There was a time not that long ago in our country when siding wasn鈥檛 a needed component of home construction. For example, log homes utilized the logs themselves as the weatherproof exterior barrier against the elements, with chinking (traditionally made of clay, mud and sand) filling the gaps between the individual logs. Some log structures were crafted so carefully, such as with Finnish log cabins, that the logs fit so tightly together no chinking was even required.
Times have changed. Except in rare cases, we鈥檙e no longer relying on hewn logs as defense against nature, and modern siding including vinyl, steel, and milled wood (along with other alternative materials) now keep homes safe against Mother Nature. These siding products are an inventory staple of 麻豆传媒 dealers, but that鈥檚 not to say they鈥檙e a stagnant product category. To the contrary, siding continues to evolve to match changing aesthetics and deliver increased performance.
Repair and remodel leads growth
When taken as a whole, manufacturers seem to express a sense of modest optimism when it comes to what the next twelve months may bring for the siding segment, despite the slowing of the housing market. One area they point to as driving growth is the repair and remodel (R&R) segment. 鈥淒espite ongoing economic uncertainties, Westlake Royal Building Products remains optimistic about the siding segment鈥檚 outlook for the coming year,鈥� says Steve Booz, vice president of marketing for Westlake Royal Building Products. 鈥淭his momentum is largely driven by the continued strength of the home improvement market, supported by rising homeowner equity and limited options to move due to higher interest rates. As a result, many homeowners are choosing to stay in place and reinvest in their properties through meaningful remodeling projects, such as siding, that improve functionality, elevate aesthetics and deliver lasting value.鈥�
Statistics seem to bear this out. According to the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report from the National Association of Realtors and National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), Americans spent an estimated $603 billion in 2024 on remodeling their homes. Among NARI members, 42% found a greater demand for contracting in remodeling work during the last two years, while 57% cited that the scale of the projects increased, resulting in a larger project.
鈥淚nterestingly,鈥� Booz continues, 鈥渨hile housing affordability remains a challenge, it hasn鈥檛 been a primary motivator for remodeling. Instead, many homeowners are leveraging their built-up equity to invest in home transformations that enhance their living experience and long-term property value. The 2025 Remodeling Impact Report found that 64% of homeowners expressed a greater desire to be in their homes following a remodel, and 46% reported increased enjoyment of their living spaces.鈥�
This isn鈥檛 to say that siding manufacturers aren鈥檛 paying attention to new housing as a growth driver. Despite recent downswings in new housing construction starts, expects see potential. 鈥淭he siding segment is poised for steady demand, driven by a persistent housing shortage,鈥� says Kim Guimond, chief administrative and marketing officer for Modern Mill.
鈥淎s of May 2025, the U.S. is facing a lack of housing supply, which will continue to fuel construction activity. However, international supply challenges, particularly tariff-related disruptions, are expected to create uncertainty in the siding segment. These challenges present not only obstacles but also opportunities for customers to explore new options. By pivoting to American-made lumber alternatives like Modern Mill鈥檚 products, dealers, builders, and homeowners can bypass tariff-related hurdles. This shift isn鈥檛 just about navigating the current trade climate鈥攊t鈥檚 about making strategic choices that strengthen the American economy and promote a greener planet for future generations.鈥�
Richard Lam, president of NewTechWood, also sees new housing as a growth area for siding. 鈥淚 believe the siding segment is going to continue to grow regardless of the market
because we are still behind a ton of houses that began even before the pandemic, and it was further exacerbated by it,鈥� he explains. 鈥淭he demand for new housing remains strong, and one of the primary ways to address housing affordability is through new construction. As a result, I anticipate continued investment in residential buildings, with siding demand growing alongside it. This lever鈥攖he need to build鈥攚ill likely remain a constant driver for the foreseeable future.鈥�
Contemporary colors and design
For the past few years, tactical use of dramatic, bold siding colors has been on the upswing, reflecting a growing interest in contemporary design. For 2025, siding experts see that trend continuing, and 麻豆传媒 dealers should expect product demand for those darker colors to increase. 鈥淒ark colors like black and deep grays and blues continue to gain popularity as bold, modern siding choices,鈥� says Abby Huebner, vinyl siding product manager for ProVia. 鈥淗owever, we expect timeless classics鈥攕uch as white, tan, and light gray鈥攖o remain top picks among homeowners and builders alike. This blend of trending tones and enduring favorites reflects a market that values both contemporary style and traditional appeal.鈥�
Chris (CJ) Johnson, director of product and marketing for siding at Westlake Royal Building Products, agrees with that assessment. 鈥淲hile bright whites and contrasting black trims dominated the market in recent years,鈥� he says, 鈥渨e鈥檙e now seeing a noticeable shift toward darker blues, grays and weathered neutrals that bring sophistication and depth to a home鈥檚 exterior. These hues complement a range of architectural styles and regional aesthetics, making them versatile choices for remodelers and builders alike.鈥�
鈥淲e鈥檙e also seeing a rise in homeowners embracing bold accent colors to personalize their spaces, whether it鈥檚 through vibrant entryways, gables or mixed-material facades,鈥� he continues. 鈥淎nd as biophilic design continues to influence exteriors, the concept of 鈥榞reen drenching,鈥� which layers natural greenery and earthy textures, is also becoming more popular. This trend ties into the broader movement of designing homes that foster well-being and connect more deeply to nature.鈥�
This trend towards dramatic use of color is part of an overall shift toward more modern aesthetics, especially with darker color palettes gaining popularity, explains 狈别飞罢别肠丑奥辞辞诲鈥檚
Lam. 鈥淒eeper tones bring a rich, bold look that consumers are gravitating toward. For example, our Indian Ebony color has become a standout choice among homeowners, thanks to its ability to complement and enhance other building materials. This demand for darker, contemporary finishes is a clear direction the market is moving toward.鈥�
Mix and match textures and profiles
In today鈥檚 market, the days of bland lap siding are a thing of the past. Homeowners today are more design savvy, and when it comes to the exterior of their homes, they鈥檙e looking for combinations of profiles and textures to create truly distinctive exteriors that stand apart.
鈥淥ne of the most prominent trends heading into 2025 is the mixing and matching of siding
styles and sizes to bring depth, dimension and visual contrast to the facade,鈥� explains Westlake Royal Building Products鈥� Johnson. 鈥淐ombining siding profiles like classic board and batten with textured shakes, or integrating stone veneer accents, allows builders and remodelers to highlight architectural features and break up wall planes with purpose. This approach not only delivers eye-catching curb appeal but also provides greater flexibility to meet individual homeowner tastes. To support this trend, Westlake Royal continues to expand its product offerings, including next-generation Board & Batten panels for Royal and Exterior Portfolio, and new color options across Royal, Exterior Portfolio and Versetta Stone.鈥�
Tess Sarich, marketing communications manager for Woodtone, also sees a growing interest in a multi-textured approach for siding. 鈥淰ertical siding continues to gain momentum as a sought-after aesthetic, often paired with warm, neutral color palettes that bring a natural, modern feel to the exterior,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e鈥檙e also seeing strong demand for multi-textural finishes鈥攖hink wood grain lap siding complemented by solid color panels for added depth and contrast. On the installation side, clean-finish techniques like blind nailing and metal channel strips remain popular, offering a sleek, contemporary look that aligns with today鈥檚 design preferences.鈥�听
Getting back to nature
As mentioned earlier, the principles of biophilic design are having an impact that goes beyond mere color as far as what siding products consumers are choosing. If you鈥檙e not familiar with the term, biophilic design is a concept used within the building industry that strives to increase the connectivity of a building鈥檚 occupants to the natural environment through the use of direct nature, indirect nature, color, texture, material choice, and space and place conditions.
鈥淚n 2025, earthy, natural-toned siding will be top of homeowner wish lists. These wellness- focused tones, paired with biophilic materials, reflect a growing desire for living spaces that foster personal wellbeing,鈥� points out Modern Mill鈥檚 Guimond. 鈥淪ustainability remains a core driver of product choice, with increasing demand for tree-free, low-maintenance materials that are made in the USA and support a reduced environmental footprint. For 麻豆传媒 dealers, offering products that align with these values and continue to deliver on the enduring demand for beauty and easy upkeep, will be essential to meeting customer expectations in the year ahead.鈥�
Siding manufacturers report seeing a growing preference for more traditional styles with natural wood becoming more desirable across regions and designs. 鈥淲armth and organic textures have been on the rise for the past few years as wellness and comfort in our physical surroundings has become more important,鈥� explains Demetri Kotiadis, director of marketing and product development for Edge. 鈥淟ap, vertical, and shakes are the preferred profiles with neutrals like white, grey, and black being some of the most popular color choices, most commonly complemented with either white or black trim.鈥�
Westlake Royal鈥檚 Johnson also sees growing interest in the natural on the part of the consumer. 鈥淏iophilic design also continues to drive demand for natural stained wood looks, and products like Westlake Royal鈥檚 Cedar Renditions and Grove Collection meet this trend with modern performance.鈥�
Dealing with labor shortages
While siding manufacturers envision growth over the coming year, that growth doesn鈥檛 come without challenges. For example, the persistent problem of labor shortages will continue to be an obstacle for 麻豆传媒 dealers鈥� pro customers, and siding products that can help alleviate that challenge will be in high demand.
To that end, siding manufacturers have recommendations for 麻豆传媒 dealers. 鈥淥ne concern facing single family and multi-family construction in 2025 is availability of well-trained professional trade workers,鈥� says Trevor Baggett, senior category manager for siding and trim at BlueLinx. 鈥淲hen it comes to installing and finishing exterior siding, prefinished options help mitigate the availability of painters; especially when deep colors are specified.鈥�
ProVia鈥檚 Huebner also sees labor shortages as being an obstacle to overcome, and has her own specific recommendations. 鈥淎lthough material prices have come down since peak 2022/23 levels, labor shortages and cost may deter projects for the remainder of 2025.听We鈥檙e excited to share a series of improvements to our Harbor Mill product line, designed specifically to make installation easier and more efficient for contractors and installers in the field,鈥� she explains. 鈥淲e鈥檝e introduced updates aimed at reducing installer frustration and cutting down on installation time鈥攈elping crews work smarter and faster. The panels include built-in drop guards, stagger marks, continuous and seam locks, and updated spacing indicators that make it easy to position and fasten.鈥�
Westlake Royal Building Products鈥� Booz recommends products that are easy and quick to install. 鈥淭he construction industry today is also facing an ongoing labor shortage, driven by a wave of retirements and a lack of enough younger workers entering the trades,鈥� he explains. 鈥淎s a result, builders and remodelers are prioritizing materials that are not only high-performing but also quick and simple to install. Westlake Royal鈥檚 Versetta Stone is a great example of a solution that reduces labor time and complexity on the jobsite. Now available in three new colors, it delivers the aesthetic of traditional stone masonry without the need for mortar or specialized masonry skills. The panelized system features an integrated nailing fin and interlocking design, allowing installers to attach the lightweight panels with just nails or screws. This straightforward process helps crews work faster, stay on schedule and achieve consistent results.鈥�
Edge鈥檚 Kotiadis also sees ease and speed of installation as key product differentiators to meet pro customers鈥� needs. 鈥淲e design our siding products to have a high-quality finish with reduced installation and waiting times to help builders manage everything that goes into a project,鈥� he points out. 鈥淎ll Edge siding products are end-matched, which allows for easier and quicker installation onsite with a simpler furring solution required to complete the project versus traditional siding profiles. We also offer many of our siding products prefinished with factory-applied two-tone finishes, which are challenging to replicate onsite and reduce a project鈥檚 time as the siding does not need to be field finished, meaning both time savings and added value.鈥�
Prefinished products is also a recommendation from both BlueLinx鈥檚 Baggett and Woodtone鈥檚 Sarich. 鈥淭he continued evolution of prefinished siding is gaining traction due to labor challenges, instant curb appeal, and a higher quality finish that exceeds what can be achieved on the jobsite,鈥� says Baggett, while Sarich explains, 鈥淚n 2025, builders are navigating tighter timelines, labor shortages, and the growing demand for dependable, high-performance materials. What they need most is reliability鈥攁nd that鈥檚 where we come in. With over 45 years of expertise in prefinishing and coating, we deliver consistent, quality-driven solutions that help simplify the build process without compromising on design.鈥�
Coping with rising costs
One other challenge for both 麻豆传媒 dealers and their pro customers is rising costs. With tariffs still dominating headlines, material costs can change on a daily basis, and 麻豆传媒 dealers need to be able to offset that instability. Siding manufacturers point to product features as providing such solutions that 麻豆传媒 dealers can offer to their customers.
鈥淏uilders can expect to face challenges like rising material costs and supply chain disruptions due to international tariffs in 2025,鈥� says Modern Mill鈥檚 Guimond. 鈥淥pting for innovative wood alternatives unimpacted by these issues can enhance resilience. Modern Mill鈥檚 ACRE products, made and sourced in the USA, offer a tariff-resilient, sustainable alternative to traditional lumber for siding. Virtually identical to natural wood, ACRE is paintable, stainable, and offers the durability and low maintenance of composites.鈥�
鈥淎nother challenge builders are facing is rising labor costs from complex installation and job-site hassle,鈥� she continues. 鈥淎CRE addresses these by requiring no primer, is compatible with standard woodworking tools, and produces no harmful dust or breakage, eliminating PPE needs. Available in various profiles, ACRE ensures stability, helping builders navigate market volatility and boost job-site efficiency.鈥�
狈别飞罢别肠丑奥辞辞诲鈥檚 Lam also sees the continued rise in construction costs as a big challenge. 鈥淭o help address this, our products are engineered for efficiency. Our innovative installation clips and fastening methods reduce labor time significantly, allowing builders to complete projects faster and take on more jobs annually. By simplifying installation without sacrificing quality or aesthetics, we help builders stay competitive in an increasingly cost-conscious market.鈥�
While time moves forward, some things about siding remain the same: it鈥檚 expected to enhance curb appeal while also offering long-term durability and minimal upkeep. Today鈥檚 siding products deliver on those requirements, and offer benefits that, if leveraged properly, give 麻豆传媒 dealers the ability to provide their customers with products that meet modern demands while delivering design-forward materials that ease the continued strain of labor shortages and increased costs.
