straight lines.
Often paired with large windows and simple trim, it emphasizes the home’s structure.
7 Creative Ideas For Vertical Siding
Try these unique approaches to vertical siding that break from the ordinary while creating truly personalized exteriors.
1. Contrast with Natural Elements
Combining vertical siding with natural stone bases, wood accents, or thoughtful landscaping creates striking visual contrasts.
The straight lines of the siding play off the organic shapes of stone or plants, highlighting both elements.
This combination works particularly well in settings where connecting to the natural environment is important.
2. Monochromatic Appearance
Using a single color or shade for your vertical siding creates a clean, cohesive look that emphasizes the home’s form rather than its surface details.
This approach works exceptionally well on contemporary homes with strong architectural lines.
A monochromatic scheme can also make smaller homes appear larger and more unified.
3. Mixed Materials
Blending vertical siding with other materials like horizontal panels, brick, or glass creates visual interest and defines different areas of your home.
For instance, you might use vertical siding on upper stories and brick below, or create feature walls with vertical siding while using different materials elsewhere.
This technique allows for customization and unique expressions.
4. Rustic Appeal
Using weathered wood or textured finishes adds warmth and character while maintaining a fresh look.
This approach brings together old-world charm with current design sensibilities.
The vertical orientation keeps the rustic materials from feeling too traditional, creating an updated take on classic styles.
5. Accent Walls
Installing vertical siding on select walls creates focal points without overwhelming the home’s design. This technique is particularly effective on entryways, chimney walls, or dormers.
The contrast between the accent wall and surrounding materials draws attention to architectural features you want to highlight.
6. Bold Color Choices
Experimenting with vivid hues on vertical siding can transform a simple home into a neighborhood standout.
The vertical lines provide a perfect canvas for bold colors, as they help distribute the visual weight of intense shades.
This approach works especially well for smaller homes and modern designs that benefit from a touch of personality.
7. Vertical Siding With Large Windows
Pairing vertical siding with generous windows creates a compelling rhythm of solid and void across your home’s exterior.
The vertical lines naturally lead the eye to and around the windows, while the glass breaks up what might otherwise be too much of a single material.
This combination also maximizes natural light inside while maintaining visual interest outside.
Installation Of Vertical Siding
Getting vertical siding installed correctly is key to both its looks and longevity. Here’s what you need to know before starting this project.
Preparation
Before installing vertical siding, ensure your home’s exterior is ready. The walls must be straight and level, with a moisture barrier. Fix any damage and ensure the surface is clean and dry.
Proper preparation helps avoid costly problems and extends the siding’s lifespan.
Tools Needed
For vertical siding installation, you’ll need basic carpentry tools including a circular saw, level, chalk line, tape measure, hammer or nail gun, and appropriate fasteners. You’ll also need safety equipment like gloves, goggles, and a dust mask.
For some materials like fiber cement, specialized cutting tools may be required to handle the material safely.
DIY Vs. Professional Installation
| Installation Method | Benefits | Challenges | Considerations |
|---|---|---|---|
| DIY Installation | It saves money and allows for personal involvement. | Requires significant time, skill, and effort. | Consider comfort level with large construction projects. |
| Professional Installation | Bring experience, work faster, identifies issues early. | Higher upfront cost, but more efficient. | It is ideal for those looking for expertise and faster completion. |
Cost Of Installation
Depending on materials, home size, and location, vertical siding installation costs vary widely. Wood siding typically costs more to install due to the cutting and fitting required.
Vinyl tends to be less expensive, while fiber cement falls in the middle. Labor usually accounts for 30-40% of total costs.
Additional factors like removing old siding or addressing structural issues can increase the final price.
Vertical Siding Vs. Horizontal Siding: Which Is Better For Your Home?
Making the right siding choice affects both your home’s appearance and performance.
Let’s compare these two popular options to help you decide which direction works best for your needs.
1. Visual Impact And Home Style
Vertical siding enhances height perception, making homes look taller and distinctive.
Its vertical lines draw the eye upward, benefiting ranch-style and smaller homes.
In contrast, horizontal siding emphasizes width, giving homes a longer, grounded appearance. Traditional homes often use horizontal siding, while vertical patterns suit modern, farmhouse, or unique designs.
2. Weather Performance
Vertical siding directs rainfall efficiently, reducing moisture infiltration risks, making it ideal for heavy rain areas.
Horizontal siding can trap water on the upper edges if improperly installed, causing potential moisture issues.
Yet, quality installation with proper overlapping can alleviate these concerns for horizontal siding.
3. Installation Complexity And Cost
Horizontal siding needs less labor and material waste, making it usually cheaper.
Its installation is simpler and more familiar to contractors.
Conversely, vertical siding often requires extra framing and more cuts, especially around windows and doors, leading to higher labor costs and longer installation times.
Conclusion
Vertical siding is a stylish alternative to traditional horizontal exteriors, enhancing homes of all sizes.
This guide covers materials like wood and metal, design styles such as board and batten, and creative uses for uniqueness.
Choosing between vertical and horizontal siding depends on your home’s architecture, preferences, and local climate.
Vertical siding can revitalize your home with its rain-shedding properties, height-enhancing effect, and distinctive appearance.
Considering a change? Think about vertical siding for your next project.
