What Type of Siding is Best for a Florida Home?

Florida house siding has to be tough, resilient, and aesthetically pleasing to keep up with both the weather threats of the region and the cutting-edge style expectations of the Florida housing market. While almost any type of siding can be modified to look crisp and modern at the start, maintenance, deterioration, and moisture damage can take a more severe toll on some types of siding over others.

Because siding is outdoors, climate will always play a role in determining how fit a particular material is for the task. Florida house siding may experience unique challenges that aren’t a concern in other states with milder weather patterns.

Being situated so close to the ocean, humidity is a constant factor in Florida weather. The bulk of the Sunshine State is classified as a humid subtropical climate. Rainfall can be excessive, with an impressive record of over 30 inches of precipitation recorded in parts of many northern areas of Florida.

Heat and sun exposure add another threat to Florida house siding in the form of panel warping, cracking, swelling, and/or color fading. Add in the high wind gusts prominent during hurricane season, and it’s easy to see why Florida house siding needs to be incredibly durable!

As any professional contractor knows, excessive moisture can lead to all sorts of siding damage, like rotting, mold growth, and stains. With that said, some siding materials are more susceptible to moisture damage than others. The same goes for sun damage and deterioration due to high temps – some siding materials are simply better equipped to withstand these conditions and maintain their original integrity and appearance.

Below we compare four of the most popular house siding materials – wood, vinyl, stucco, hardie board and fiber cement – to see how they handle Florida.

Wood Siding

Wood siding is the traditional choice throughout most of the U.S. However, it’s not a reliable pick for hot and humid climates like Florida and the rest of the Gulf Coast. The advantages of wood siding are that it’s easy to work with and it delivers a classic charm that feels nostalgic and cozy. Many traditional siding styles, like lap, were first developed using wood.

When it comes to moisture resistance and durability, however, wood tends to fail. Natural wood can absorb moisture, leading to soft or rotten panels. Wood siding is also known to attract pests and rodents looking for a place to call home. Wood siding can be attractive, but it requires an intense amount of upkeep, including painting and caulking, that is only multiplied in a hot and humid climate like Florida.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is a very popular choice for homeowners throughout the country. Vinyl is considered to be fairly affordable and easier to maintain than wood. Vinyl also comes in a wide range of colors and styles, offering plenty of design potential. It’s also easy to work with, thanks to its incredibly lightweight build.

With all those perks, the downside with vinyl in Florida is that it can be somewhat flimsy. When storms kick up throughout hurricane season, strong wind gusts are common, so you don’t want any siding that can be torn off the side of the house easily. Unfortunately, some types of vinyl siding don’t offer the durability and strength needed for Florida homes. Talk with your preferred contractor about the different types of vinyl siding.

Stucco

Stucco is a beautiful exterior choice that fits in well with the coastal aesthetic and relaxed sophistication that’s very popular in Florida architecture. Stucco is usually featured in neutral tones, like beige and off-white, making it a cool choice for Florida exteriors. Stylistically, stucco is a great pick for the gulf coast. It’s also less flammable than wood and vinyl, making it a safer choice in terms of fire safety.

The biggest challenge homeowners can anticipate with stucco is the maintenance required to keep it in tip-top shape. Though it’s beautiful, stucco is a porous material, which means that moisture can find its way in and cause damage – especially in humid climates like Florida. Mold growth is another concern, as the surface of stucco offers the perfect breeding ground when it stays damp. The key to combating moisture damage is to choose a high-quality paint finish – preferably with a matte finish – and stay up-to-date on resurfacing the stucco.

Hardie Board or Hardie Plank Siding

Hardie-Plank, also known as Hardie Board, siding is more similar to stucco than most people would guess! Although the planks look like wooden sections, Hardie-plank siding is made of a cement mixture, much like stucco. The cement is mixed with wood fibers in order to make the siding look like wood, but with the resilience of a cement-based siding. Not only is this type of siding waterproof and soundproof, but it is also quite fireproof. Due to the dense material that these siding planks are made of, the installation will not be as cheap or as easy to carry out as vinyl siding.

Nonetheless, its durability and wood-like appearance can increase the value of any home for years to come. Since this type of siding does not rot, painting only needs to be redone every 7 to 10 years. However, you can expect hardie board to need cleaning about twice per year.

Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement offers the enhanced moisture resistance and long-lasting durability that house siding needs to protect the home for the long haul. Thanks to its unique composition, fiber cement delivers elevated strength and integrity – something that comes in handy during turbulent weather. Plus, there are plenty of styles available with fiber cement, allowing Florida homeowners to get the precise design they’re dreaming of. From classic lap to cozy, coastal-style shake – and even stucco-style panels – fiber cement provides plenty of choices that will keep up with the competitive trends seen in Florida.

Alternatively, it may come with higher labor costs than other types of siding. The cost to install this siding is up to 3 times higher in some communities when compared to vinyl or wood options. This is because it is quite heavy and since you are installing cement boards with fiber inclusions, there are specialized cutting tools required to create the seamless look.

Are you in the process of designing or remodeling a home in Florida? La Pera’s General Contracting in Panama City and Tampa, Florida has a team of professional and licensed contractors experienced in every area of construction, from remodeling to new construction! We are equipped to help you make the right decision for your home and for your budget. We strive to give our clients options, as well as sound advice based on solutions that work. If you have questions about your construction project, call La Pera’s General Contracting today! We will provide you with a detailed inspection and estimate by a professional contractor.