It's so obvious when a house in your neighborhood needs new siding Shingles are missing. Clapboards are buckling. Perhaps the paint is flaking off and creating little dunes of paint chips on the ground.

But when it's your house? It's easy to see when you need new siding, but it's much harder to decide what replacement product you should choose.

Traditional wood siding and new composite choices all have their benefits and drawbacks. Check out the benefits of each to make the right decision for your home:

Wood Siding

  • The Pros: Wooden clapboards and shakes are traditional siding materials that have been used for hundreds of years, so they're widely available and look especially good on historic homes. Cedar siding is naturally weather- and insect-resistant, so it's a good choice for the environment, too, as no additional chemical treatments are required during installation.
  • The Cons: Natural cedar siding is more expensive than other types of wood. Unfortunately, lesser species of wood require regular maintenance to keep paint intact, and all wood can be pitted and damaged by harsh weather conditions. Wood is biodegradable, which means that eventually it will be subject to water damage and rot.

Composite Siding

  • The Pros: According to Green Builder, synthetic siding is fire-resistant and can be integrated with highly effective insulation and moisture barriers for superior home protection. Composites have also come a long way from the plain white vinyl siding of the past. They can mimic wood and feature a rainbow of colors that were previously unavailable.
  • The Cons: Synthetic materials can release fine dust particles into the air during installation, which can irritate the lungs. These products also aren't biodegradable, which means that any scraps leftover from your project will take up space in a landfill. Some composite systems require specially trained contractors to be installed correctly.

Choosing the right siding is a big deal, especially when your home needs to stand up to the harsh winds and weather of a Minnesota winter. In northern climates, siding maintenance should be a major factor in your decision: Investing in a product that will stand up to local conditions will make you happier in the long run.

When you need an expert opinion about the best replacement siding for your home, contact Anderson Exteriors. You'll get a free quote and advice tailored for your Minnesota home.