Types of Exterior Siding in Minnesota: What Fits Classic vs Modern Home

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Minnesota’s freeze-thaw cycles put real stress on a home’s exterior, which makes choosing the right type of exterior siding a decision worth getting right the first time. The look you want and the durability your house needs can come from the same core material. We help homeowners across the state match siding profiles to their home’s design, whether the goal is a timeless classic finish or something more contemporary.

Classic Versus Modern Siding Styles

The design of your home should guide your siding choice. One reason we work with James Hardie is the range of products available, including shakes, board and batten, lap siding, and the full set of trims a complete project requires. That variety lets us deliver the right finish for nearly any style of home.

The Traditional Lap Siding Look

For a classic home, we typically install a six- or seven-inch lap. We pair it with six-inch corner boards and four-inch trim outlines around the windows. That combination creates the classic Minnesota look many homeowners recognize and love.

We also replace a lot of older cedar siding across the state. In many cases, owners like the way their house already looks and simply want to duplicate it. When that happens, we recreate the original profile and trim package so the new siding matches what was there before.

Pro Tip: If you are replacing cedar, take photos of your current trim widths before removal. It helps us match the original proportions exactly.

Modern Profiles and Alternating Laps

Contemporary homes open up more creative options. James Hardie profiles let us build clean, current patterns with a custom feel. One example we have installed is an alternating lap, where two four-inch laps are followed by a seven-inch lap, and that sequence repeats up the wall.

For these designs, we use metal corners rather than a traditional corner post, which gives the exterior a cleaner, sharper edge.

Need expert help choosing the right siding for your home? Contact Craftsman’s Choice for a free consultation.

Matching the Right Type of Exterior Siding to Your Home

The right finish should reflect both your taste and our climate’s demands. We walk each homeowner through the options so the result fits the house and holds up to Minnesota weather.

Wood Accents and Contemporary Details

Adding warmth to a modern facade is easy with the right accents. Around an entry door, we might install shiplap or nickel gap cedar for texture. James Hardie also offers a product called Timberhue, a fiber cement siding finished with a stain that delivers a wood look without the upkeep of real wood.

We can also install panel sections framed with metal trims. These let us create bold, distinctive designs for owners who want something unexpected.

Key Takeaway: Wood-look accents give you modern style while fiber cement keeps maintenance low.

Choosing a Type of Exterior Siding that Lasts

Working with a manufacturer like James Hardie, which has invested in varied profiles and selections, lets us give homeowners the look they want from one dependable product. Every profile and trim is built on the same fiber cement core, so the design changes while the performance stays the same.

Here is what that consistency delivers:

  • Design flexibility across classic and modern homes
  • Proven durability built for our harsh Minnesota climate
  • A unified core material behind every profile and trim

Ready to Update Your Home’s Exterior?

We bring experience, craftsmanship, and trusted products to every project. Whether your home leans traditional or modern, our team will help you choose with confidence and install it to last.

Call us or schedule your free quote today, and let our experts help you select the perfect type of exterior siding for your Minnesota home.

Ben Juncker

Author

When Ben Juncker was sitting in his high school career planning class, siding installer was not on his list of potential career paths. As with most people in the construction industry, certain questionable life choices led to a point where they were wearing a tool belt, working with their hands. His path started just this way and he would not change a thing. Those early years in his business of scraping and clawing their way to profitability and stability, have helped him to build a culture of hard work and perseverance at Craftsman’s Choice. Ben started his company in 1998 and they installed their first James Hardie job in 2000. Since that time Craftsman’s Choice has become one of the nation’s top James Hardie Remodelers. They have won James Hardie’s prestigious President’s Club award every year since it’s inception in 2015.