Pros & Cons of Wood Siding for Your Garage
If you’re getting ready to plan a custom garage, one of the most important decisions you’ll need to make is the type siding you want to install on the exterior. Exterior siding isn’t just for aesthetics; It serves to protect the structure of your new garage from environmental damage, so you’ll need to choose carefully.
To help you make an informed decision based on your design goals, maintenance capabilities, and outdoor climate, the expert garage builders at Sussel Garages outline the pros and cons of wood siding below.
Wood Siding Benefits
Wood has long been a popular siding material among Twin Cities garage owners due to its classic visual appeal, design versatility, and affordability.
What makes wood stand out as a siding choice for you?
Design Freedom
Wood siding can be painted in a wide variety of colors and accepts almost any finish. It’s also available in a variety of styles, including clapboard, tongue-and-groove, shake (wood shingles), vertical, board-and-batten, and several others.
Affordability
Though wood siding isn’t the cheapest siding option on the market, it’s more affordable than other siding materials, such as cement board or stucco.
Environmentally Friendly
If you’re concerned about the environment, wood siding is a great choice. Not only does it require less energy to produce than other types of siding, but it’s also 100% recyclable.
Add to Home Value
Wood siding is considered high-end siding, so if you decide to sell, your wood siding will give your home value a boost.
Durable
Wood siding can last for decades with proper maintenance.
Many Species of Wood
There are many species of wood to choose from for your home, each with its own unique look. Some include: Pine, Spruce, Fir, Cedar, Redwood, and Cypress.
Wood Siding Drawbacks
Though wood is one of the most popular siding materials on the market, it doesn’t come without its share of drawbacks.
Which potential issues matter most to you when weighing wood as a siding option for your custom garage?
Maintenance
Of all the siding materials on the market, wood probably requires the most maintenance. Because it’s more susceptible to water damage, wood can experience warping, splitting, and rotting over time.
It also requires repainting or restaining at regular intervals to maintain its aesthetic appeal. Wood siding must also be cleaned once a year to remove buildup of dirt and mildew.
Flammability
Though certain types of wood siding boast Class A fire ratings, in general, wood siding is not as fire resistant as other siding materials.
Insects
Everyone knows termites can’t resist a nice slab of wood. If you’re worried about pest infestations, wood siding may not be the best choice. Keep in mind, though, that routine siding maintenance and annual inspection can keep pests at bay.
Water Damage
Because wood siding is more prone to water damage than other siding materials, it’s more likely to allow water to seep into the walls of your garage. Splitting and cracking wood siding can lead to serious structural damage if you fail to promptly address the problem.
Low-Maintenance Alternative to Wood Siding
If you love the look of wood siding but don’t love the price and maintenance, another option for you is thermally modified wood. During the manufacturing process, heat and water are used to make natural wood more durable. The heating process lowers the wood’s ability to absorb moisture and reduces the risk of pests.
Thermally modified wood can be glued, painted, and finished like any other untreated wood, and is also lightweight.
A drawback of thermally modified wood is that it needs to be finished, otherwise it will have a gray appearance due to the sun’s UV rays. This means that you’ll have to regularly maintain your wood’s stain or paint to keep it looking great.
Other Garage Siding Alternatives
Of course, there are other non-wood garage siding alternatives. Each one has advantages and disadvantages, but may be more cost effective than wood.
Vinyl
Vinyl siding has been popular for a long time, and now it comes in even more colors and styles than in the past. It’s a viable option for any garage project.
Fiber Cement
Fiber Cement looks like wood siding, but without the hassle. It’s very durable and will last for decades, and you won’t have to worry about weather. It comes in many stains and colors.
Steel Log
If you love the log cabin look, you can go with steel log siding. The siding looks like logs, but is actually made of steel. It’s strong enough to withstand the worst Minnesota winters.
Stucco
Stucco is a very clean and durable option for siding. It also adds an additional layer of insulation to maintain your home’s temperature. It’s a great choice if you plan on using your garage as living space.
Metal
Aluminum is an affordable choice for siding. It’s very durable and also fire and weather proof. It also resists pests. Steel siding is also an option for durability.
Brick
Brick is a traditional siding choice, and it never goes out of style.
Concrete
Concrete is practical and affordable and helps insulate your garage. It has a modern and timeless appeal on a tight budget.
Not sure if wood is the right siding option for your new garage? At Sussel Garages, our experienced siding contractors can help you determine the best siding materials to suit your needs and design goals. Don’t hesitate to contact us with your questions!
Contact Sussel Garages to Get Started With Your Custom Garage Plan
At Sussel Garages, we’ve been proudly serving Twin Cities homeowners since 1915, and our commitment to excellent customer service, quality workmanship, and innovation has long set us apart in the industry.
With over 50,000 satisfied customers, we know what it takes to build a high-quality, lasting garage. When you’re ready to start planning your custom garage, our team is here to help you bring your vision to life!
To learn more or request your free estimate, give us a call today at 651-645-0331 (St. Paul) or 612-379-0949 (Minneapolis).