Transform Your Home With Vertical Siding: Ideas and Design Examples
By: Mackenzie
Transforming your exterior doesn’t have to be an all-encompassing task that leads to overhauling every aspect of your home. Sometimes, elevating your curb appeal starts with switching up the siding. Our designers know all of the best ways to tap into the potential of vertical siding. From creating illusions of added height to latching on to a more modern design style, here are some of our best ideas on how to elevate curb appeal with vertical siding.
Your home exterior is a canvas upon which you can express your unique design style and preferences. At brick&batten, our expert designers are here to help you fill your canvas and achieve your home design goals. Learn more about what we do.
#1 // Welcome more contrast
We admired the red brick on this traditional exterior, but the beige horizontal siding didn’t offer much contrast to the façade. Our designers wanted to emphasize colors, textures, and patterns that would derive more visual interest. Leaning into a classic aesthetic, we added a copper garage awning, copper lamp post, and gorgeous molding work around the lower level windows and front door.
Sticking with a classic color palette, we chose white vertical siding for the upper level, accentuated by black shutters. The vertical pattern of the siding plays off of the metal porch roof, which also showcases a vertical motif.
#2 // Add texture and depth
Ranch homes often feature horizontal siding, but we mixed things up for the one seen above. The existing exterior on this home was a bit one-note, and the client wanted something more daring and dynamic. Our designers transformed the façade with vertical siding rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Rock Bottom. We added more dimension with horizontal wood siding sections, creating a color blocked look.
The vertical design on the siding gives the illusion of more space between the ground and roofline, lifting the layout. Complementing the mixture of textures on the exterior, we filled in the yard with landscaping and hardscaping, using different stones and materials like iron and wood for the patio.
#3 // A brightened facelift
This home had a steep roof slanting over the porch that was a major focal point of the home. The faded red brick and slender white porch columns gave the exterior a dated appearance, inspiring this client to seek a brick&batten overhaul. Our first focus was opening up the entrance to make it stand out. We chose vertical siding to frame the entrance and implemented a portico to further draw the eye and break up the roofline.
We rendered the vertical vinyl siding in Benjamin Moore’s Chantilly Lace, brightening the aesthetic. Above the garage, we added dormer windows for some intrigue on the roof. We blanketed the dormers with the same vertical white siding as the exterior for a cohesive look.
#4 // Mix up patterns and materials
Traditionally speaking, a horizontal orientation is often what people think of when siding comes to mind. Our designers like to use vertical siding in unison with other textures, patterns, and materials to cultivate more intriguing exteriors.
We elevated this home’s curb appeal with some modern flare, replacing the horizontal siding on the upper level and entryway with a vertical option. Our designers also replaced the brick on the garage and right side of the house with vertical vinyl siding, making it the main cladding material and the element that anchors the design.
At brick&batten, we know how to combine cladding for a compelling look. To complement the siding, we used stone cladding and wood siding. The variety of textures is amplified by the impactful accents throughout the design, from the light fixtures and planters to the walkway pavers and landscaping.
#5 // Create the illusion of height
Vertical siding is a great way to infuse height into an exterior without making any drastic changes to the architecture. This traditional home had breathtaking structural elements, and the client wanted to keep the integrity intact. Creating a more open and welcoming entrance, we swapped the horizontal siding for vertical vinyl siding. We said goodbye to the dated beige and rendered the siding in Sherwin Williams’ Urbane Bronze — a warm greige shade that is one of our favorite hues to recommend.
If an entire exterior redesign isn’t on your radar and you’d rather stick to changing paint colors, check out our paint visualizer service!
#6 // Enhance the architecture
This client wanted to leave the existing stone on their exterior during the redesign process. Our designers highlighted the tall columns on the gabled end near the entrance with vertical siding. The vertical design enhances the height and visually stretches the left side of the home. With a warmer palette and more open layout, the exterior exudes a welcoming vibe, which is amplified by the outdoor seating area and flower bed.
#7 // Break up the horizontal elements
We appreciate a good mix of patterns. In the before photo shown above, we noticed plenty of horizontal elements from the pattern of the bricks and siding to the windows on the garage door.
Our designers created more of a balance between horizontal and vertical in the rendering. We stuck with horizontal windows on the garage door and limewashed the brick on the lower level for a refreshed look. Achieving some design variation, we used vertical siding for the upper level, giving the illusion of more space between the two rooflines.
#8 // Highlight symmetry
The symmetry in this home’s layout is nothing short of breathtaking. Our designers wanted to amplify the symmetrical elements, so we elevated the two gabled sections of the home that flank the entry space using vertical siding. The vertical pattern of the siding is complemented by the wood porch columns. We veered away from overdoing the cohesion, using horizontal siding on the remaining sections of the home.
#9 // A layered look
The space between vertical siding and a complementary cladding doesn’t always have to have a clear divide. There are no roofs, beams, or pieces of trim breaking up the space on this house, so we created our own layers. We used vertical siding panels (rendered in Sherwin Williams’ Naval) for most of the exterior. Adding contrast, we capped the façade with horizontal shake siding above the windows. The vertical panels stretch the already-tall space of the exterior, while the shake siding adds a subtle cap.
#10 // Accentuate the peaks
Vertical siding is ideal for enhancing peaks. Here, we used the siding as a contrasting texture alongside the brick on the rest of the exterior. In the before photo, the peaks also stood apart from the brick because they were covered in stucco. We chose to update them with vertical siding to accentuate the height of the gables and further emphasize them as an interesting architectural element.
#11 // Modernize the aesthetic
If you’re craving a modern update like this client, vertical siding should be on your radar. We reduced the stone cladding on the exterior and made white vertical vinyl siding the main material. The siding update gave way to other modern elements like the pavers, stairs, and the iron railing of the balcony.
Using vertical siding to update your exterior
The orientation of your siding can make all the difference. Whether you’re interested in highlighting an architectural element or you want to add more dimension to your façade, vertical siding has so much to offer. If you’re interested in seeing how a new type of siding can transform your home, partner with us so we can help!
Are you ready to chase down your design dreams? We’re here to help! Our designers will unlock your home’s full potential. Get started today!
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