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Choosing the best type of siding to install on your house is a big decision, and it’s often a difficult one. There are many different options to choose from, and it’s important to consider them all. When choosing your home’s exterior siding, you should prioritize durability, aesthetic value, cost and required maintenance. Each type of siding has its own set of pros and cons in these areas.

Vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices in the United States. It’s a form of plastic siding that is often seen on smaller homes or apartment buildings that need weatherproof protection (especially in areas that get lots of precipitation and storms). It can come in a variety of colors, making it an aesthetically pleasing exterior choice.

Vinyl is a relatively low-cost siding option. For a typical single-family home of about 2,000 square feet, it costs between $6,150 and $15,900 to install.

Because it’s made from polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, vinyl siding is essentially fire-resistant. PVC will not ignite unless it reaches an extremely high temperature, about 750 degrees Fahrenheit. PVC also needs a uniquely high amount of oxygen to continue burning. That means it’s harder for fires to initially ignite and even harder to continue burning.

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Wood is one of the oldest exterior siding options available. It’s very versatile as it can be stained or painted to look exactly how you want it to. Plus, it comes in multiple different arrangements, like shingles and vertical boards, to help homeowners achieve any desired look. Depending on the arrangement, the cost of wood siding can range from $7,000 to $23,000.

While wood siding tends to look impressive, it is a risk for house fires. Wood is a combustible material, meaning it can go up in flames when exposed to high heat. Wood siding can ignite, causing flames to spread up the wall and into the home. Wood siding also requires continuous maintenance and repainting as time goes on. Painting professionals recommend a fresh coat every three to four years. When wood siding is regularly maintained, it can last for 20 to 40 years before needing a full replacement.

TIP: Wood is a combustible material, meaning it is quick to go up in flames if exposed to high heat. One option homeowners have to combat this is to add a flame retardant chemical to the siding, which is an added cost.

Many homeowners think of metal only as a roofing material, but metal is gaining popularity as an exterior siding material as well. It’s strong, relatively easy to install and can come in a variety of types, like aluminum and steel. After metal siding is installed, it requires virtually no maintenance.

Metal siding is durable and stands up well to harsh weather conditions like snow and extreme temperatures. Unlike wood siding, metal siding does not have the tendency to warp, rot or be susceptible to pests. The downside is that metal is a poor insulator and is not soundproof. If you live in an area with an extreme climate and if you are sensitive to outside noises, metal may not be the best siding choice.

Durable and solid, fiber cement siding is an excellent exterior siding option for those who are looking for something that will last at least 30 years. Fiber cement siding is especially good for homeowners who live in an intense climate, because it can stand up to harsh weather, including hail and strong winds.

Fiber cement siding is made out of a mixture of wood pulp and cement. It maintains the durability of cement but offers flexibility in aesthetics. Fiber cement siding can be made to look like a variety of other siding materials, like wood. The biggest barrier of fiber cement siding is the fact that it’s expensive to install. That’s because the installation process requires a significant amount of manpower, and therefore, labor time. You will likely have to pay for a professional to install fiber cement siding, so be prepared for a hit to your wallet.

Brick is a classic and timeless exterior siding material, and it’s been a standard in the building industry for years largely because of its durability. Brick siding doesn’t need to be regularly repainted, unlike wood or vinyl siding that tends to fade in the sun. Brick is a very low-maintenance exterior siding option that will last at least 100 years on average.

Brick also tends to increase your home’s value as compared to other exterior siding types, so it can be a good choice if you’d like to turn a home into an investment property. A report by Acme Brick shows that brick homes increase in value by about $4,000 over a home with wood or fiber-cement siding.

While brick siding beats other siding materials in terms of appearance, longevity and strength, it does come with a drawback: Its cost. Brick is one of the most expensive options on the market. For a 2,000 square foot home, brick siding costs between $8,900 and $25,000.

It also requires additional materials, like a waterproof membrane, to make sure it’s effective. But besides these additional materials, brick is an all-natural and very eco-friendly choice. Since bricks originate from natural materials, its carbon footprint is relatively small. Plus, bricks are recyclable and biodegradable.

There are plenty of other materials used for siding to consider. These include:

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Not only is siding an effective tool for beautifying a home, but it’s also an important safety feature and an investment into your home’s value. Its durability and cost differ depending on the material used, so it’s important to keep each material’s pros and cons in mind when choosing siding for your home. Contact your local siding expert to determine which option is best for your budget and locale.

Lauren is an accomplished freelance writer who covers a variety of topics, including home improvement, sustainability and more. Her background in news reporting allows her to look at topics from all angles and break things down into digestible content that’s useful to every reader. When she isn’t writing, you’ll find Lauren thinking up her next DIY project or exploring the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her pup.

Samantha is an editor who covers all topics home-related including home improvement and repair. She edited home repair and design content at websites like The Spruce and HomeAdvisor. She also has hosted videos on DIY home tips and solutions and launched multiple home improvement review boards staffed with licensed pros.