Exterior siding is transformational for residential homes. It also has to meet the family budget while holding up to Minnesota’s extreme environment. Sun, wind, humidity, freeze thaw and critters all need to be considered. With careful planning, you can design the perfect look today that prevents repair and replacement costs down the road.
Here are our winning Minnesota exterior home siding trends.
Siding to avoid in Minnesota
Every residential siding material has pros and cons, but a few siding materials do better in climates beyond Minnesota. Traditional wood siding looks beautiful but is very expensive and subject to repeated water absorption and drying cycles that accelerate warping, discoloration, and deterioration. And stucco–although not a siding but a favorite residential home exterior due to its stunning aesthetic–is also prone to water absorption and typically does better in warm, dry climates.
Exterior siding for Minnesota
Exterior siding materials have expanded Minnesotans high-performance options. Vinyl and steel siding remains dependable stalwarts. Manufactured products like fiber cement and engineered wood siding emulate natural materials while adding durability, sustainability and more finish options. Our Siding page details product features for each.
In 2022, what we are seeing is that homes featuring more sustainable and durable exterior siding products and the use texture and contrast to update traditional residential styles.
Mix and match
Mixing and matching different siding styles, sizes, finishes and colors is one of the most popular trends. The popularity of repeating these exterior materials within interior designs is exploding, as this trend creates consistency and cohesiveness throughout the home. Using siding to highlight specific home features or transition from room to room adds interest and movement. Mixing and matching can also control budgets as it gives opportunities to incorporate higher-end materials more sparingly.
Vertical vinyl
Vinyl siding has long been an affordable siding choice. Traditionally, vinyl siding is placed horizontally, but today vertical vinyl siding adds a modern twist. Use vertical vinyl to set off windows, feature entrances or break up long lines while still holding projects to budget.
Color trends
Look through any neighborhood, and you’ll see the trend toward monotone color combinations and darker tones. Rather than bold color contrasts, homes use different siding materials, styles and sizes to differentiate. The subtle yet highly-textured designs add depth and highlight home features with dramatic effects. However, darker colors are prone to fade in harsh climates and tend to highlight dings and deterioration more than light colors. Be prepared for more frequent touch-ups and repainting when using the darkest colors. One solution is to use dark colors as the feature, accent, or transition color and keep the primary color light to better conceal wear.
2022 Top color trends
- Natural Wood
- Earthy Neutrals
- Warm Creams
- Cobalt
- Dusty Charcoal
- All Black
High-quality installation is one of the most critical aspects of achieving siding durability and longevity. Remember to ask questions and to include repair and replacement costs when budgeting for your exterior siding project.