A few things to keep in mind when selecting your shed siding:

• Think about how your shed will go with your house. Though it may not matter to some if its not a perfect match, you certainly don’t want to violate any neighborhood covenants or create such a contrast your shed is considered an eyesore.

• What’s your climate like? Carefully selecting your siding material could avoid early rot, rust, or warping.

• How comfortable are you with working with various building materials? If your comfortable and are willing take on some of the trickier options, you’ll enjoy the rewards of a sharp looking shed.

Wood is by far the most popular siding choice for building a shed. In part wood is a popular choice for some very good reasons – it’s easy to work with, offers several appealing choices and can be very affordable. Be sure to use only wood that is treated for outdoor use and avoid rot. If you’re going for a shed with pleasing aesthetics, wood offers plenty of choices:

Tongue and groove siding will match most homes beautifully, is relatively easy to install and available in a variety of price points.

Our personal favorite is Board and Batten – offering a beautiful look, you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to install. We like this option a lot – it looks great on the outside and the inside of the shed especially if you enjoy a nice rustic looking shed.

Redwood or Cedar Shakes are good choice, though not as economical to install. Cedar tends to be naturally rot resistant and as a result is a good choice for a long lasting shed.

Plywood isn’t pretty, but it’s the cheapest, reasonably durable and frankly, is very easy to install.

Clapboard, also another economical option, easy to install on your shed and very affordable. Not visually appealing but durable and easy to maintain. Clapboard are simple overlapping horizontal rows.

Vinyl, the affordable, long lasting option – if you don’t mind a synthetic look, vinyl siding will last a very long time and be very low maintenance. uPVC weatherboarding siding is an excellent choice if you aren’t looking to use a natural material to side your storage shed. You will never deal with rot or rust – but definitely not the prettiest option.

Corrugated plastic roof panels – yes, we know this isn’t a typical siding option, but this choice is very affordable, allows light inside, and is so long lasting and low maintenance you’ll grow old with it; a bit tricky to install, but manageable.

Metal, if your building your own shed using a kit, you’ll typically be able to choose from aluminum or galvanized steel. Metal is the common offering for kits and not always the best choice – though fire proof and typically economically priced that can rust and may not offer the same longevity as other options. Consider corrugated steel siding as a durable option – available in sheets for custom building.

Fibre-cement siding, it’s surprising how much this option looks like wood once you smother it in a coat of paint. You won’t find fibre-cement siding to be most the affordable option, however if your building a shed intended to look sharp for a very long period of time, this may be a good option. This option is strong on longevity but can be a bit challenging to work with – it’s not the easiest to install.

Masonry sidings are visually very appealing and will give your garden a grand accent. Lot’s of choices with masonry options – however the main drawback is cost, balance this with over a 100 year lifespan and minimal maintenance it may be worth it. More skill required to install, but if you can do it, it’s a unique option that will make your neighbor jealous.

Article originally published at Source by Shannon Schei