Choosing new siding is about more than picking a color you like. The right siding should complement your home’s architecture, work with your roof and other exterior features, fit your maintenance preferences, and stand up to the weather your home experiences.
For homeowners in St. Charles County and the Greater St. Louis area, siding also needs to make sense for Missouri’s changing seasons. Summer heat, humidity, heavy rain, winter freezes, and severe storms can all put stress on a home’s exterior.
So, how do you choose siding for your home?
Start by looking at the bigger picture: your home’s style, the siding material, the profile and texture, the color palette, and how the finished exterior will perform over time.
1. Start With Your Home's Architectural Style
Before looking at siding samples, take a close look at your home’s existing design.
The siding should enhance the architecture rather than compete with it. A traditional home may look best with a classic horizontal profile, while a modern farmhouse may benefit from a combination of horizontal and vertical siding.
Consider these common combinations:
- Ranch homes: Horizontal lap siding can reinforce the home’s clean, low-profile design.
- Craftsman homes: Lap siding combined with shingle or vertical accents can add architectural character.
- Colonial-style homes: Traditional horizontal siding and contrasting trim can create a balanced appearance.
- Cape Cod-style homes: Shingle-style siding can complement the home’s traditional character.
- Modern farmhouse homes: A combination of horizontal siding and board-and-batten-style vertical siding can create visual contrast.
- Contemporary homes: Clean lines, larger panels, and restrained color combinations can produce a modern exterior.
You don’t necessarily need to match every existing feature. The goal is to create a coordinated exterior where the siding, roof, trim, windows, doors, and other details work together.
2. Choose the Right Siding Material
Once you understand the look you want, consider what you expect from the siding itself.
Different siding materials have different characteristics when it comes to maintenance, appearance, durability, installation, and long-term performance.
When comparing siding options, ask:
- How much maintenance will it require?
- How does it handle moisture?
- How well does it stand up to changing temperatures?
- What styles and textures are available?
- How does the material complement my home’s architecture?
- What type of warranty is available?
- Does it require professional installation?
For homeowners looking for a durable exterior with a wide range of design options, James Hardie siding is one option worth considering.
James Hardie siding is available in multiple profiles, textures, and colors, making it possible to create anything from a traditional exterior to a modern farmhouse-inspired design.
3. Compare Siding Profiles and Textures
The material is only part of the decision. The profile you select can dramatically change how your home looks.
Horizontal Lap Siding
Horizontal siding is one of the most recognizable siding styles. Its horizontal lines can give a home a traditional and familiar appearance.
It works particularly well with ranch, Colonial, Craftsman, and other traditional home designs.
Vertical Siding
Vertical siding changes the visual direction of the exterior and can make certain sections of a home stand out.
It is often used as an accent or paired with horizontal siding. This combination can work particularly well for modern farmhouse and contemporary designs.
Shingle-Style Siding
Shingle siding provides a more textured appearance and can add character to areas such as gables and architectural accents.
It can be especially appropriate for cottage, Cape Cod, and Craftsman-inspired homes.
Panel Siding
Panel siding creates broader visual sections and can produce a clean, streamlined appearance.
Panels can also be combined with trim to create a board-and-batten look, giving homeowners another way to add architectural detail without completely changing the home's design.
4. Choose a Siding Color That Works With Your Roof
One of the most common siding mistakes is choosing the siding color independently of the rest of the house.
Your roof is one of the largest visual elements of your exterior, so the siding should coordinate with it.
Before choosing a final siding color, look at your:
- Roof shingles
- Brick or stone
- Window frames
- Exterior doors
- Trim
- Gutters and downspouts
- Garage door
- Landscaping
For example, a roof with strong color variation may pair better with a siding color that is relatively restrained. On the other hand, a neutral roof can give you more flexibility with the siding color.
Should Your Siding Be Light or Dark?
There is no universal answer.
Lighter siding colors can create a bright, traditional appearance and may make a smaller home feel more open.
Darker siding colors can create a bold, modern appearance and provide strong contrast against lighter trim.
The important thing is to consider how the siding color will look alongside the roof and other permanent exterior features.
If you're replacing the roof and siding at the same time, this is also an opportunity to coordinate both projects instead of selecting each material separately.
5. Think About Missouri's Weather
A siding decision shouldn’t be based entirely on curb appeal.
Homes in the St. Louis region experience significant seasonal changes. Your exterior may face hot summer temperatures, humidity, heavy rainfall, freezing temperatures, and strong storms throughout the year.
That makes material selection and proper installation important.
Look for siding that is designed for long-term exterior use and consider how the complete siding system will manage moisture and weather exposure.
Professional installation matters, too. Even a quality siding product can perform poorly if it is improperly installed or if underlying exterior problems are ignored.
Before siding installation begins, the condition of the existing exterior should be evaluated. Damaged areas, moisture problems, or other issues may need to be addressed before the new siding is installed.
6. Consider How Much Maintenance You Want
Your preferred maintenance level should also influence your siding decision.
Some homeowners don’t mind periodically cleaning, painting, or maintaining their exterior. Others want a siding system that minimizes ongoing maintenance.
Fiber cement siding can be an attractive option for homeowners who want the appearance of traditional siding while looking for a durable exterior material.
James Hardie also offers pre-finished siding through its ColorPlus® Technology, providing homeowners with factory-applied color options.
When comparing products, don’t only ask, “What does it look like today?”
Ask:
What will this exterior look like and require five, ten, or more years from now?
That long-term perspective can help you make a better investment decision.
7. Don't Overlook Trim and Exterior Details
Siding doesn’t work alone.
Trim around windows, doors, corners, rooflines, and other architectural features can dramatically affect the finished appearance.
You can use contrasting trim to emphasize architectural details or choose a more subtle combination for a streamlined appearance.
For example, a neutral siding color with bright contrasting trim can create a traditional look, while similar siding and trim tones can produce a more contemporary appearance.
If you’re considering multiple siding profiles, trim can also help separate different sections of the exterior and make the combination look intentional.
8. Consider James Hardie® Fiber Cement Siding
If you’re looking for a siding material that combines design flexibility with long-term exterior performance, James Hardie® fiber cement siding is worth considering.
James Hardie offers a variety of siding profiles and styles, allowing homeowners to customize the appearance of their exterior.
Depending on the home’s design, homeowners can consider options such as:
- Horizontal lap siding
- Shingle-style siding
- Panel siding
- Vertical siding applications
- Different textures and finish options
- Multiple exterior color choices
This flexibility makes it easier to create a siding design that complements the home’s architecture instead of forcing every home into the same appearance.
For Missouri homeowners, the decision should also include an evaluation of the home’s existing exterior and the installation details required for proper performance.
9. Think About the Full Project Before Choosing
New siding can change much more than the walls of your home.
Once you choose a siding color and profile, consider how it will look with the rest of the exterior.
If you’re planning other exterior improvements, think about coordinating:
Siding → Roof → Trim → Gutters → Windows → Doors
This can prevent a situation where the siding looks good by itself but doesn’t work with the rest of the property.
It’s also worth thinking about whether you’re planning to sell the home in the future. A highly personalized exterior may appeal strongly to one homeowner but not necessarily to everyone.
A balanced color palette and timeless siding style can help maintain curb appeal over the long term.
Professional Siding Installation in St. Charles County and Greater St. Louis
Choosing the right siding is only half of the project. Proper installation is essential to achieving the appearance and performance you expect from your new exterior.
Horizon Roofing & Exteriors provides professional siding installation for homeowners throughout St. Charles County and the Greater St. Louis area.
Our team can help you evaluate siding styles, profiles, colors, and exterior combinations based on your home’s existing design.
If you’re considering James Hardie® fiber cement siding, we can help you determine whether it is a good fit for your home’s exterior and discuss the available design options.
A siding project is a long-term investment. Taking time to choose the right material, style, and color can help you create an exterior that looks at home in your neighborhood and performs through Missouri’s changing weather.
Frequently Asked Questions About Choosing Siding
The best siding depends on the home’s design, maintenance preferences, budget, and desired appearance. Homeowners should also consider how the material will handle Missouri’s seasonal weather and whether it is properly installed.
Start by considering your roof, brick or stone, trim, windows, doors, and other permanent exterior features. Choose a siding color that complements these elements rather than selecting a color in isolation.
Fiber cement siding can be a strong option for homeowners who want a durable exterior with a variety of styles, textures, and colors. James Hardie® fiber cement siding is one option homeowners can consider when replacing or upgrading their exterior.
Horizontal lap siding is a common choice for ranch homes because its horizontal lines complement the home’s typically low, elongated profile. Vertical or shingle-style accents can also be used to add architectural interest.
Yes. Combining siding profiles can add visual interest and emphasize architectural features. For example, horizontal lap siding can be paired with vertical or shingle-style accents.
Not necessarily. However, if both systems need replacement, completing them together can make it easier to coordinate colors and the overall exterior design. A roofing and siding professional can evaluate the condition of both systems and help you prioritize the work.
The timeline depends on the home’s size, siding material, design complexity, existing exterior condition, weather, and other project factors. A professional siding contractor can provide a more accurate timeframe after evaluating the property.
Ready to Upgrade Your Home's Exterior?
The right siding can improve your home’s curb appeal while giving the exterior a refreshed, cohesive appearance.
If you’re considering new siding in St. Charles County or the Greater St. Louis area, Horizon Roofing & Exteriors can help you evaluate your options and plan the right siding solution for your home.
Contact Horizon Roofing & Exteriors to discuss James Hardie® fiber cement siding and professional siding installation for your Missouri home.
Brian Donohue
Brian Donohue is the owner of Horizon Roofing & Exteriors, the leading roofing company in St. Peters, Missouri, dedicated to delivering quality roofing solutions. With a strong background in project management, sales, and customer service, Brian has built a reputation for reliability and excellence in the roofing and construction industry.