Best Siding for New England – A Complete Guide

In the middle of a home exterior renovation? 

We understand, especially if you’re in New England, because New England homes endure some of the most dramatic climate fluctuations in the country. 

You get anything from sub-zero winters with snow and ice to humid summers and salt-laden coastal air.

If you’re building a new home or already planning an exterior renovation, you want to pick the best siding for New England conditions. It will affect your home’s durability and the maintenance requirements that come with it. Here’s more! 

What is the Best Siding for New England?

So, what’s the best siding for New England? For starters, the best siding to withstand New England conditions should be able to withstand year-round temperature swings. 

Along with that, it should have strong endurance against heavy precipitation, wind, and moisture – all while offering long-term durability and low maintenance.

With those conditions in mind, you get a few options: Fiber cement siding, engineered wood, and composite siding. They are some of the top choices, thankfully, due to their weather resistance and longevity. 

On the other hand, vinyl siding is also common but mainly because it’s affordable and easy to install.

What Makes Siding Important for New England Homes?

You already know this – New England’s four-season climate is beautiful. What it’s also is extremely punishing on exterior building materials, like sidings. You often see temperatures can drop below freezing in winter.

At the same time, during summer, you see temperature spikes. And in peak summer, you get everything from sleet to salty sea spray depending on where you live. So, what happens when you choose the wrong siding? Here’s a host of issues that await:

• Moisture intrusion and rot
• Cracking or warping from freeze-thaw cycles
• Fading and discoloration from UV exposure
• High maintenance and repair costs

That’s why you need to understand house siding options and how they respond to weather conditions. Furthermore, the siding material you choose should be able to handle moisture without swelling or warping, while providing insulation value.

For a home exterior that can withstand decades instead of just a few seasons, you want something highly durable. 

Plus, siding options for New England homes also need to support curb appeal and energy efficiency because they’re a long-term term investment. 

Here’s a categorized breakdown of the main siding options for homes in New England.

1. Fiber Cement Siding

Most homeowners consider fiber cement siding as one of the best all-around choices for New England homes (and for good reason). 

It’s an engineered product that constitutes cement, sand, and cellulose fibers. 

As a result, it has a dense, durable structure that resists rot, fire, pests, and extreme weather, to name a few issues.

And unlike wood, fiber cement doesn’t expand or contract significantly when the temperature swings. It also holds paint extremely well, requiring less frequent repainting.

What Makes It Stand Out?

• It’s highly weather resistant, which means it doesn’t crack, warp, or swell from moisture
• It can last up to 50 years with proper installation and care
• It requires minimal upkeep compared to natural materials
• It is fire-resistant and pest-proof

Among brands, James Hardie is the industry benchmark, especially with its Hardie Fiber Cement line. Their siding is engineered specifically for regional climates and is a top-tier choice for long-term performance in cold, wet regions.

However, fiber cement does have one drawback – its weight. It is heavier than vinyl or wood, which means it requires highly skilled installation. But once it’s up, homeowners rarely look back thanks to its weather-resistance and low-maintenance qualities.

2. Composite Siding

Last on our list, composite siding takes modern materials to the next level. It is a high-performance category of products that combine various synthetic or engineered elements. 

For instance, resins, cement, sand, and fiber. With this combination, it is easier to create boards that mimic the look of wood but perform far better under pressure.

One of the leading names in this category is again James Hardie, whose Hardie Fiber Cement siding falls into the composite class. 

It’s specifically engineered to endure high wind, snow, coastal salt spray, and rapid temperature changes – exactly what your New England climate demands.

What Sets It Apart

• It has an exceptional aesthetic impact
• It’s solid against the elements due to high weather resistance
• It also holds color and shape over decades
• It’s resistant to insects, mold, and moisture
• It is low-maintenance with excellent return on investment

While composite siding is often more expensive than vinyl or engineered wood, it’s also among the most durable and best-performing options for you. 

For example, are you near the coast or in areas with consistent exposure to wet weather or temperature extremes? Then, it’s a top-tier investment siding option.

You should also note that fiber cement and composite siding are frequently installed during complete home exterior renovations. 

So, if you’re trying to coordinate siding upgrades with your roofing project, you should know what roofing materials are best for your home.

3. Cedar & Other Wood Siding

Being frank, no material matches the organic warmth and character of real wood siding. Therefore, in New England, cedar siding is particularly popular for Colonial, Cape Cod, and farmhouse-style homes.

The natural oils make it naturally decay-resistant. Plus, you can easily stain or paint it to suit your design preferences. 

Furthermore, traditional wood siding can take the form of shingles, clapboard, or board-and-batten. 

That means you can have a timeless curb appeal that adds depth to your home’s exterior.

Advantages

• It has unmatched aesthetics, especially for historic or high-end homes
• It’s easy to repair individual boards or shingles
• It’s highly customizable with finishes, stains, and profiles

Drawbacks

• High maintenance – which means you’ll have to do regular sealing, painting, or staining to keep it from moisture damage
• It’s vulnerable to rot and pests without proper upkeep
• It can also warp or split over time in wet or freezing conditions

If you’re willing to commit to the care schedule, then cedar remains a premium siding material. 

But in areas exposed to coastal moisture or excessive freeze-thaw, it does eventually become costly over time. 

Moreover, wood siding is also less energy-efficient unless you add layers of additional insulation.

If you’re considering cedar but worry about ongoing maintenance, then check out engineered wood or composite materials.

4. Vinyl Siding

Next up, vinyl siding is one of the most commonly used siding materials in the Northeast. It offers a wide range of house siding options. 

But more importantly, it is easy to install and comes in dozens of colors and textures, some of which include designs that replicate traditional clapboard or cedar shakes.

Are you a budget conscious homeowner? Don’t worry, vinyl siding is perhaps the most cost-effective way you can refresh your home’s exterior without sacrificing too much in the way of performance. 

It is both energy efficient (i.e., if you install it right with insulated backers) and capable of reducing thermal bridging, especially in older homes. Here, a quick pros-cons to help you out:

Pros

• Affordable with lower labor and material costs
• Energy efficient versions available with insulation
• Available in many colors and designs
• Low maintenance (just occasional cleaning required)

Considerations

• Can become brittle in extreme cold, which means cracking during freeze-thaw cycles is possible over time
• Lower-end vinyl fades quicker than higher-end options – though modern advancements have made premium lines more UV-resistant and durable

If you want to replace aging aluminum or wood siding, vinyl can be a serious visual and functional upgrade, and at a lower cost! 

However, it’s best suited for you if you don’t mind some “trade-offs” in terms of lifespan or texture authenticity.

Plus, it also pairs well with roofing renovations. If you’re re-siding amid your roof update, you should consider metal roofs vs. asphalt shingles to help with the overall design strategy and performance.

How to Choose the Right Siding Based on Climate & Budget?

So, how long will your roof last with the best siding? Well, it depends on the quality of materials you choose, to begin with. 

More importantly, if the renovation is mainly for siding installation, you want to consider these four factors:

1. Climate Suitability

Are you in a coastal town like Mystic or Newport? Then, your siding must handle salt, wind, and humidity. But inland, your main concern might be freeze-thaw cycles and snow load.

• Fiber cement and composite siding perform best in extreme weather
• Vinyl and engineered wood are better for moderate areas
• Cedar siding is best if you want historic charm and can offer sheltered placement and maintenance

2. Budget

Your siding budget needs to account for both siding material and siding installation costs. Here’s a simplified guide:

In short, vinyl will give you the most immediate savings and perhaps a relatively good return on investment, on average. However, fiber cement and composite siding will offer you better value long-term.

3. Aesthetics & Style

When it’s traditional clapboard to modern board-and-batten, the siding you choose will define your home’s personality. 

You might want to consider engineered and composite options that come in a wide range of finishes. 

These options will make it easy to find something that suits your architecture – whether you’re restoring a colonial home or building a coastal cottage.

4. Energy Efficiency

At number four, you want to consider the energy efficiency value. You can go for insulated vinyl or composite panels to help you reduce energy loss. 

To improve the efficiency, you can also pair it with proper sheathing and weatherproofing.

However, for aging homes, we suggest siding that can accommodate modern insulation techniques during installation. 

And, if you think siding is going to solve only half the problem, you should talk to a professional about whether a roof replacement might help.

What About Curb Appeal & Value Addition (for Resale Value)?

With the right siding, you can transform the way your house looks (and its resale potential). 

In fact, siding is consistently one of the top-ranked exterior upgrades for return on investment (ROI), especially in high-demand markets like New England.

According to the 2020 Cost vs. Value study from Remodeling Magazine, homeowners nationwide can recoup an average of 78% to 75% siding costs (fiber-cement and vinyl, respectively) at resale.

But first, take a look at how different siding types can enhance curb appeal:

• Vinyl siding: This option offers clean lines and vibrant colors. Plus, it’s an affordable way to modernize older homes.
• Engineered wood: This will help you deliver the rich texture of real wood with deeper, more uniform finishes.
• Composite and fiber cement: These options offer sleek, crisp aesthetics with design versatility (perfect for upscale curb profiles).
• Cedar siding: This can help add character and tradition, suitable for buyers who want authenticity in historic properties.

If you’re selling within 5-10 years, most experts might recommend fiber cement or composite for a better return. But if you’re staying long-term, we recommend balancing curb appeal with longevity and upkeep.

FAQs

Conclusion

So, choosing the best house siding for New England is more than picking a color or style, right? You have to choose a material that can defend your home against the elements while still maintaining its beauty for years to come.

You can go for low-maintenance fiber cement or more affordable vinyl. If you’re learning more towards aesthetics and want high performance, go for engineered wood. 

If you’re looking to start a siding project on your home, reach out to a trusted siding contractor in CT can help you select and install the perfect siding for your home

Contact Us When You’re Ready, Schedule A Consultation