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House siding materials have changed throughout modern American history. Drive through a neighborhood in the United States and the siding on one house might not match the home next to it because of the variety. The type of siding on homes is generally dictated by the time and region in which the house was built, read on to learn why.

Siding in the 18th & 19th Centuries

sidingAlthough builders in the 18th and 19th centuries did not have the luxury of today’s construction tools and technology, they still managed to build sturdy homes with siding made of stone, brick, and wood. Stone was popular because it was durable, while bricks could easily be made with clay and a kiln. Wood was also a go-to choice for builders in that time because trees were readily available.

Siding Shifts in the 20th Century

As suburbs flourished during the middle of the 20th century, so did options for siding. Aluminum siding became available just before the 1950s, then vinyl siding followed a decade later. Vinyl grew in popularity once manufacturers began offering more color and style options, plus the material was more durable than aluminum.  

Next came the plywood T1-11 siding, lap siding, and finally fiber cement siding became all the rage after that thanks to its durability and ability to mimic the look of wood. Homeowners liked that it presented a traditional style, but was still very sturdy and did not rot.

Freres Building Supply still stocks many types of T1-11 siding for both new construction and repair. They keep numerous different styles in both plywood & OSB type aka “smart side”.  As for lap siding, they stock beveled cedar siding and LP lap siding in a few different widths. In fiber cement siding they keep Hardie-lap in six different widths, along with a more affordable 8-1/4” type also made by Hardie called “Cemplank”.

Vinyl siding is very hard to find nowadays on the west coast; almost nobody uses it on new home construction. Compared to alternatives, it’s very expensive and finding somebody who still repairs vinyl siding can be quite challenging. Certain colors get discontinued which makes finding material for repairs extremely difficult.

Whether you want to continue with current siding trends or buck the status quo during your home construction, turn to Freres Building Supply in Stayton, OR, to stock up on all the right materials. They offer one-on-one customer service and provide building materials such as insulation, plywood, and siding. Visit their website to see a full list of materials or call their store at (503) 769-2879.  

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