The most common siding types in Strafford County are vinyl, fiber cement, wood, and engineered wood — and each one looks, feels, and performs differently.
The most common siding types in Strafford County are vinyl, fiber cement, wood, and engineered wood — and each one looks, feels, and performs differently.
Knowing your siding type helps you understand what maintenance it needs, whether it’s the best siding for New England conditions, and when it might be time to replace it.
How to Identify Your Siding Type
- Vinyl identification: Vinyl siding is lightweight, smooth or woodgrain-textured, and hollow when you tap it. It doesn’t absorb moisture, won’t rot, and has been the number one exterior cladding choice in the U.S. and Canada since 1995.
- Fiber cement identification: Fiber cement siding like James Hardie feels dense and heavy. It’s firm when pressed, painted rather than color-through, and requires periodic repainting and caulking.
- Wood siding identification: Wood siding shows grain texture and is solid when pressed. It requires frequent painting or staining and caulking — ongoing maintenance that costs up to $12,000 per exterior paint project over its lifetime.
- Vinyl siding color choices: If your siding is vinyl, the color is molded through the material, not painted on. Roughly 65% of homeowners currently prefer neutral vinyl siding color choices like Arctic White, Iron Gray, or Boothbay Blue for their homes in the Inland Seacoast area.
- Upgrade considerations: The best siding for New England homes balances durability, moisture resistance, and low maintenance. Vinyl delivers an 118% ROI at resale. Meanwhile, fiber cement earns 121%. Both outperform wood’s higher long-term maintenance costs.
- When to call a pro: If you’re unsure what you have or notice peeling, soft spots, gaps, or moisture staining. A free estimate in Southern NH typically includes a visual inspection of your current siding.
Finding the Best Siding in New England for Your Home
Top Pick: Vinyl siding with a foam-back insulated option for homes in the Seacoast Region — it delivers the lowest maintenance, strongest energy performance, and reliable long-term durability.
Good upgrade: Fiber cement siding for homeowners who want a premium exterior with a 121% ROI and strong resistance to impact, moisture, and fire. Coastal Windows & Exteriors is a James Hardie Preferred Contractor, offering you plenty of perks and exceptional craftsmanship.
Start here: If you’re not sure what siding you have or how long it has left, a free estimate from Coastal Windows & Exteriors includes a no-pressure siding assessment.
Not sure what siding you have or whether it needs replacing? Coastal Windows & Exteriors is the #1 woman-owned exterior remodeling contractor in New England, with 7,000+ installations across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Request a free estimate by clicking here.
Learn more about James Hardie and vinyl siding by clicking here.
For more questions about siding FAQs click here.
Sources:
- Polymeric Exteriors Insulated Siding Guide — https://polymericexteriors.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/09/ISHI_Guide_Update_January_20141.pdf
- Cost vs. Value Report 2024 — https://remodeling.hw.net/cost-vs-value/2024
- Fixr Home Siding Statistics — https://www.fixr.com/articles/home-siding-statistics
- NerdWallet Cost to Paint a House — https://www.nerdwallet.com/home-ownership/home-improvement/learn/save-on-cost-to-paint-a-house
- Exterior Portfolio Vinyl Low Maintenance Guide — https://RoyalBuildingProducts.com/ExteriorPortfolio
- Coastal Windows & Exteriors — https://mycoastalwindows.com
Last Updated: March 2026
