Choosing the right black siding for your house is like finding the perfect little black dress: it’s all about the fit. From sleek and simple to bold and eye-catching, making a smart siding material choice makes all the difference in how well your siding vision will turn out and how long it will last. Let's look at some of the top performers to consider.
Shou Sugi Ban
Shou Sugi Ban is a black house exterior siding idea that has gained popularity lately. Charring wood to make it black is an ancient Japanese technique. Shou Sugi Ban siding is a unique and beautiful way to add character to your home.
Shou Sugi Ban siding colors can vary but usually have light and dark areas, and a charred texture (below). Admirers of the Shou Sugi Ban technique expect this, but it can be messy and high maintenance.
"While shou sugi ban originated in Japan in the 18th century primarily as way to treat cedar siding to make it weatherproof, the technique—which involves charring a wood surface to render it a deep charcoal-black—has caught on recently as a treatment for contemporary exteriors and indoor furnishings alike."
- "Use This Incredible Technique to Waterproof Furniture" - Architectural Digest
The Shou Sugi Ban method is traditionally done on cedar. It can be done on other softwoods, but the effect will differ widely depending on the wood type.
One upside: When correctly and regularly maintained, Shou Sugi Ban wood can last decades.
The downside: The maintenance time and labor costs are high. Shou Sugi Ban requires frequent sealing to protect the charred finish from flaking off over time.
In addition, it can be more expensive and more difficult to install. Charred wood and the dust from it can come off during handling and get indoors, in the air, and tracked to other areas. Think about a charred log from a fireplace: it leaves soot and pieces behind when it is moved. Charred wood can also fade over time from wear and be difficult to repair.
For those who want a deeper color without the mess, ThermaWood Hem-Fir is a smart alternative. This heat-treated Hemlock and Fir gives you similar color and look, but without the added cost.
Benefits of ThermWood Hem-Fir:
Thermal modification uses heat and steam inside a pressure kiln, making it more durable than kiln-dried wood.
The process also increases resistance to insect damage and moisture damage.
The stability and durability of the wood increases compared to non-modified wood. This will avoid warping, splitting, and checking.
ThermaWood Hem-Fir is an environmentally friendly, sustainably harvested option using real wood, no chemicals, or additives, and does not require wood burning.
Thermally modified woods have a naturally heat darkened color. It giving an aesthetic like Shou Sugi Ban, but simpler to take care of and restore.
Thermally Modified Hem-Fir compares positively with many of the strengths found in exotic hardwoods.
Thermally Modified Wood Siding can be painted or stained.
Thermawood Hem-Fir offers another benefit. It can be finished with oil-based paints and stains in a variety of colors, including black.
Or use just an oil-based UV protectant to give a clear finish to the darkened wood tones, while protecting against weathering.
For all the reasons listed above, Thermawood Hem-Fir is regarded as a beautiful, strong, long-lasting siding material that saves you time and money over its lifetime.
RELATED: See The ThermaWood Hem-Fir Siding Project Photo Gallery
Modern siding can be achieved with real wood siding like ThermaWood Hem-Fir. But it can also be achieved with a low maintenance wood-look siding that offers finished well-suited to modern architecture.
Pura NFC Siding is particularly suited to dark siding designs. Pura Slate Ebony Wood Décor or Lumen Decors in Metropolitan Black and New York Grey provide a very low-maintenance, classic look, are extremely fade resistant, and can be used in a variety of home styles.
Trespa puts their Pura NFC material through tough lab testing to prove its promised quality. Testing covers everything from resistance to everyday scratching all the way to hurricane-force winds. This ensures your siding will be vibrant and rich in color, keep its gloss finish, and not dull for decades.
Pura Wood Decors have deep, consistent, realistic colors and wood grain patterns. That authentic wood-look finish takes your black siding project up a notch, adding luxurious aesthetics.
Pura Lumen Decors are matte masterpieces offering an elegant, light-diffusing matte finish.
Pura Lumen in Metropolitan Black has a light diffusing matte finish
The advantages of black or gray siding from Pura NFC are:
RELATED: See the Pura NFC Siding Picture Gallery
If you aren't sure you want an entire black exterior but love the look, you have options.
Use black as an accent in your siding to highlight details like soffits or around an entrance.
For a bolder look, contrast black siding with another wood color, with stone, or with brick. Using a two-tone or mixed material approach is an excellent way to create interest and take advantage of the black siding trend without the full commitment.
Just like the little black dress, accessorize your siding!
This technique works with traditional and modern architectural styles. Consider using black trim around your doorways and windows, regardless of your siding color choice. Adding black makes a bold statement, enhancing the overall appeal.
Like many home improvement decisions, you may be weighing the pros and cons:
Not all black siding material is created equal. You may have concerns about heat absorption and color fading.
And it's true, black siding can get too hot and fade too quickly. In fact, this is why vinyl siding manufacturers avoid using black colors. The heat can cause the vinyl siding to warp and the sun's rays can damage it.
Have no fear, the black siding option we've discussed so far are proven to perform admirably under these conditions.
Does black siding fade?
Black Siding is Amazing, Faded siding is depressing
When it comes to matte siding especially, a big worry for homeowners is colorfastness. Many black siding materials will fade and "ugly out" faster than lighter colors. On areas with more or less sun exposure, it can even become "patchy."
Solutions:
ThermaWood Hem-Fir, when left natural, can be protected from fading to a weathered silver-gray with an oil-based UV protectant as needed.
If painted or stained, ThermaWood can be refinished as needed to keep the color fresh.
There isn't much that can be done to prevent dark colored siding from absorbing heat. But, you can use this to your advantage.
Solution:
Rainscreens aren't just for rain. When designed properly, they can help mightily in hot weather, too. This is a healthy way to protect and increase the lifespan of your siding project.
By installing the siding with a back ventilated rainscreen system, you can allow the heat from the siding to escape by ventilating it through the rainscreen gap behind it. This can even help increase the energy efficiency of the interior.
A quality rainscreen is also designed to prevent moisture from becoming trapped behind your siding. A big advantage is that it prevents rot and mold problems from starting against your building envelope.
Related: Rainscreen Siding Design Picture Gallery
As you can see, with excellent siding material options to choose from you can recreate the trending black siding designs you want featured on your home, your way.
Feel free to contact us for more information, with questions, for siding samples, or to price your project. We’re here to help get you started.