What are the most common types of house siding?

The most common are vinyl, engineered wood (like LP SmartSide), fiber cement (James Hardie), natural wood and cedar, metal or steel, stone veneer, stucco, and brick. Vinyl is the most widely used in the United States.

What is the best type of siding?

There's no single best type — it depends on your budget, climate, maintenance tolerance, and how long you'll stay. Vinyl wins on cost, fiber cement and brick on durability, engineered wood on value-for-look, and wood on authenticity.

What is the cheapest type of siding?

Vinyl is the cheapest mainstream siding at roughly $4 to $12 per square foot installed. Engineered wood and standard wood are mid-priced; stone veneer and brick are the most expensive.

What is the longest-lasting siding material?

Brick and stone veneer last the longest at 75 to 100 or more years, followed by metal at 40 to 60 years and fiber cement at 30 to 50 years.

Types of House Siding

Independent research · Last reviewed August 2026

The short answer

The main types of house siding are vinyl, engineered wood, fiber cement, wood, metal, stone veneer, stucco, and brick. They range from about $4 per square foot (vinyl) to $28 (brick) installed, and the right one depends on your budget, climate, and how much maintenance you'll accept — there is no single best.

The eight materials, at a glance

Each card below is a quick orientation; tap through for the full cost breakdown, honest pros and cons, and who each material is right for. Prefer a filterable table? Compare them side by side.

Vinyl

$4–$12/sq ft

The cheapest mainstream option and the only one that never needs repainting — but it can crack in hard cold and isn't fireproof.

20–40 yr lifeno repaintingvery low upkeep

Best for: Budget-focused homeowners in moderate climates who want zero repainting.

Wood / Cedar

$5–$15/sq ft

The real thing — unmatched natural warmth, but the highest maintenance here, needing refinishing every few years.

20–40 yr liferepaint ~4 yrhigh upkeep

Best for: Purists who want genuine wood and accept the refinishing commitment.

Fiber Cement

$6–$14/sq ft

The longest-lasting and only non-combustible mainstream option; heavier and pricier to install, and ColorPlus finishes defer repainting.

30–50 yr liferepaint ~12 yrmedium upkeep

Best for: Long-term homes and fire-prone areas that want maximum durability.

Metal / Steel

$7–$16/sq ft

Extremely durable and fire-safe with a modern look; can dent, and bare steel can rust where scratched, especially near salt air.

40–60 yr lifeno repaintinglow upkeep

Best for: Modern looks, wildfire zones, and owners who want 40+ years with little upkeep.

Stucco

$7–$12/sq ft

Long-lasting and seamless, ideal in hot, dry climates; prone to cracking with freeze-thaw and moisture where it isn't detailed well.

50–80 yr lifeno repaintinglow upkeep

Best for: Hot, dry climates wanting a seamless, long-lasting finish.

LP SmartSide

$8–$15.5/sq ft

Engineered wood — a real wood-grain look, lighter and easier to install than fiber cement, but it must be repainted.

20–30 yr liferepaint ~10 yrmedium upkeep

Best for: Owners who want a real wood look for less than fiber cement and will keep up with paint.

Brick

$9–$28/sq ft

The longest-lasting, most maintenance-free option; high upfront cost and skilled labor, usually a brick veneer over a framed wall.

75–100 yr lifeno repaintingvery low upkeep

Best for: Owners who want to cladding once and essentially never maintain it.

Stone Veneer

$13–$25/sq ft

A premium masonry look that lasts generations; most homeowners use it as an accent rather than whole-house cladding to control cost.

75–100 yr lifeno repaintingvery low upkeep

Best for: Accent walls and premium curb appeal where budget allows.

How to narrow it down

Four questions do most of the work:

Budget — vinyl and engineered wood for value; fiber cement, stone, and brick for premium.
Climate — non-combustible fiber cement, metal, or masonry in wildfire zones; avoid stucco in freeze-thaw; vinyl handles coastal salt well.
Maintenance — if you won't repaint, rule out wood and lean vinyl, metal, or brick.
How long you'll stay — a short hold rarely justifies a premium, long-life material.

Want that turned into a recommendation? The siding selector ranks all eight against your answers in under a minute.

Frequently asked questions

What are the most common types of house siding?: Vinyl, engineered wood, fiber cement, wood/cedar, metal, stone veneer, stucco, and brick — vinyl is the most common.
What is the best type of siding?: There isn't one — it depends on budget, climate, and upkeep. The selector finds the best fit for your home.
What is the cheapest type of siding?: Vinyl, at about $4–$12 per square foot installed.
What is the longest-lasting siding material?: Brick and stone veneer (75–100+ years), then metal and fiber cement.