4 Most Durable Siding Materials

Posted by Northface Construction - Owner & Founder

We’re all sick of having to replace our perfectly good siding after one bad hail
storm rolls through.

Fortunately, there are a number of durable siding options out there for those
looking to give their home that extra bit of protection.

So check out this video for a hands-on durability test, or give the rest of this
post a read. Either way, we’re here to help you find the most durable siding for
your home.

Top 4 Most Durable Siding Options

1. Engineered Wood Siding (pre-finished)

Engineered wood is a great alternative to real wood siding. It’s more flexible,
lighter, and moisture resistant, but keeps that natural wood look. The engineered
wood siding had the best turn out in our impact resistance test. We could barely
find the mark left behind!

If you like the look of traditional wood siding but are looking for something that
has higher durability and longer life, engineered wood siding is for you. Another
added benefit is its installation process. If this is one of your top options, you
can read more about the benefits of engineered wood siding here.

2. Steel Siding

Steel is a highly durable siding that can withstand more damage than other
materials. In our test, it did fair better than both the vinyl and fiber cement,
but there was still a decent-sized concave dent in it, with some slight paint
chipping.

While the steel siding did dent, there is a big difference between an eyesore and
actual compromise on your home’s siding. Though it came in second, steel siding is
still a very durable option for your siding. If you are seriously considering can
read all about steel siding, you can read all about it here.

3. Fiber Cement (pre-finished)

Fiber cement is another affordable siding choice. It’s low maintenance, fire and
termite resistant, and is very versatile aesthetically. The fiber cement faired
much better than the vinyl, but still left a sizable dent in the siding. About half
the bb’s width fit in the dent, but there was no breakage or cracking.

While it wasn’t the most impact-resistant, it is warp and rot-resistant. If

durability is something you value but don’t want to break the bank, fiber cement is
a solid choice. You can read all about the benefits of fiber cement siding here.

4. Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding is typically a much more affordable option than other sidings like
brick or wood. Its need for little maintenance makes it a great cost-effective
choice as well. When it came to facing a 50 caliber bb though, not your best bet.
The vinyl siding was tested first, and the bb tore a hole right through. A gaping,
irreparable hole was left behind. Ouch!

Just because the vinyl siding failed the bb test doesn’t mean it is a bad option
for your siding. Its affordability and versatility make it an excellent option for
many homeowners, especially if you live in an area that rarely sees large storms.
For reading on the benefits of vinyl siding, check this article out!

So Which Is The Most Durable Siding?

Based on how the sidings faired during this experiment, Josh ranked the sidings in
the following order:

1. Engineered Wood Siding

2. Steel Siding
3. Fiber Cement siding
4. Vinyl Siding

Don’t miss the BONUS CONTENT at the end of the video. More Impact Resistance – Bow
& Arrow Edition

Arrow: 4

Siding: 0

Frequently Asked Questions

What types of siding did you test in this experiment?
In this experiment, we tested engineered wood, steel, fiber cement, and vinyl
siding. We threw a number of tests at each of them, including shooting a 50 caliber
bb at them. As we tested each siding type, we found each had unique strengths and
weaknesses.

Which type of siding did you find to be the most durable?

Our experiment found the engineered wood siding to be the most durable, even over
the steel siding. While the steel siding is much harder, it is more prone to
denting. The engineered wood has increased shock resistance which really pays off
when big storms roll through.

How important is durability when choosing siding for my home?

Durability is far from the only important factor to consider when choosing siding
for your home. Your budget, preferred style, location, and personal preference also
matter. If you live in an area prone to severe thunderstorms we would recommend
choosing a more durable option.