Home Siding Considerations

When you are checking out homes, there are several items in our market you need to be aware of - including siding.  In the Lowcountry, vinyl, wood, brick, and cement board are the most common types of siding.   There are advantages and disadvantages to all of them.  Stucco is not as common probably because it's not a "southern" look but also because of the moisture we have here that can cause significant issues if it's installed improperly.

Vinyl

Vinyl has had many improvements in the past decade and now comes in many colors as well as looks.  Wider boards imitate the wood look.  Shake shingles and other more decorative options are also available.  It's a relatively low-maintenance option over the long term and can look good for years.

Wood

Wood is found on some older homes and has a very distinct look of an older, historical home. Because of the maintenance that's required, you won't see it on a lot of new homes.  With the moisture in the Lowcountry, it needs to be painted regularly to avoid wood rot over time.  Left unmaintained, you'll have a high repair cost in the future.

Brick

Brick is common here in Summerville both in older homes and newer homes.  It's very durable and a great option for low maintenance over time but a higher upfront cost to install.

Cement Board

Cement board like Hardiplank has become a popular choice in the Lowcountry and for good reason.  You can achieve many looks and styles from batten board to shake shingle to the wide board, as you can with wood, but without the wood rot issues.  It does require to be painted every 7 to 10 years but will look great for years to come.

Regardless of what type of siding you have, there are some standard maintenance requirements. Be prepared to pressure wash your home every year to keep it in top shape and looking its best.  You'll want to take care of whatever type of siding you have because siding replacement can cost thousands to tens of thousands of dollars.

When the time is right, ask us about a good home inspector and the benefits of making your offer contingent upon YOUR approval of a home/siding inspection where necessary.