Shingle Siding: What It Is and How Others Use It

You can do like these homeowners and paint all of your siding the same, or you can use a complementary accent color.
The most popular brand of fiber cement siding comes from James Hardie. That’s why you’ll often hear this product referred to as Hardie Siding or Hardie Board. However, you can also find fiber cement shingle siding from other brands and at major home improvement stores.

These are the three most common types of shingle siding.
Cedar shakes have been the most popular shingle siding in the past, but other options are available, including vinyl and fiber cement.

What is Shingle Siding?

Like vinyl, you can get fiber cement shingles in multiple colors, textures, and shapes.
You can find shingle siding in vinyl and fiber cement materials. Plus, you can get these options in panels rather than individual pieces – making installation easier and less time-consuming.
Traditionally, builders have used it on craftsman bungalows and cape cod style homes, but more and more, it’s added as an accent to modern or traditional styles.
Cedar is naturally weatherproof – it stands up to moisture and resists rot and bug infestations, making it a popular shingle siding option.

Types of Shingle Siding

On this home, the shingles add textural interest and look great above the stone on the porch.

1. Cedar Shake Siding

If you’re after a modern aesthetic, there is no need to switch between colors. You can keep your regular siding and shingle siding the same color.
You can side your entire home with shingles if you want a rustic, cottagey feel. However, most homeowners use it as an accent to add texture and interest to the front of their house.
Shingle siding is one of the best products for adding texture and visual interest to your home’s exterior. 
If you want a natural look, use cedar shingles. You can stain them or leave them untreated. This works well for many houses, especially rustic and cottage styles.

• Lifespan – 10-40 years, depending on type and maintenance
• Pricing – $1.50 – $7 per square foot (material only)
• Maintenance Level – Mid to high

2. Vinyl Shingle Siding

This look shows that shingle siding looks beautiful even in the tiniest amounts.
Fiber cement siding is quickly becoming one of the most used siding materials in newer home construction.
The price of this material varies significantly by style and manufacturer. The high-end products are as much as per square foot, while you can find options at around per square foot on the lower end.
Shingle siding ranges from .50 to per square foot, depending on the material. This, however, doesn’t cover installation costs which can add another – per square foot to the total price.

• Lifespan – 50 years
• Pricing – $4 – $10 per square foot (material only)
• Maintenance Level – Low

3. Fiber Cement Shingle Siding 

If you have a covered front porch like this, it’s a prime spot for shingle siding. Even though the area is small, the shingles add a ton of curb appeal to the home.
Cedar shakes are the traditional shingle siding. They’re small wooden pieces, the shape of shingles, installed one by one to create an overlapping, staggering effect. They add dimension and texture to a home.
From afar, this type of shingle siding looks incredibly wood-like. In fact, most of your guests will assume it’s painted cedar shake.
As the name implies, this is a cement-based siding that is termite, wind, rot, and fireproof. And like vinyl, you can find fiber cement siding in all forms – smooth boards, wood-look, stucco, and shingles.

• Lifespan – 25-50 years
• Pricing – $3 to $6 per square foot (material only)
• Maintenance Level – Low

Houses with Shingle Siding: Ideas

Vinyl shingle siding usually comes in two-foot-long strips for easy installation.

Keep Colors Consistent

You can add a sealant or coat of paint to make your cedar shingles last longer. You can also leave cedar untreated and unpainted. The downside is that it won’t last as long and will fade to silvery gray over time.
Vinyl is hard to beat if you’re looking for a low-maintenance siding. You can find vinyl shingles in many colors, styles, and textures.
No, you should remove old shingles or siding before adding new ones. If you don’t, you’ll trap in moisture and rot. This is especially important if your old single siding shows any signs of wear, bug infestation, or moisture damage.

Go for a Natural Look

Cedar shake is a type of shingle siding. Other types of shingle siding include vinyl and fiber cement. All have their own sets of pros and cons.
On this house, shingle siding is on the smallest area over the window of a dormer. While this adds some texture to the home, it also serves a practical need. Installing the small shakes above the window looks better than trying to clad it in clapboard siding.
Cedar shingles are a durable softwood used in various outdoor applications. Its rich, warm color adds classic beauty to a home. 

Accent Over the Garage

If you’re considering an idea like this, you don’t have to go with the same color as the rest of your house. Instead, consider a complementary color or cedar shake.
If you need ideas for adding shake siding to your home’s exterior, here’s a look at how others have done it.

Use it On High Pitched Areas

You can use shingle siding to cover your entire house, typical for cottage or cape cod styles, or use them as a small accent on the front of your home.
Here’s what to know about shingle siding, plus some ideas for adding it to your home.

Spruce Up Your Curb Appeal

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Final Thoughts

You can find cedar shingles in many styles, including straight edge, wavy, beveled edge, and other decorative shapes.
The wood shingles tie in with the wood accents and light brown siding. However, wood shingle siding works well with all other colors, building materials, and with wood siding.