Siding Ideas to Maximize Small House Exteriors
Creative solutions for exterior siding are needed for small houses. The right siding can transform a tiny home, adding curb appeal, weather resistance, and style. From materials to color schemes, many factors impact your siding decision for a small house exterior. Read on for tips to maximize your exterior and take your small home's curb appeal to the next level.
Key Considerations When Selecting Siding
Choosing the optimal siding involves assessing your small home's unique needs and top priorities. Key considerations include:
Budget
Set realistic budget expectations. While cedar shakes offer unmatched beauty, lower cost vinyl or LP SmartSide siding may better suit small home projects. Get contractor quotes to determine reasonable material and labor costs.
Design Style
Let your home's architecture and aesthetic guide siding choices. For contemporary tiny homes, metal panels or clean fiber cement lines work well. Traditional cottages shine with shake siding. Be sure the style aligns with your vision.
Durability and Longevity
Lifespan plays a major role, as replacement is difficult on small homes. Opt for materials engineered to last decades, like James Hardie fiber cement boards with 30-year warranties.
Weather Resistance
Consider climate and assess materials' wind, water, fire, and pest resistance. Select options designed to withstand regional weathering and endure seasons.
Maintenance Requirements
Low-maintenance siding is ideal for tiny homes. Weigh cleaning needs, susceptibility to damage, and repair costs before deciding. Materials like vinyl and SmartSide require minimal upkeep.
Weight and Installation
Lighter panels place less stress on small homes. Factor in whether DIY installation is possible or professionals are needed. Choose user-friendly products.
Popular Siding Materials for Small Houses
With key considerations in mind, explore the most common tiny home siding options:
LP(r) SmartSide(r) Trim and Siding
As a top choice for durability and longevity, SmartSide's treated engineered wood stands up to moisture, fungus and pests. The 5/50 year limited warranty provides peace of mind. Textured panels mimic wood grain while resisting warping, denting and cracking. SmartSide offers designer friendly colors to suit homestyles.
Fiber Cement
Fiber cement siding replicates the look of painted wood siding while outperforming it in durability and longevity. Thicker than vinyl and engineered for climate extremes, it adds curb appeal. Brands like James Hardie are popular yet require special saws and blades to cut.
Vinyl
Lightweight and affordable, vinyl siding comes in clapboard, dutch lap, vertical board and batten, and other profiles. Insulation properties improve energy efficiency. Look for premium vinyl with durable PVC resins and thicker panel gauges between .40 and .55 for lasting quality.
Cedar Shake and Shingle
Natural cedar siding offers unrivaled aesthetic appeal on small homes. Featuring rich color variations, wood grain beauty and natural insulation, cedar needs periodic staining and sealing for preservation against weathering. High cost often limits full-coverage use.
Metal
Aluminum, galvanized steel and copper offer sleek, contemporary profiles from corrugated to flat panels. Lightweight metal installation is DIY friendly, but watch for denting. High energy efficiency balances out higher costs.
Mixing Siding Materials and Profiles
Blending siding materials and alignments adds visual punch to small homes. Create contrast and highlights with:
- Main siding accentuated with decorative trim boards
- Combination of lap siding, shakes, vertical boards, and decorative panels
- Horizontal siding paired with vertical board and batten
- Smooth lap siding with rough cedar shake accents
- Siding matched with brick, stone, stucco, or metal wall accents
Mixing materials breaks up flat facades with texture and depth. Highlight architectural focal points like entryways, gables, and bay windows with an accent siding border or decorative shake shingles.
Vary Orientation and Profiles
Beyond materials, altering alignment and siding profiles adds interest. Horizontal siding evokes traditional cottage charm. Vertical board and batten or wide tongue-and-groove planks provide a more contemporary vibe. Diagonal applications attract the eye.
Profiles like dutch lap siding, scalloped shakes, vertical board and batten, and wide V-groove panels introduce shadow lines and visual texture against lap siding. Break up flat expanses by transitioning between styles.
Employ Accent Strips
For affordable impact, use slim accent strips over existing siding to create the illusion of layered boards. Color-contrasting strips not only provide depth but also draw attention to design details like roof gables, doors and windows. Their slim form works well on small facades.
Using Color to Enhance Curb Appeal
Strategic color schemes instantly upgrade small homes, with dark hues adding a sense of grandeur. Consider these aesthetic approaches:
- Monochromatic siding in lighter hues to maximize the look of small spaces
- Vibrant, saturated colors for creating a bold presence
- Complimentary color pairings for striking contrast
- Colorblocking in graphic, geometric panel patterns
- Gradating siding colors from light to dark for an ombre effect
For a pulled-together look, coordinate siding with trims, roofs, shutters, and landscape elements. White window frames pop against navy blue siding. Evergreen shrubs and trees enhance forest green hues.
Balancing Dark and Light Hues
Dark siding elicits a cozy, intimate feeling, while light colors enlarge small spaces. Blend light and dark for balanced contrast. Try lighter siding on main volumes balanced with darker accent shake shingles or trim colors. White corner and window trim helps ground deep siding hues.
Colorblocking
For contemporary flair, block siding into graphic color patterns. Use tape when painting to create geometric colorblocking on a budget. Vertical colorbands, contrasting gables, and asymmetrical color layouts add modern personality.
Budget Friendly Ideas for Small Homes
While replacing all of a tiny house's siding carries a substantial cost, minor upgrades offer budget friendly improvements. Smart strategies include:
New Siding on Front Facade Only
For curb appeal impact, limit new siding to the street-facing front and corners only. Then paint, clean or add accent strips to visible sides and rear to match. Stagger the new siding on wrapped corners to transition.
Accent Strips and Trim
Strategic trim and strip accents transform a facade at a fraction of the cost. Refresh window and door trim or add attention-grabbing horizontal strips around the base or tops of walls.
DIY Installation
Vinyl, metal and other lightweight panels enable DIY installation for major savings. Follow manufacturer instructions for proper techniques.
Buy Discounted Materials
Check for clean-out sales of siding overstock, discontinued colors and minor defect markdowns from big box home stores. Flexibility yields savings.
Replace only damaged boards as needed, then thoroughly clean and pressure wash existing siding. Apply fresh paint or protective sealant to restore appeal.