Types of Siding

Clapboard siding was originally made by Native Americans with the timber from the land on which they built their dwellings. This tradition continued for centuries until modern industry, economics and home building techniques took over. Clapboard siding was also used in certain parts of Europe where wood-framed construction was more dominant.

Dutch lap siding was popularized in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States during the early settler days, although its origin dates back to Northern European areas where wood construction was most popular. Dutch lap siding provides strong shadow lines and is a popular alternative to the standard clapboard façade. Similar to clapboard siding, Dutch lap siding has multiple courses with typical reveals of three to five inches.

Vertical siding has been used on many different architectural styles dating back to the medieval times. Stemming from traditions in the Midwest, mountain regions and the West cost, vertical siding has gained popularity throughout the United States and Canada. Vertical panels can be used as accents, but are also used in whole house applications. This type of vinyl siding differs from Board and Batten because it does not include a narrow panel in between the wider panels.

Board and batten vertical siding was traditionally created by alternating wide and narrow panels, separating it from other vertical siding profiles that do not feature the narrow panel. Today's types of vinyl siding accurately reproduce the increasingly popular board & batten profile, which can be used as accents, but are also used in whole house applications.

Early craftsmen in the Northwest and Eastern seaboards of the United States hand split cedar shakes to protect their dwellings from harsh environments. Today's shakes are used to achieve a natural look. These can be used for whole house applications or as an accent on gables and other sections of the façade. Vinyl shake profiles are typically manufactured as a single or double course with reveals of six to ten inches, and are offered in straight edge or staggered courses.

Beaded siding was developed to provide even more dramatic shadow lines by adding a rounded bead at the bottom of a single clapboard siding course. This attractive variation of traditional clapboard siding oriented in the Southern United States and was commonly used on buildings that pre-date 1800. Beaded vinyl siding precisely replicates the handcrafted bead that was originally produced in wood. Insulated beaded vinyl siding is available with a 6.5" reveal (listed under clapboard).

Log structures have been built for thousands of years as homes, barns and outbuildings, constructed by stacking tree trunks on top of each other and overlapping at the corners. Cabin Board siding recreates the rustic look of traditional log cabin homes, without the maintenance that traditional log cabin homes require.

Shingle siding gained popularity in the late 19th Century, mainly in the Northeastern United States. These types of vinyl siding are now widely used in areas where certain architectural styles - such as Cape Cod, Queen Anne and Craftsman- are dominant. Shingle siding can be used in whole house applications or as an accent, mostly on gables and dormers. These profiles are typically manufactured as a single reveal of five to seven inches. Halfback® Flat Foam Insulation can be used behind shingles and scallops to make them insulated.