A Brief Guide on Siding Profiles

Having trouble choosing a siding profile for your home improvement project? If you are looking for inspiration, read on as describe important characteristics of the basic siding profiles on the market.

Clapboard Siding

This is a common vinyl siding profile. It looks similar to traditional wood siding and features straight faces and crisp edges. The architectural style of the clapboard siding makes it a good addition to homes in rural areas or forest settings, such as Cape Cod, Georgian and Queen Anne homes. Native Americans originally developed this style when they shaped timber from the land.

Dutch Lap Siding

A popular alternative to clapboard, the Dutch lap profile features strong shadow lines created by the curve at the top of each course. It is often used in Craftsman and French Colonial homes. This profile originated in northern Europe and became popular in the U.S. during the Colonial Era as settlers came to the mid-Atlantic region.

Vertical Siding

Vertical siding has become increasingly popular in the United States in recent years. This profile alternates wide and narrow panels, the wide section being the “board” and the narrow section being the “batten.” A general contractor may use the vertical siding profile in whole-house applications.

This profile dates back to medieval times and is often seen in the design traditions of the Midwest, mountain regions and the West Coast of the U.S.

Shake Siding

Shakes have a natural look, providing the same rugged beauty of hand-cut cedar shakes, but without the maintenance hassles. Shake siding usually features two types of edges: staggered, with the varying lengths creating a rustic look, or straight, with all shakes being one length to achieve a crisp appearance. This siding profile is a distinguishing feature in Craftsman and Federal/Adam houses. It originated in the northwest and east coasts of the United States.

V. Nanfito Roofing & Siding, Inc. is a leading exterior remodeling contractor in Connecticut. We provide high-quality products backed by precise installation methods, from siding replacement to gutters and roof maintenance. Call us at (203) 639-1634 or fill out our contact form to set up an appointment.