Beach House Siding: The Best Material for Coastal Homes (2024)

The best siding materials for coastal homes are those that can withstand the unique challenges posed by the climate. Whether located near the Pacific coastline or the Gulf, beach houses need to be fully equipped to face the elements — that is, unless homeowners want to be dealing with constant maintenance and repair work.

Durability is clearly a necessity when it comes to beach house siding, but the best suited homes will be those that feature siding engineered to deal with other threats from the climate as well. Get familiar with the unique challenges that coastal homes face and learn why fiber cement siding is an excellent candidate for providing a steadfast, strong and stylish exterior for your beach house.

Coastal Homes Have Unique Needs

Every region has unique weather patterns that play a role in determining the best siding suited for that area. When it comes to homes built on or near the coast, the stakes become somewhat higher. Coastal zones are known for turbulent weather, including excessive heat and humidity which can lead to devastating corrosion on sub-par siding that is better suited inland.

Because of the challenging climate, the strength and longevity of house siding is even more important in these coastal areas. Take a look at some of the most threatening elements that can cause damage to beach house siding that is not intended for the coastline:

Humidity

Without a doubt, the best siding for oceanfront homes must be able to deal with consistent humidity. Moisture damage can be terribly expensive and exhausting to deal with. Any time that moisture builds up and lingers on the surface of the siding or underneath it, there can be an elevated threat of deterioration. Siding materials that are impermeable or designed to be water-resistant are better suited for high humidity areas.

Steer clear of wood, which can absorb excess moisture from the air and cause the siding to weaken and rot. Even moisture on the surface can lead to damage in the form of mold and mildew growth, which is common with vinyl siding and other plastic-based exteriors as well. Choosing a siding material that features a built-in rainscreen, such as our architectural wall panels, is highly recommended to help with water runoff and moisture management.

Wind

It is common for coastal homes to experience wind gusts and a consistent sea breeze, so the best siding material for beach houses needs to withstand strong winds. This is particularly relevant in the Gulf Coast and Atlantic Seaboard, hurricanes are not uncommon. Beach house siding must remain strong and stable — even in windy conditions.

Sun Exposure

Sun exposure is also quite common for beach houses because these regions typically lack tall, established trees that would otherwise provide shade. Prolonged sun exposure can cause extreme color fading, paint cracking and peeling on exterior siding that is not suited for the coastline. Though this may seem like a solely aesthetic issue, it can actually detract from the home value and the maintenance required to repaint the siding every few years can be quite costly.

Low-MaintenanceBeach House Siding Requirements

Many coastal homes are used as vacation units or only inhabited for part of the year. This means that homeowners should look for low-maintenance siding that can maintain its appearance in the off-season without much fuss. The appearance can be stylish and compliment the setting. With that said, even homeowners who are using the beach house as their primary residence can benefit from low-maintenance siding with a coastal aesthetic.

Fiber Cement is the Best Siding Material for Coastal Homes

For all these reasons and more, fiber cement is an excellent option for coastal homes. Crafted from a unique blend of sand, water, cement and cellulose fibers, fiber cement siding delivers the impeccable strength and durability needed to withstand the elements that are common on the coastline. With fiber cement siding outfitted on the beach house, homeowners won’t need to worry about the siding panels buckling, warping, sagging or rotting.

Plus, with the built-in rainscreen of our architectural wall panels, fiber cement siding is designed to manage moisture easily and is a great choice for beach homes that are used seasonally and for primary residences alike.

Nichiha’s Durability and Beauty is Ideal for Beach House siding

Blending durability and design, Nichiha offers a gorgeous selection of fiber cement siding materials that are excellent for coastal homes. Performance engineering reduces the risk of mold and moisture damage — which is a huge advantage for houses near the beach. Specifically designed to be low-maintenance and long-lasting, Nichiha siding has attractive styles and textures that can be used to create a range of beautiful coastal designs.

Ready to get the best siding for your beach home? Download our Custom Homes Lookbook to get started!