Vinyl Shake Siding Vs. Clapboard

Vinyl Shake Siding

• Vinyl shake siding is molded to look like cedar wood siding. The molds give the siding surface shapes and textures that offer homes a rustic look. The edges have an uneven, rough-hewn look and can be curved or semi-straight. The primary advantage of vinyl shake siding is that it is less expensive than cedar wood siding and easier to care for. And since vinyl is a synthetic material, you won’t have to worry as much about termite and insect damage. Vinyl shake siding comes in a wide variety of colors and vinyl panel sizes and can last anywhere from 20 to 30 years.

Clapboard Siding

• Clapboard siding is made from natural woods, such as cedar and pine. The panels are typically installed horizontally, and the bottom edge of a panel slightly overlaps the top of the panel below it. Clapboard siding panels are either rough-hewn on both sides or have a smooth backside. Panels range from 4 to 8 inches in height and can be painted or stained to the homeowner’s preference.

Similarities

• Vinyl shake siding and clapboard siding are alternatives to brick, stone and stucco for cladding the exterior surface of a home. Both styles give a home a rustic look, whereas brick, stone and stucco create a more classic exterior appearance. Vinyl and clapboard do not require mortar for installation. Both are attached to homes with nails. In comparison to brick, stone and stucco, siding provides homeowners options and choices in terms of the size of panels and the home's exterior color. By using siding, homeowners can change the look of their home by changing the paint or stain color over the years.

Differences

• Homeowners who want to replicate the classic look of cedar, without the expense and maintenance of using real wood, often opt for vinyl shake siding. The shake-shaped surface adds character to the exterior surface of a home --- but at a fraction of the cost. For example, prices for cedar shakes can range anywhere from $6 to $9 per square foot while vinyl shakes cost from $4 to $7 per square foot. Homeowners who want real wood often go with clapboard. Clapboard prices vary, based on the type of wood that is used. Prices for red cedar, for example, that measures 6 inches deep by ½-inch in thickness, run around $1.75 per square foot as of 2011.