5 kinds of house siding: colors galore

If siding material adds a finishing touch and protects the exterior of your house, siding colors give it curb appeal. You can choose a type of siding that comes factory-finished in a variety of colors or one you can paint in virtually any color or combination of colors. Your options for house siding colors may or may not be determined by the material you choose.

1. Vinyl siding

Composed of PVC (polyvinyl chloride), vinyl siding is impact-, insect- and water-resistant. It generally comes in factory-finished colors that are mixed into the PVC during production, so they become an integral part of the material. Over 350 fade-resistant colors of vinyl siding exist. Vinyl siding requires no painting, but if you tire of the color, you can take a paintbrush to it and change it up.

2. Fiber cement siding

Fiber cement is a composite material made of cement, cellulose fibers, and sand. The product resembles wood and is especially strong, as well as fire- and insect-resistant.

Fiber cement siding comes in factory-finished colors or can be painted by the homeowner. If factory-finished, fiber cement siding receives multiple coats of paint that are baked into the material. Color choices are limited, however, so some homeowners choose to paint their siding, notes Joe Soria, owner of California Siding Inc.

3. Wood siding

Wood siding has a rich, natural look and is resistant to breakage from impact. Wood siding can come already primed or painted from the factory, or you can get it unfinished and paint or stain it yourself. Wood requires periodic re-staining or re-painting to protect it from the elements.

4. Aluminum siding

Aluminum siding is a durable siding material that resists temperature changes, rotting, insect damage and rust. It comes painted from the factory, or you can paint your own in the colors of your choice.

5. Stucco siding

Consisting of lime, silica sand and white cement, stucco is a texturized siding material that is most often used in architectural styles such as adobe and Mediterranean. House siding colors are generally mixed into the stucco at the time of manufacture, although you can paint over existing stucco.

If you are looking for factory-finished, siding colors, vinyl siding has the most colors to offer, but if you don't mind painting, most siding materials allow you an unlimited array of color choices.