Archaeologists claim the first dwellings fabricated outside the caves concentrated mostly on the roofs as the human occupants needed a respite from the sun and rain. These primitive cultures realized quickly that they needed protection from the sides as well as from above. In colder climates animal skins covered the sides of framed huts while the northern North American tribes, like the Mohawks, built longhouses with rectangular, elm bark shingles for both siding and roofing. In addition, they built palisades around the village for both protection from other tribes and also as a barrier from the drifting snow.

Before putting siding on your home it is a good idea to step back and evaluate the style of your home. For example, is your home is a southern ranch-style on one level it begs for the adobe look of stucco rather than vinyl siding. Since siding makes up a large part of the home's curb appeal a mismatched exterior might have an effect on the resale of the property no matter how nicely it is done.

1. Wooden Clapboards

One of the first types of siding used by early American builders was pine clapboard. Pine was readily available and could be split into long, beveled planks. Using the thicker side on the bottom the planks were overlapped so that water would naturally run off and not enter the interior of the home. Properly-maintained clapboard can last over a hundred years. In fact there are more than a few homes built in the late 1700's that still have the original pine siding.

Today pine clapboard is milled and even comes pre-painted. As well, it is the most imitated of the sidings and is manufactured in metal and vinyl products and it can be made from many types of wood including cedar.

2. Engineered Clapboard Siding

Early composite wood siding was cheap and stamped with wood-grain to mimic real pine clapboards however any nick in the surface would allow moisture in and cause swelling in spots. Advances in the type of glues and epoxies have alleviated these problems and, as well, the new painting processes guarantee decades of maintenance-free use.

3. Aluminum Siding

In the late 1950's and 1960's the low maintenance promise of aluminum siding freed homeowners from the mess and hours of repainting the home in oil-based paint, the only paint of the time. Even though the first generation of aluminum faded and dented very easily it was a major success and still proves to be a good seller in the siding business. The new aluminum-clapboard products are powder-coated with coloring which provides an almost fade-proof finish which will keep its original shine for decades. In addition, unlike vinyl and cement fiber siding aluminum is completely recyclable.

4. Cedar Shingles

Once one of the most popular type of siding cedar could be painted or left to weather to a beautiful natural silver. Insects hated cedar and the oils in the shingle prevented rotting even in moist areas of the country like Seattle. Many period homes was resided with cedar because the owners know that they will never have to to the job again as long as they own the home.

5. Brick

Like clapboards brick has a storied history in the siding. Being made of fired clay brick will last a century or more and does not need mortar repointing for at least thirty years. It also adds to the resale value of the home as there are few people who do not like the classic style of brick.

However, brick is expensive and if you want to get the look of brick without the huge bill there are brick veneers which are glued on and then mortared. These do not require the labor nor the skill of a mason. In addition there is "mortar-less brick" where the brick has a special tab which interlock when stacked.

6. Stucco

For many areas of the country stucco is a great siding. It creates a waterproof and heat proof shell that will last for years. In addition it can be painted or, while being applied, it can be colored. Stucco is not recommended for areas where there is a pronounced freeze-thaw cycle as it may crack.

7. Stone

Most of the stone siding these is cultured or veneered stone. In many applications this has a striking look , especially as a border or the face of a log home.

8. Vinyl Clapboard

Polyvinyl Chloride, or PVC, is cheap to buy and easy to install. For these reasons it is probably the most widely-used sidings in the country. In addition, it is available in many colors. However, PVC siding has a tendency crack and split and the cheaper types will fade in time. Newer siding is made from 2 different types of vinyl, one for strength veneered with another to withstand the ultra-violet rays and maintain color integrity.

9. Foam-Backed Insulation Siding

This siding is also clapboard-shaped but has a stiffer construction like real wood. The closed-cell foam backing also gives an added R-value of 4.0 to the home while wood and the others may have 1.0. It increase the strength and dent resistance of vinyl by 300%.

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