Choosing new siding sounds pretty simple until you actually start looking at your options.
Suddenly, you’re comparing colors, styles, prices, warranties, maintenance requirements, durability, and products that can look nearly identical in a photo but aren’t necessarily the same.
So, what should you actually look for when comparing siding options?
At Barringer Brothers Roofing, we’ve served homeowners throughout Edwardsville, IL and the Metro East since 2004, earning 200+ five-star reviews. We install Royal siding and help homeowners choose exterior options that make sense for both the appearance of their home and everyday life after the project is finished.
Before choosing siding based solely on the color—or the lowest price—here are the things worth comparing.
1. Start With the Siding Material
One of the first things to understand is what type of siding you’re actually comparing.
Different siding materials can have very different costs, maintenance requirements, appearances, and performance characteristics.
For many homeowners, vinyl siding is an appealing option because it offers a combination of durability, relatively low maintenance, and a large selection of colors and styles.
If you’re comparing estimates, don’t assume two contractors quoting “new siding” are automatically offering equivalent products. Find out exactly what product and manufacturer each estimate includes.
2. Think About How Much Maintenance You Actually Want
This is something homeowners sometimes overlook because they’re focused on how the siding looks on installation day.
But you’re going to live with it afterward.
Ask yourself how much exterior maintenance you’re realistically willing to do.
Some siding materials require considerably more ongoing maintenance than others. Vinyl siding is popular partly because homeowners don’t have to routinely repaint it to maintain its original color.
That can be especially appealing if you’re replacing an exterior you’re tired of constantly maintaining.
3. Compare Durability, Not Just Appearance
Two siding products can look similar from the street while having different specifications.
Your siding is exposed to the elements every single day. In Southern Illinois, that can mean summer heat, thunderstorms, wind, heavy rain, freezing temperatures, and plenty of temperature changes throughout the year.
When comparing siding products, look beyond the sample board.
Ask about the product’s construction, thickness, wind performance, warranty, and other specifications that matter for your home.
A pretty color is important.
So is what you’re actually putting on the house.
4. Look at the Color Selection
Now we get to the fun part.
Your siding color can completely change the personality of your home.
You might want something classic and neutral, or you may prefer a darker, more dramatic exterior like the deep blue siding used on many newer homes.
But don’t choose the siding color by itself.
Look at how it works with the other permanent or semi-permanent parts of your exterior, including:
- Roof color
- Brick
- Stone
- Trim
- Windows
- Garage doors
- Gutters
- Front door
You don’t necessarily need everything to match. In fact, contrast can be what makes an exterior interesting.
The goal is for the different elements to look intentional together.
5. Don’t Judge Color From a Screen Alone
Just like roofing shingles, siding colors can look different depending on lighting and surroundings.
A color you found online may look lighter in direct sunlight, darker in shade, or slightly different next to your home’s brick or stone.
Your phone and computer screen can also affect how colors appear.
Online photos are great for inspiration, but physical samples and completed projects can give you a better idea of how a color looks in the real world.
6. Compare the Available Siding Styles
Color isn’t your only design decision.
Different siding profiles and styles can create very different looks, even when they’re the exact same color.
Traditional horizontal siding may work perfectly for one home, while another exterior may benefit from using a different style as an accent.
You can also use siding strategically to highlight architectural features such as gables.
That’s why it’s helpful to think about the entire exterior design, not just which color you want covering the largest wall.
7. Consider the Style of Your House
The siding you love on one home may not have the same effect on yours.
Architecture matters.
A siding style that looks great on a modern new construction home may create a completely different look on an older ranch or traditional two-story house.
That doesn’t mean there are strict rules you have to follow. It’s your house.
But when you’re comparing options, consider how the siding will work with the home’s existing architecture rather than evaluating the sample on its own.
8. Think About What You’re Keeping
If you’re replacing siding but leaving everything else alone, the existing exterior should influence your decision.
Maybe your roof is only five years old.
Maybe you have brick or stone that isn’t going anywhere.
Maybe all of your windows and trim are white.
Those features give you a starting point.
Choosing siding that works with the parts of your exterior you’re keeping can make the finished project feel much more cohesive.
If you’re building a new home, you have more freedom because you can coordinate the roof, siding, stone, brick, trim, and other exterior finishes from the beginning.
9. Compare Warranties
Warranty information probably isn’t as exciting as choosing between two colors, but it’s worth understanding before making your decision.
Different siding products can come with different manufacturer warranty terms.
Ask what warranty comes with the product you’re considering, what it covers, and whether there are any important conditions or limitations you should know about.
Don’t simply hear “it has a warranty” and stop there.
Find out what that actually means.
10. Compare the Entire Estimate
When you’re comparing siding contractors, make sure you’re comparing more than the final number.
One estimate may include a different product, different preparation work, or a different scope than another.
Look at what you’re actually getting.
If one estimate is substantially cheaper, ask why.
It may be a great deal—or you may discover that you’re comparing two different projects.
The goal isn’t necessarily to find the lowest number.
It’s to understand what that number includes.
11. Don’t Forget About Installation
You can spend weeks choosing the perfect siding and still overlook one of the biggest factors in the finished project:
Who installs it.
The siding itself matters, but so does the installation.
Your contractor has to properly prepare the exterior, work around windows and doors, handle corners and transitions, install the siding according to product requirements, and finish the details that make the exterior look complete.
Some of the most important decisions you make during a siding project have nothing to do with color.
12. Consider Long-Term Value, Not Just Upfront Cost
Price absolutely matters. Siding replacement is a significant home improvement project.
But the least expensive siding option isn’t automatically the best value for every homeowner.
Consider what you’re getting for the money:
How much maintenance will it require? How well does the product fit your needs? Do you actually like how it looks? What’s included in the warranty? Are you comfortable with the contractor installing it?
If you plan to live in the home for years, those things may matter more to you than saving a little money upfront.
So, How Do You Compare Siding Options?
Don’t try to pick a winner based on one feature.
A better comparison looks at the whole picture:
Product + durability + maintenance + appearance + warranty + cost + installation.
You may care more about certain factors than someone else, and that’s okay.
A homeowner who plans to stay in the same house for another 20 years may approach the decision differently than someone preparing to sell. Someone who never wants to think about painting their exterior again may prioritize maintenance differently than someone focused primarily on a particular look.
The best siding option is the one that makes sense for your home, your priorities, and your budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
Compare the siding material, durability, maintenance requirements, colors, styles, product specifications, warranty, cost, and installation. Don’t make the decision based solely on appearance or price.
Vinyl siding is a popular choice for Illinois homeowners because it offers a combination of durability, design options, and relatively low maintenance. The specific product and quality of installation are also important.
Barringer Brothers Roofing installs Royal siding for homeowners throughout Edwardsville and the surrounding Metro East.
Your roof should be part of the decision, especially if you aren’t replacing it at the same time. Consider the roof along with brick, stone, trim, windows, and other exterior features when comparing siding colors.
Thickness is one product specification worth comparing, but it shouldn’t be the only factor you consider. Look at the complete product specifications, warranty, performance characteristics, and installation requirements.
They don’t have to be. Contrasting trim is commonly used to define windows, doors, rooflines, and other architectural features. Whether you want subtle or dramatic contrast depends on the look you’re trying to create.
Not automatically. However, make sure you’re comparing equivalent products and scopes of work. A lower estimate may include different materials or work than another quote.
Yes. Even a quality siding product needs to be properly installed. Contractor experience and workmanship should be part of your decision along with the siding itself.
Comparing Siding for Your Edwardsville Home?
You don’t have to choose based on a tiny sample and hope for the best.
Barringer Brothers Roofing installs Royal siding throughout Edwardsville and the Metro East and can help you understand the options available for your home.
Want more information about siding options or have questions about a siding project?
Call Barringer Brothers Roofing at (618) 703-3036 or fill out our online contact form to learn more, discuss your options, or request a free estimate.
