What is the most economical way to do siding on a shed? Vinyl vs. Wood?

Question

I am building a small 8X8 shed and have found that the siding is going to be the most expensive part. Are there good economical ways to do this?

Answer 1

The trade name is T-111.

Steven Wolf

Answer 2

1

Answer 3

Inexpensive wood sidings: in 4x8 foot sheets, you can buy T-1-11 with the grooves either 4" on center or 8" o.c. It is 5/8" thick, and can be nailed directly to the studs using galvanized siding nails. There are two grades, usually: a "premium" grade, which has only 6 or less football shaped patches on the face, or a "deco" grade, which may have many more patches. Buy the cheaper one if you are painting, the more expensive if you are staining. Cheap one should run about $25 per sheet, expensive around $30.
You can also buy Louisiana Pacific "Smart Panel", which looks like T-1-11, but is made from chipboard. It is thinner, and comes pre-primed for painting. Saves time, and can still be nailed directly to the studs.
If you use the wood siding, make sure you prime it and paint it on both sides before installing it. Then, it will last much longer than 2 years between paintings.

Answer 4

Vinyl siding is nice; that's what is on my house. But in a neighborhood where 95% of the homes have cedar siding, I would hesitate using anything unnatural. It is nice to have a personal touch on your own home so that it doesn't look like a cookie cutter of everything else in the neighborhood, but using products considered inferior to surrounding homes will probably make your home stand out in a negative way (and that would definitely affect the resale value of your home). I, personally, do not care for the look of cedar after the first or second year. And the maintenance required to keep it looking nice is definitely not anything I'd be interested in. I agree with the person who suggested wood siding with paint. You could also use wood siding and a good stain. You could also consider "log" siding. A nice alternative, and my favorite for your circumstance, is a combination; a stone veneer with cedar accents. You'd still have some maintenance, but not as much, and your home would "fit in" the neighborhood. Goo luck.

Answer 5

Wood plywood siding with grooves may be less than vinyl. With vinyl siding you need osb or plywood sheathing under it.

Answer 6

T-111 or car siding. You'll need to paint it every 2 - 5 years.

Answer 7

5 groove plywood strait on the studs trim with one by then paint and have the maintenance.