Choosing the right shed siding is one of the key decisions you’ll make when purchasing an Amish-built shed. Your choice affects the visual look and long-term protection of your purchase, so it’s important to understand your options before making a decision.
Shed Siding’s Dual Purpose
Siding for shed construction serves a dual purpose that goes beyond appearance.
From an aesthetic standpoint, your chosen shed material determines how well your new structure complements your existing home and landscape. The right type of siding can turn a basic storage unit into an attractive architectural feature that improves the overall appeal and value of your property.
More importantly, quality shed siding panels create a barrier that protects your stored items from the elements. Your siding helps determine how well your shed withstands seasonal weather changes, moisture, UV exposure, and temperature changes – all of which are common throughout the Mid-Atlantic region that we primarily serve.
What to Consider When Choosing Shed Siding
Budget
Your budget plays a role in determining which shed siding option makes the most sense for your project.
It can be tempting to choose the least expensive option. But it’s important to consider long-term costs like ongoing maintenance, repairs, and replacement needs.
Durability
Exposure to weather, sunlight, and temperature are factors that can affect the lifespan of shed siding, and these depend mainly on where you live.
In the Northeast corner of the country where our headquarters and manufacturing facility are located, you’ll want to choose shed materials that can handle different climate conditions like freeze-thaw cycles, seasonal moisture changes, and occasional severe weather.
You should also consider how much wear and tear your shed will experience from daily use, potential impacts from lawn equipment, and other environmental factors.
Maintenance Needs
Different shed materials require different levels of care to maintain their appearance and performance.
Some siding materials like vinyl or metal are low-maintenance and will require minimal effort to keep them looking new. Other siding options may require more regular maintenance work like painting, staining, cleaning, and inspection. So factor in your willingness to do these tasks when making your siding selection.
Energy Efficiency
If you plan to use your shed as a workshop, office, or climate-controlled storage space, it’s best to consider energy-efficient features in your shed design. The good news is today’s shed construction increasingly considers energy efficiency, and insulated siding options can help reduce energy costs.
Vinyl siding, for example, is the most energy-efficient option. So if you plan to add electricity or HVAC to your shed, consider this siding and benefit from long-term cost savings. Contact our team to speak about insulation options.
Color Selection
The color of your shed siding panels affects the aesthetic and practical performance of your structure.
Lighter-colored siding can help improve a shed’s energy efficiency by reflecting more sunlight, which can help keep your shed cooler in the summer. And choosing colors that complement your home’s exterior will create a cohesive look to your property and elevate its overall curb appeal and value.
HOA Compliance
Before choosing your siding material, research any homeowners association (HOA) policies that may apply to your property.
Some HOAs require that shed materials, colors, and styles match your home’s exterior, and some might prohibit certain materials like metal siding or bright siding colors.
Understanding HOA restrictions early in your planning process will save you time and potential headaches down the road.
Shed Siding Options from Lancaster Barns
Lancaster Barns offers eight distinct shed siding materials, and each are designed to meet a wide range of aesthetic preferences, budgets, and durability needs:
1. Economy LP SmartPanel Siding
Our Economy LP SmartPanel siding is a durable engineered wood panel that offers the look of real wood at a more economical price. It’s resistant to environmental wear and tear and offers a great value for budget-conscious customers who don’t want to sacrifice quality or appearance.
2. Painted DuraTemp T1-11 Siding
DuraTemp is one of the most economical, attractive, and flexible siding options. It can be more easily color-matched to existing structures and generally has long-lasting color retention. DuraTemp also works well with different shed styles.
3. Vinyl Shed Siding
Vinyl shed siding is one of the most popular low-maintenance options available. It’s weather-resistant, won’t easily rot or crack, and is resistant to insect damage. And it doesn’t require painting. At Lancaster Barns, we offer a variety of vinyl siding colors and can do custom matches when available.
4. Board and Batten Siding
Board and batten shed siding creates a timeless aesthetic that many property owners love. Also called barn siding, board and batten is a vertical siding style that features rough-hewn and kiln-dried white pine for a natural wood appearance.
5. LP Lap Siding
LP Lap siding with SmartGuard technology is an engineered lumber siding product that’s designed to look like real cedar cladding. It’s a high-performance option that combines the beauty of natural wood with extra durability and protection.
6. Rough Cut Wood or Log Siding
If a real wood shed is a must, then rough cut wood or log siding will deliver that genuine natural beauty. We offer Rustic and Natural Pine Log siding and Heritage Lap siding made from rough-hewn kiln dried with pine. Wood or log siding can be combined with stone veneer siding to create a unique appearance.
7. Metal Siding
Metal siding offers exceptional durability with minimal ongoing maintenance which makes it perfect for customers who want years-long performance with little upkeep. At Lancaster Barns, ribbed and standing seam options are available.
8. Stone Veneer Siding
Want to add a unique look to your backyard Amish shed? Incorporate stone veneer siding into the design. This siding option can be combined with other siding materials like board and batten, log, or LP lap siding.
The Lancaster Barns Difference: Amish-Built Quality
While shed siding panels and materials are very important, the overall construction quality will determine how long your shed will last.
Each Lancaster Barns structure is Amish-built and designed to stand the test of time, with superior durability compared to mass-produced products you’ll find in big box stores.
The combination of premium materials, quality siding, and expert craftsmanship ensures that your Lancaster Barns shed will continue to serve your needs for years to come!
Ready to make a wise investment in your property’s functionality and value? Contact us for a free quote, or talk to a shed designer.
