Here are the most popular materials for exterior siding. If you like the idea of vinyl but don’t like the look of vinyl panels, another option is to have a professional painter spray on a liquid PVC coating. Made from polymers and resins, the paint-like coating is about as thick as a credit card when it dries. Liquid PVC became widely available in the mid-1980s, and reviews are mixed. The damage caused by a poor application can be devastating. Learn about chemistry before you choose. Remember that the sidings we’re talking about here are ones that are mass-produced and readily available. Anything can be used as siding when it’s custom-made, as demonstrated by architect Frank Gehry. Consider the stainless steel siding on his award-winning design for the Disney Concert Hall. Why don’t we see houses with stainless steel siding?
