This is part 2 of 3 in the series "Siding Curb Appeal--Selecting a Siding Product That Looks Good Now and Later".
Read Part 1: What Do The Seams Look Like?
Does it Actually Look Like Wood?
This question is more important for some people than it is for others. Unfortunately over the years the bar has been lowered by the siding industry and homeowners have accepted it. Homeowners have settled for the idea that if they want a low maintenance house it will come at the expense of aesthetics and curb appeal. The goal of the siding industry has always been to create a low maintenance siding product, but low maintenance typically comes at the expense of beauty. That isn't the case anymore. For the past 30 years fiber cement siding has paved the way with realistic wood-like clapboards that have lower maintenance properties than wood. Unfortunately the fiber cement industry is complacent with their product and has failed to continually make improvements. But the door was opened for other companies such as Owens Corning and Norandex Building Products to develop a new low-maintenance yet beautiful and realistic looking siding product, that doesn’t require painting like fiber cement.
Tip: If you like the appearance of real wood consider a thicker product with a realistic embossed wood grain texture such as Everlast, or stick with real wood and endure the tedious and expensive upkeep .
Author: Peter Martino
