Horizontal siding is perhaps the most common style. The siding consists of panels with interlocking flanges. At the top of the panels are strips that contractors nail to the wall. Horizontal siding provides a tidy profile that complements many house styles.

Horizontal panels are common for contemporary style homes because the clean lines complement the modern aesthetic. However, you can find horizontal panels covering historical homes because the siding offers such a neutral backdrop that it doesn't compete with the ornate trim typical in historical homes.

Horizontal panels can come in different profiles, especially if you choose wood or wood-look siding. One option is beaded siding, which features a deep V-shaped groove above a semi-circle, or bead. The groove creates a distinct shadow. You can use this siding style for contemporary and modern homes because the shadow emphasizes the lines in the panels.

Another option is tongue-and-groove siding. One side of the panel features a groove, while the other features a tongue that fits into the groove of the adjoining panel. The result is a rustic appearance that's typical of cabins or farmhouses.

Lap siding features a bottom edge that's thicker than the top edge. The bottom edge also overlaps the top edge of the next panel down. Like beaded siding, lap siding creates more of a shadow with its profile. Lap siding complements rustic or historical styles.

Dutch lap siding adds a more three-dimensional look because the top of the panel juts out from the nail strip before smoothing out for the face of the panel. Dutch lap siding is especially attractive on ranch, saltbox, and Dutch colonial houses.

Vertical siding panels are similar to horizontal in basic construction, meaning they feature the same interlocking flanges and nail panels. However, the panels are designed for vertical installation.

As Modernize points out, vertical siding offers an unconventional look. The vertical lines can elongate the façade of the house. The effect is subtle but distinct. Standard vertical siding works well with the more contemporary style of houses, especially modern houses. However, you can use vertical siding to create distinction in a ranch house.

Board and batten is another style of vertical siding. This style consists of wide boards with narrow strips, called battens, covering the seams. You can also get the construction reversed so that you have narrow boards with wide battens covering the seams. This style of siding is considered informal, so it's common for farmhouses. You could use it for visual interest in a ranch house, too.

Shakes are a style of wooden shingle that's been split from the log, leaving the surface rough and rustic. Cedar is the most common material for shakes, though vinyl and fiber cement do a good job or replicating the traditional wood. While you can use shake siding to add visual interest to any style of house, it's traditional for Cape Cod homes.

Scalloped siding panels feature curves at the bottom, a little like overlapping scales. Originally, shakes and scalloped siding consisted of wood, but you can now find them in vinyl, too. Scalloped siding is common for Victorian and Queen Anne-styled houses because the ornamentation matches those styles. Scalloped siding is often used as a complement to horizontal or shake siding rather than as a cover for the whole house.

Choose a siding style that complements the style of your house. When you're ready to have new siding installed, consult with the home improvement experts at Neville's Inc.