Why Wood-Look Composite Siding Is a Smart Exterior Choice

The exterior of a building should make a good first impression and do more than just that. It should reflect the style of the architecture, be able to withstand varying weather and be easy to keep up. We, at New Era Wall Panels, know that the beauty of timbers is what many homeowners, builders and business owners want, but they may not want to deal with the maintenance of timbers.

To achieve a wood look with the benefits of a modern composite material, wood-look composite siding can be used as an effective solution. It allows to build an appealing façade without the hassles of a natural wood surface.

What Is Wood-Look Composite Siding?

Wood-look composite siding is an exterior cladding material that is intended to mimic the grain, color and character of natural timber. It can be produced with wood fibers and polymer materials, making boards with warm appearance and anti-common outdoor problem property.

This composite siding can be used to completely re-clad the exterior of a building, or to accent specific areas like entrances, garages, patios, garden rooms, storefronts and architectural feature walls.

Wood Beauty Without Constant Maintenance

A natural wood siding can be a stunning look, but can be a maintenance ordeal if it is not stained, sealed, painted, sanded and patched regularly. Moisture, sun, insects, and temperature fluctuations can also make timber fade, crack, warp and rot.

The composite siding with wood appearance eliminates many of these maintenance issues. Does not need to be regularly painted, stained or sealed. It is usually sufficient to clean up the surface once in a while and make it look clean and presentable.

This makes composite siding especially ideal for homeowners who would like to have a wood-like look on their home while also avoiding the constant upkeep and expense of wood.

Built for Exterior Conditions

The exterior siding is constantly subjected to rain, humidity, sun, insects and changing weather. Designed to resist moisture damage, insects, rot, cracking and warping better than untreated timber, composite cladding is engineered to resist all these.

But, the performance of the material is not just dependent on its quality. The proper spacing for framing, expansion, ventilation, flashing and appropriate fasteners still have to be used. By installing the siding as per the manufacturer's instructions and relevant building codes the siding will work as intended.

Flexible Design for Modern Buildings

The wood-look composite siding will fit in with many different residential and commercial styles. These colours – brown, dark brown, black, grey and light grey – lend a sense of warmth to the timber, and black, grey and light grey boards are ideal for more modern, clean designs.

Boards can be installed horizontally for a familiar siding appearance and/or vertically to emphasize height. Brick, stone, concrete, glass and metal are other good siding combinations with composite.

The design flexibility makes it possible to use the design for entire facades, store front, exterior renovations, patio walls, and for smaller decorative areas.

Clean Finish and Long-Term Value

Tongue and groove edges and hidden mounting hardware can be part of the modern composite siding systems. The features make it easier to align the boards and provides a clean surface free of see-through screws to break the design.

The up-front expense of composite siding is greater than some of the basic wood siding choices, however, buyers should take into account the total cost of ownership. Lowering the cost of paint, stain, sealant and repairs, and replacement of damaged boards could potentially be more beneficial in the long run.

The final selection will ultimately depend on the project budget, local climate, quality of installation and appearance wanted outside of the house.

Conclusion

Wood-look composite siding is a good exterior option too, since it has a great look, is durable, easy to maintain, and is flexible to design. It imparts the warm ambiance of wood, but addresses many of the practical issues at hand with natural wood.

Modern composite wall cladding panels available in an array of colors available at New Era Wall Panels for homes, businesses and feature walls outdoors. Check out our selection to see all the wood-look composite siding that can be found and matches your home, and helps you with your next project on the outside!

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Does composite siding look like real wood?

Yes. The use of textured surfaces, realistic wood grain and wood-inspired colors help to achieve the look of natural wood.

2. Does wood-look composite siding need painting?

Typically, there is no need to paint, stain or seal composite siding regularly.

3. Where can composite siding be installed?

Can be used on home facades, exterior, garages, patios, garden rooms, storefronts, commercial facades and feature walls.

4. Can composite siding be installed vertically?

Yes. As for installation, in most cases boards may be installed vertically or horizontally, contingent on the product and the installation method.

5. Is composite siding better than natural wood?

For those seeking low maintenance and moisture, rot, and insect resistance, composite siding may be a better choice to make. For those who enjoy the natural variation in wood and are willing to undertake regular maintenance, natural wood might be a good option.