Vinyl Siding Styles

Vinyl siding styles and vinyl siding types are often used together. But there is a difference. Siding Styles usually refer to the look of the siding. Horizontal, vertical, cedar shake, or log style.

Vinyl siding types generally refer to what the home siding is made of. Wood, vinyl, fiber cement, concrete and so on.

It is ok to use them together when you are shopping or talking to contractors or Home Depot salespeople, everyone knows what you are talking about.

Basic Vinyl Siding Styles

Here are the basic vinyl siding styles most commonly used. Each style comes in many colors and textures.

Basic vinyl siding styles

Here are the basic home siding styles that you can find in any large home center like Home Depot or Lowes. 

Before you call anyone for a quote, you should go out into the neighborhood and look at the homes that you like best. What type or style of siding do they have? Take a few pictures so you can review at home and choose the one you like best for your house.

Use a notebook to keep your thoughts in.

Always take pictures of any siding style that you like for reference later. We suggest that you get a notebook and start keeping notes on each style and type of siding so you can review it later. 

Clapboard Vinyl Siding

Clapboard vinyl siding sometimes called horizontal or Ship Lap siding

Clapboard vinyl siding is sometimes called 'lap siding' which is short for 'shiplap' siding. It is called this because it looks like the sides of old wooden sailing ships.

Within these major styles of siding there are many different sub-sets of each group.

Clapboard siding has several different variations, 

Each style comes in different textures from smooth to rough cut. Each comes in several different widths, thicknesses, and insulated or non-insulated. And of course, prices.

Basic Clapboard Styles or Profiles

Dutch Lap Vinyl Siding

Dutch Lap vinyl siding has been around since colonial times. When early colonial settlers wanted something different rather than the traditional clapboard siding, they carved a notch in the top of the siding planks which created a shadow line.

Dutch Lap Vinyl Siding with shadow line on top of each plank.

Back when carpenters actually hand sawed the fresh cut wooden planks from the log, they then hand cut the top notch on each plank.  This increased the price of Dutch Lap, and it became the symbol of wealthier homes. 

Dutch Lap Siding. Note the shadow line on top edge of each plank.
Dutch Lap Vinyl Siding. A Classic look

Board and Batten Vinyl Siding

Board and Batten Siding runs vertically up and down the house

Board and Batten vinyl siding is one of the most popular vinyl siding styles around. It has been used for literally hundreds of years in America and Europe.

It is sometimes called 'Barn Siding' because farmers used to build their barns in this style.

Farmers used Board and Batten for their barns.
Board and batten is one of the more popular home sidings.

Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding

Cedar shake vinyl siding looks just like real cedar wooden shakes. But without the prohibitive maintenance and upkeep of real wood sidings.

Cedar Shake Vinyl Siding looks just like real wooden cedar shakes
Cedar Shake vinyl siding in straight line.
Cedar Vinyl Shakes in staggered profile
Vinyl Cedar Shake siding, the warm look of nature. Always a winner.

For more info on vinyl cedar shake siding  Click Here Vinyl Cedar Shake Siding

To see more info on the different Profiles of Clapboard Siding, Click Here

Half Rounds Great for accent.
Half Rounds used with Cedar Shake great look