Exterior Wood Cladding: Considerations and Design Ideas

When it comes to exterior siding, there are plenty of materials to choose from, such as metal, clay, slate, stone, and more. However, wood cladding has grown increasingly popular due to its natural beauty and timeless appeal. With evolving trends and innovations in wood treatments, homeowners now have even more options to incorporate wood into their home’s exterior.

Let’s explore six exciting wood cladding styles, as well as an alternative to natural wood that offers enhanced durability and low maintenance.

Unique Types of Wood Cladding Materials

There are several types of wood cladding gaining popularity, offering unique colors and grains. Some of the top choices include:

  • Western Red Cedar: A lightweight wood that comes in red, pink, and dark brown hues. Naturally decay-resistant, it’s ideal for exterior cladding.

  • Siberian Larch: A durable softwood available in pale yellow to medium brown tones with a fine texture and strong grain.

  • Alaskan Yellow Cedar: Pale yellow or white, this wood is resilient and takes finishes well, making it versatile for color customization.

  • Douglas Fir: Known for its light brown and red undertones, Douglas Fir features a wild grain and excellent decay resistance.

  • European Oak: This golden-brown hardwood has a coarse texture and is perfect for longer-length boards.

  • Thermo-Pine: Heat-treated pine that is rot-resistant, Thermo-Pine comes in mid- to dark-brown shades with a straight grain.

A Better Alternative to Real Wood

While natural wood offers beauty, it often requires constant maintenance. CeDUR’s synthetic cedar shakes provide the same stunning look as real cedar but with significant benefits. Made from durable, low-maintenance materials, these shakes are resistant to decay, moisture, fire, and other natural deteriorating factors.

Available in various colors, CeDUR shakes are perfect for homeowners seeking a long-lasting, hassle-free solution that mimics the aesthetic appeal of real wood.

6 Exterior Wood Cladding Ideas to Consider

Take a look at these design ideas for inspiration.

1. Walden Shakes

Synthetic wood shakes for cladding.

Many envision warm colors when they think of wood cladding, but synthetic cedar shakes from CeDUR shake come in a variety of different colors to suit any aesthetic preference. For example, if you want a darker, colder look, Walden shakes are perfect for the occasion. They pair especially well with cloudy climates or darker landscapes.

2. Uniform Shiloh Shakes

CeDUR shakes used for exterior home siding.

While Shiloh shakes from CeDUR are often used as either roofing or siding, you can use this wood cladding to create a uniform look from top to bottom. 

Covering your whole house with dark shakes while pairing them with big open glass windows creates a uniquely appealing aesthetic that contrasts light colored frames and crystal clear bay windows with the dark roofing and siding. Pair with bright green for bonus points.

3. Golden Cedar Shakes with Curved Roof Lines and Towers

Synthetic cedar shakes used on a round exterior design.

Another unique wood cladding style is to pair golden cedar shakes with curved roof lines and/or tower style construction. The bright golden sheen of these shakes complements the impressive architectural eccentricity in a way that is hard to forget.

4. Live Oak Siding with Shiloh Roof

Cedar shakes used as an accent on a home exterior.

One way to create an excellent color contrast between roof and siding is to use Shiloh shake for your roof and pair them with Live Oak shakes for siding. Live Oak is slightly dimmer than golden cedar, but still provides a nice warm tone that pairs expertly with a darker tone like Shiloh. Together, they complement white roof edges and window frames expertly.

5. Golden Cedar with Asphalt Roofing

An exterior wood cladding idea with synthetic cedar shakes.

Golden Cedar often works well when paired with a darker color. Asphalt roofing is black, which provides the sharpest color contrast you can find. Here we see the entire exterior, including chimney and balcony, clad in Golden Cedar while the black asphalt roof and bright white window frames offer a dazzling combination of aesthetic appeal.

6. Live Oak with Trees Incorporated

Synthetic shakes used to complete a home design.

Nothing goes well with a treehouse like Live Oak exterior cladding. Allowing your home to appear as an extension of the trees that serve as foundational pillars, Live Oak makes the perfect exterior finish for any home built on top of standing cut-trees.

Why CeDUR Shakes Are the Superior Choice

While natural wood cladding can be beautiful, it also requires regular maintenance to prevent decay, warping, and insect damage. CeDUR’s synthetic cedar shakes offer a superior alternative, combining the charm of real wood with long-lasting durability. With a variety of colors to choose from, CeDUR shakes are designed to meet the aesthetic needs of any home while being low-maintenance and cost-effective.

Upgrade Your Home’s Exterior with CeDUR

Ready to elevate your home’s exterior with durable, beautiful cladding? CeDUR shakes offer the perfect blend of style, longevity, and easy maintenance. 

Contact us today to explore our range of colors and designs, and see how CeDUR can transform your home’s look with premium synthetic shakes.