From the Blog

Best Siding Options for Central Ohio Homes

Published 2026 · By Brandon Poland, Owner

Article

Siding does two jobs at once in Central Ohio. It is the first thing that meets the freeze thaw, the wind driven rain, and the summer humidity, and it is the single biggest factor in how your whole house looks from the street. The right material protects the structure and holds its looks for decades. The wrong one fades, cracks, or rots and has you repainting every few years. Here are the siding options we install most across Columbus, and where each one fits.

1. Fiber Cement (Our Top Pick for Ohio)

Fiber cement, best known by the James Hardie name, is engineered for exactly the climate we have. It resists moisture, will not feed rot or pests, stands up to fire, and shrugs off the freeze thaw cycle that makes lesser siding brittle. Factory baked ColorPlus finishes hold their color far longer than field paint, so maintenance stays low.

  • Best for: homeowners who want a premium, long lasting exterior and low upkeep.
  • Watch for: it rewards precise, certified installation, so the installer matters as much as the board.

We are a James Hardie certified installer, which means we install it to the manufacturer spec and the warranty stays intact. See our James Hardie siding page for the details.

2. Insulated Vinyl

Modern insulated vinyl is a big step up from the thin, brittle panels of years past. A foam backing adds rigidity and a bit of energy efficiency, and the color runs through the material so scratches do not show. It is the value choice.

  • Best for: budget conscious projects that still want a clean, maintenance free look.
  • Watch for: lower grade vinyl can warp in heat and crack in deep cold, so grade matters.

3. Engineered Wood

Engineered wood siding gives you the warmth of real wood grain with far better resistance to rot and impact than natural cedar. It comes primed or prefinished and installs faster and lighter than fiber cement.

  • Best for: homeowners who love a wood look but do not want the upkeep of true wood.
  • Watch for: it still needs proper flashing and sealing to keep moisture out over the long haul.

4. LP and Composite Trim

Whatever the field material, the trim around windows, corners, and rooflines is where water finds its way in. Durable composite trim resists the rot that plagues old wood trim and finishes the job cleanly.

How to Choose for Your Home

Match the material to your priorities. If you want the longest life and the lowest maintenance, fiber cement is worth the premium. If first cost is the driver, a good insulated vinyl performs well. Whatever you pick, the installation is what makes it last, which is why we send our own licensed crews and never hand your home to unlicensed subcontractors.

On the older streets around Uptown Westerville near State Street, siding has to take a full Ohio year of freeze and thaw without looking out of place on a historic block, which is why we often steer those homes toward fiber cement.

Thinking about new siding? Professional Roofing Contractors is veteran owned and installs siding across Columbus and Central Ohio with our own licensed crews. Call (614) 927-8335 for a free inspection, or see our siding services.