Wood has a classic look that has popular siding styles like board and batten prominently featured in neighborhoods across the US. Unfortunately, wood siding can come with problems that make it not the easiest material to work with, and also requires more maintenance compared to other siding materials.
When you want the look of wood but don’t want to worry about potential termite damage or warping, consider an alternative siding option: metal siding. While there are several building materials that are now made to look like wood, such as aluminum or vinyl siding, steel siding brings significant value by being the most durable and long lasting siding material that replicates the look of wood.
At Western States Metal Roofing, we manufacture metal siding panels that are designed to look like wood in 3 unique design options including distressed wood®, walnut wood, and burnt wood®.
We go over the advantages of using metal siding over authentic wood and the cost of metal panels that look like wood to help you decide if using metal for siding is right for your project.
Metal is a “set it and forget it” type of siding material. While natural wood siding will require cleaning and staining to keep up its appearance, steel siding requires very little attention after installation.
Metal does not rot, unlike wood. It also will not grow mold or mildew.
Metal panels have a Class A Fire Rating, making it one of the most non-combustible building materials. While adding flame retardants to wood surfaces can slow the spread of flames, wood siding does not have the same level of fire resistance as metal.
Termites cannot penetrate metal so there is no need to worry about any infestations in your siding. On the other hand, termites target cellulose, which is what wood is made of, as a main food source. Having wood siding puts you at an elevated risk for termite damage.
Another big issue with wood is wood warping. Wood warping is when wood changes shape unevenly as a result of moisture. Aside from making the siding look uneven, wood warping can also result in the siding to deteriorate and need to be replaced. Metal siding is not affected by this.
While traditional wood panels do not come with any warranties, metal siding comes with a 40-year limited paint warranty.
Even though the price of both metal and wood regularly fluctuate due to factors like supply and demand, metal is still less expensive than real wood siding.
Traditional wood siding can cost twice as much as metal siding. Even using reclaimed wood, or wood that has been previously used, is more expensive than new metal siding.
T-8 PlankWall and Metal Board and Batten are two types of metal panels that look like wood. Both panels can be installed vertically or horizontally. They are available in colors that look like wood or standard colors such as white, black, gray, etc.
These panels have the look of a wood board and batten siding, but are made from metal. You get all of the benefits of metal without all of the problems of wood. This type of siding panel is popular with a modern farmhouse style house.
These panels are designed to look like wood planks. The panels interlock and the screws are concealed giving this panel a clean appearance. It can be painted in any of our 8 wood colors or any of our standard colors.
T-8 PlankWall and Metal Board and Batten panels have prices that range from $8.00-$11.00 per square foot for material only.
The price of wood siding ranges from $4.00- $16.00 per square foot. The larger range is due to a wide price difference between the different types of wood. For example, fir is more of an economical type of natural wood while redwood siding can run up to $15 per square foot.
Not only is metal more affordable than wood, it's also more economical than other types of siding materials that are made to look like wood.
|
Material |
Cost |
|
Metal That Looks Like Wood |
$7.00-$11.00 per square foot |
|
Alumaboard Aluminum Panels |
$7.00- $8.00 per linear foot |
|
Hardie Board Fiber Cement Panels |
$6.50-$12.50 per square foot installed |
Aluminum siding, such as Alumaboard, runs approximately $7- $8 per linear foot.
Fiber cement siding, such as Hardie Board, costs anywhere from $6.50-$12.50 per square foot installed.
The metal board and batten panels are available in over 100 colors including all of you standard colors like gray, white, tan, etc. Both T-8 PlankWall® and metal board and batten panels are available in a variety of colors that look like various types of real wood colors.
Traditional board and batten colors are normally painted in standard colors such as white, gray, brow, tan, etc. In addition, it's available in painted products that look like different types of wood. These painted panels are metal, but replicate the look of wood. All of those colors are listed below.
The Distressed Wood Series® is designed to mimic reclaimed wood. The panel is designed with four distressed wood® patterns, each grain pattern replicates wood lines from different wood types.
Gray Wood is designed to look like wood that's had a previous life as a barn along the coast. The wood is decades old and has weathered gray. These panels feature four different wood grain patterns that are slightly different, but will blend in well together. This makes the metal authentic looking and prevents a repetitive aesthetic.
Aged Wood is designed to look like an old reclaimed wood that was installed decades ago. It has white paint that's peeling and it has a distressed antique look. Aged Wood metal siding panels consists of four different patterns. These patterns blend well together to prevent a repetitive aesthetic.
Maple Wood is a light and creamy looking color that has a smooth grain color. Light wood colored metal panels are architecturally on trend as they give you a modern look. Maple Wood metal siding panels consists of four different patterns. These patterns blend well together to prevent a repetitive aesthetic.
Rosewood is an authentic looking wood that has the deep hues of a mahogany and the lighter hues of a cedar. It's a medium colored wood that will look excellent on your project. Rosewood metal siding panels consists of four different patterns. These patterns blend well together to prevent a repetitive aesthetic.
Walnut Wood is a panel that is designed to replicate repurposed wood in a natural brown finish. Walnut Wood has some diversity to it. Similar to the Distressed Wood Series®, these panels feature four different patterns. These patterns blend well together to prevent a repetitive aesthetic.
Black Wood is a gorgeous color that has a matte black appearance with hints of white mixed in. Black Wood metal siding panels consists of four different patterns. These patterns blend well together to prevent a repetitive aesthetic.
Burnt Wood® is a siding panel that is designed to replicate the rich, charred wood appearance of the Shou Sugi Ban. Using this metal panel enables you to achieve the strikingly dark aesthetic of burnt wood® without having to do the time consuming, potentially hazardous wood preserving process involved with Shou Sugi Ban. In addition to T-8 PlankWall®, Burnt Wood® is also available in a variety of exposed and concealed fastener metal siding panels.
When looking to incorporate a wood look into the exterior siding design of your house or building without having to deal with the maintenance of wood, T-8 PlankWall® metal siding that looks like wood is a great solution.
In addition to siding, T-8 PlankWall® can be used for other applications including:
Continue on to learn more about T-8 PlankWall® panels including product specifications and installation information.