Wood Siding: A Comprehensive Guide for Selecting the Best Wood

04.08.2025

Choosing the best exterior wood siding

Wood siding adds timeless charm and natural beauty to any building, but with so many options available, how do you choose the right one?

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know. We will discuss:

What are the different types of wood siding?
Styles of wood siding
Best wood siding: Aesthetics
Best wood siding: Durability
Best wood siding: Maintenance
Best wood siding: Cost
Traditional wood siding vs modified wood siding
Modified wood siding: Thermally vs acetylated wood

What are the different types of wood siding?

There are numerous different types of wood siding available on the market but to help choose the best wood siding, you need to look at all the available options:

Pine Siding – affordable and easy to work with, but pine siding is soft and therefore can be more prone to dents, cracking and warping as well as rotting if not properly sealed and maintained.

Oak Siding – beautiful, strong and durable option with a distinctive grain, but it does require regular sealing to prevent moisture absorption and decay. It is less commonly used due to cost and maintenance needs.

Cypress Wood Siding – naturally resistant to rot and moisture due to its natural oils. A durable choice that requires minimal maintenance but can be costly and difficult to source in some regions.

Western Red Cedar – a popular, moderately expensive wood for siding that is naturally resistant to insects and decay. However, it does need regular maintenance such as staining or sealing to prevent warping, splitting and splintering.

Redwood Siding – premium-quality wood that is more resistant to warping and insects than cedar due to its higher concentration of natural tannins. It is more expensive and often darker in tone. Requires maintenance to maintain its appearance.

Douglas Fir Wood Siding – a strong, lightweight wood with uniform, straight grain that resists twisting, heat and moisture. It holds finishes well, but is not as naturally decay-resistant as cedar or redwood and requires proper sealing.

Ipe Wood Siding – a dense, naturally durable low-maintenance hardwood but comes at a high purchase cost. It is naturally resistant to insects, rot, and moisture and has a long lifespan, but is difficult to work with due to its hardness.

Engineered Wood Siding – a manufactured product made from wood fibers and resin. It is engineered for durability and hence resistant to water, warping, fungus, highly durable and low-maintenance. It is a cost-effective alternative to solid wood and requires less maintenance, but lower-quality options may be less durable, and improper sealing can lead to moisture-related issues over time.

Thermally Modified Wood Siding – heat-treated wood that becomes more stable, moisture-resistant and durable. A sustainable choice that offers enhanced longevity while maintaining a natural wood appearance.

Burnt Wood Siding (Shou Sugi Ban) – traditionally a Japanese technique, where wood is charred to create a striking and durable surface and improves fire-resistance. It creates a unique aesthetic but may be prone to damage when it comes to extreme weathers such as hail.

Accoya Wood Siding – considered one of the best and most advanced wood siding options, Accoya is a high-performance, acetylated wood known for its exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and resistance to rot, swelling, and insects. It is a sustainable choice with extensive warranties, though its superior quality comes at a premium price.

Shown: Beach House at Bethany Beach, DE. Architect: Good Architecture. Builder: Winchester Construction Co., Inc. Window & Door Manufacturer: Dover Windows & Doors. Landscape Architect: Lila Fendrick Landscape Architects. Photography: Erik Kvalsvik. Interior Designer: Mona Hajj Interiors.

Accoya wood windows/doors, shutter systems, siding, architectural columns, exterior trim, and exposed rafter tails on residential beach house in Bethany DE.

Styles of wood siding

It is not only the type of wood, but also the style of the wood siding that plays a crucial role in the final look, durability and installation methods. Here are some wood siding styles:

Clapboard Siding – one of the most popular wood siding styles, using thin horizontal long planks that slightly overlap, creating a classic, weather-resistant design. Also known as lap siding.

Shingle Siding – composed of small, uniformly cut thin pieces of wood set in an overlapping pattern similar to roof tiles. It provides a textured, refined look and is often used in coastal or cottage-style homes.

Board & Batten Siding – a traditional vertical siding style where wide vertical boards of wood are installed side by side with narrower strips (battens) covering the seams. This style creates a rustic or farmhouse aesthetic and offers good durability.

Bevel Siding – similar to clapboard but with a tapered design, where the top edge is thinner than the bottom, creating a natural water-shedding effect.

Tongue & Groove Siding – features interlocking edges for a seamless, smooth appearance. Can be installed vertically, horizontally, or diagonally for different design effects.

Channel Rustic Siding – a variation of shiplap with a small channel between boards, adding texture while allowing for slight expansion and contraction of the wood.

Shiplap Siding – overlapping horizontal boards with a rabbet joint (notched edge) that creates a tight seal. Popular for both exterior and interior applications, offering a clean, modern, or farmhouse look.

Log Siding – milled to resemble rounded logs, giving homes a traditional log cabin appearance while using less wood than full log construction.

Drop Siding – similar to shiplap but with a curved or concave profile, allowing for a smoother transition between boards.

Shown: White Stone residence in Virginia. Architect: Randall Kipp Architecture. Photography: ©Maxwell Mackenzie. Accoya wood siding provided by Accoya Manufacturer, reSAWN TIMBER co.

Now we have established the different types and styles of wood siding, we need to consider the four key attributes: aesthetics, durability, maintenance and cost.

Aesthetics – how the wood looks, including its natural grain, color options, and how it changes over time.
Durability – the wood’s ability to withstand environmental factors such as moisture, pests, and UV exposure.
Maintenance – how much upkeep is required to keep the wood in good condition, including sealing, staining, and painting.
Cost – the balance between initial price, longevity, and long-term maintenance expenses.

By examining these factors, you can determine the best wood siding that fits your project’s priorities, whether that’s long-term durability, minimal upkeep, or a specific aesthetic.

Best wood siding: Aesthetics

When selecting the best wood siding, aesthetics play a key role, as the material’s appearance will define the structure’s character for years to come. Most natural wood siding offers an organic, timeless beauty, unlike vinyl, aluminum or fiber cement siding.

Choosing the best wood siding purely on appearance is subjective, as color and style ultimately come down to personal preference.

For a lighter colored wood siding, consider Pine, Oak, Cedar, Spruce, Redwood, Douglas Fir or Accoya.

If you prefer a richer, darker tone, Western Red Cedar or Thermally Modified Wood are excellent options.

Looking for a natural gray hue with minimal maintenance? Accoya Color Grey offers a long-lasting, through-core color solution.

You can even go all the way to the end of the color spectrum with deep black tones by choosing wood that has been treated using the ancient Japanese technique of charring the wood called Shou Sugi Ban.

Another important factor to consider is that virtually all wood, unless regularly maintained, will weather and gradually fade to a silver-grey tone over time. The rate at which this happens depends on the wood species, with some showing signs of aging earlier than others. In general, darker wood siding, except for charred wood, is more prone to fading due to UV exposure, while moisture and pollution can also impact color changes.

If you want to skip the natural weathering process and achieve an instant grey aesthetic, Accoya Color Grey is a great option. It is colored to match the look of naturally weathered wood from the start, ensuring a consistent appearance with minimal color change over time.

Finally, the grain pattern can differ greatly from one type of wood siding to another. Douglas Fir wood siding has longs straight graining whilst hardwoods have a tighter grain.

Shown: Six Square House by Resawn Timber Co. IKIGAI Charred Accoya wood: designed and manufactured by reSAWN TIMBER co.™ Designer: Young Projects. Photographer: Alan Tansey

Best wood siding: Durability

How long does wood siding last?

When you have gone to the expense and considerable bother to have siding installed, you want it to last. Therefore, the best wood siding in terms of durability is the type that will give you decades of protection and ideally with minimal upkeep.

Top of the list in terms of durability is Accoya wood siding. This fast-growing, sustainable softwood undergoes a proprietary high-temperature acetylation process that changes the structure of the wood to make it incredibly durable whilst retaining its natural beauty. In fact, Accoya comes with warranties of up to 50 years, offering long-lasting performance with minimal maintenance.

At the opposite end of the spectrum are softwoods which are prone to rotting, warping and splitting. These include Pine and Douglas Fir. So, whilst they are amongst the most popular and affordable woods for siding, they are not the best wood siding material for long-term durability.

Sitting in the middle are Cedar, Redwood, Cypress and Oak, which offer a balance of affordability and moderately good durability.

Shown: Mollie Hotel in Colorado. Architect: CCY Architects. Manufacturer: Delta Millworks. Contractor: Shaw Construction. Photographer: Draper White.

Best wood siding: Maintenance

While wood siding longevity varies, proper maintenance can prolong its lifespan. Sealing or staining helps protect the wood siding, however it can be a time-consuming, expensive and regular chore. That is why some of the best wood siding are the types that require as little maintenance as possible.

There are three obvious ways of protecting your wood siding and keep it looking at its best. To different degrees, each method will provide protection from moisture, UV rays and the longevity of the wood if applied every few years.

Sealing – a clear protective layer of sealant needs to be applied to the wood siding every few years to prevent moisture from penetrating. However, it does not protect against UV exposure, so wood may still fade over time.

Staining – a good quality semi-transparent or solid stain penetrates the fibers of the wood siding and prevents moisture ingress and gives some UV protection. Stains allow the natural grain to show through while extending the wood’s life span.

Painting – a thick, opaque coating that provides the strongest UV and moisture barrier. However, if not properly applied and maintained, paint can trap moisture beneath the surface, leading to peeling, cracking, or rot.

Different wood siding types require maintenance of different types at different intervals.

Softwoods like Pine and Douglas Fir are the least durable of woods for siding and need more frequent sealing or painting.

Semi-durable Wood Siding like Cedar and Oak will always benefit from sealing to not only make them more resistant to rot and moisture but to also enhance their looks.

Hardwoods like Ipe are much stronger and more durable than most woods for siding but they still require sealing but with specialized sealants.

Engineered Wood Siding is highly durable, stable and much less prone to rot and mold than most other woods. They can however benefit from sealing.

Acetylated Wood Siding (Accoya) – exceptionally durable and naturally low-maintenance, Accoya can be left untreated without the risk of rot or decay. However, if painted or stained, it requires far less frequent maintenance than other woods, as coatings adhere better and last significantly longer.

Shown: Baja Club Hotel, Mexico. Accoya wood specified by Max von Werz Architects and supplied and installed by INNTEC Group. Interior Design: Jaune. Client: Grupo Habita. Contractor: Gravi. Photography: © César Béjar.

Best wood siding: Cost

When trying to work out the cost of the best wood siding, it tends to work on a sliding scale that is in direct correlation with how durable the wood siding is. Basically, the more durable the wood siding, the more expensive it tends to be.

You have to weigh up not only how long the wood siding will last, but also the maintenance costs and the value it will add to your home. Therefore, the higher quality and more durable the wood siding you can afford, the better an investment it will be.

Ranking from the best wood siding to the worst in terms of value for money, ease of maintenance and longevity, here is our round up for what is the best wood for siding:

Best value wood siding long-term – bang for buck, the best wood siding are the woods with the longest lifespan like Accoya.

Best value wood siding short-term – if you are prepared to spend time and money every one or two years maintaining all the siding on your home, then a softwood siding has the lowest initial purchase price.

Shown: Lakeshore Drive residence, Iowa. NIGIRI shou sugi ban charred Accoya designed and manufactured by reSAWN TIMBER co. Architect: Substance Architecture. Location: Okoboji, IA. Photographer: Gaffer Photography LLC.

Traditional Wood Siding vs. Modified Wood Siding

In the search for the best wood siding, the ultimate showdown is between traditional wood siding and modified wood siding. One offers a lower price but potentially shorter lifespan, the other a higher pricetag but with up to five decades of guaranteed performance.

Traditional wood siding, such as Pine, Cedar, and Oak, tends to be more affordable initially but requires regular sealing, staining, or painting to protect against rot, warping, and decay. Over time, maintenance costs add up, and traditional wood siding will likely need replacement sooner than modified alternatives.

Modified Wood Siding: Thermally vs. Acetylated Wood

Modified wood siding offers enhanced durability and stability, with two main types:

Thermally Modified Wood – this process uses heat treatment to change the wood’s structure, making it more resistant to moisture, decay, and pests. Thermally modified wood is often darker in color due to the heat process and offers improved longevity over traditional wood, though it may still require some maintenance and surface treatments over time.

Acetylated Wood (Accoya) – unlike thermal modification, Accoya undergoes a patented acetylation process that permanently alters the wood at a molecular level. This significantly enhances its durability, stability, and resistance to swelling, shrinking, and decay—without compromising its natural beauty. Accoya is warrantied for 50 years above ground, does not require regular maintenance if left untreated, and holds a Cradle to Cradle Certified® Gold certification, with a Platinum rating for Material Health, making it one of the most sustainable and environmentally friendly wood siding options available today. Additionally, paints and stains last much longer on Accoya than on other wood siding materials.

While both thermally modified wood and acetylated wood improve upon traditional wood’s weaknesses, Accoya stands out for its superior longevity, low maintenance, and unmatched sustainability credentials.

Shown: Fire Station 1, Marion, LA. Architect: OPN Architects. Engineers: Hall & Hall Engineers (civil); M2B Structural Engineers (structural); Design Engineers (m/e/p). General Contractor: CCI Group. Supplier: Delta Millworks. Photography: Cameron Campbell.

fire station with natural light and accoya wood

Still undecided?

If you have any more questions regarding which is the best wood siding for your project, or need more information about Accoya high-performance wood siding, please contact us.

Where to Buy

You can buy Accoya and Accoya products from our selection of distributors or manufacturers in your region. Use our map search tool to find your nearest Accoya supplier.

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