When faced with a new siding installation project for your home, you may be asked which kind of placement you want: vertical or horizontal. While horizontal is certainly the more popular choice, vertical also has its upsides. The one you choose will depend on personal preference, the style of the home and the material you choose. We recommend asking a trusted siding contractor for advice, as they have seen it all!
Appearance
Your decision is simple: if you like traditional styles and don’t want to get too crazy, go with horizontal. If you’re going for a more unconventional look that will turn heads, go with vertical. That’s because vertical panels tend to elongate your home, making it stand out from the rest.
That being said, this look isn’t for everybody. Horizontal panels look better on traditional home styles, such as Colonials. You have more freedom of expression on more modern homes, as well as farmhouses and Craftsman homes. Vertical siding also adds height to small homes, such as Cape Cods.
Installation
The installation process is easier and more straightforward with horizontal siding, simply because it’s the most common choice and installers have more experience with it. Vertical siding involves more steps in the installation process. If you have chosen a board and batten siding expect the process to be even more complex and involved.
Cost
Due to the extra work involved with vertical siding, the cost can be higher for this option than horizontal, as you may be paying more for specialty labor and time. This is why it’s important to get quotes from contractors before hiring anyone. Make sure you know what goes into the cost, and if the contractor even performs vertical siding placement at all.
Your cost will also depend on the material you have chosen. Some materials, such as steel, are heavier and more difficult to install, while vinyl and wood are less so.
Durability
Both horizontal and vertical siding panels are equally durable, but exactly how durable and long lasting they are will depend on the chosen materials. Fiber cement and metal, for example, are the most durable and last the longest.
One drawback to horizontal siding is the higher chance that rainwater will leak underneath the laps. If you have wooden siding, those panels can get saturated with water and warp over time, leading to damage as well as mold and mildew growth. Vertical siding panels don’t have this risk, as any rainwater that hits the panels will immediately drop to the ground.
Maintenance
Regular maintenance is key for both types. If the chosen material is vinyl, both can be pressure washed, but horizontal panels have a higher risk of water leakage during such cleaning projects and thus require more care. Cleaning vertical siding panels is easier because the risk of leakage is low.
Contact Allstar Construction for Siding in Fargo
Still not sure which placement to go with? We can help. The team at Allstar Construction has experience installing a variety of siding materials, such as vinyl, LP SmartSide, and cedar, in either horizontal or vertical placements. Ask us what we recommend for your property when you contact us at (701) 315-8150.
