The Best Siding Options for Cold, Snowy, and Fire-Prone Climates

The best siding to use depends on several factors. Sometimes a mix of two achieves the outcome we're looking for!

When it comes to choosing the right siding for your home, most of us are thinking about curb appeal, but here in Star Valley, Wyoming, winter (and spring) storms, heavy snow, ice buildup, and even wildfire risks are part of life. Your siding needs to be tough, durable, low-maintenance, and resilient in all four seasons.

I’ve worked with almost every siding material on the market. Here's a breakdown of the best siding options for cold, snowy, and fire-prone climates —along with the pros and cons of each.

What to Look for in Cold-Climate Siding

Before we get into specific products, here's what siding must handle in snowy, icy, and fire-risk areas:

• Freeze-thaw cycles (expanding and contracting without cracking)

• Heavy snow sitting against the structure

• Moisture resistance (no rotting, swelling, or mold growth)

• High wind performance

• Fire resistance where possible

• Low maintenance, because access is harder in winter

• Try to avoid vinyl. The low cost sounds great, but it doesn't hold up well in our climate

But first, lets talk about one of, if not the most important part of your exterior cladding - what's underneath.

I grew up in Coastal Georgia, where we get a LOT of rain. Water - whether it comes as rain, sleet, snow or ice - is the single most important element that we're trying to protect a home from. Almost every material we install on the exterior of a new home is trying its hardest to repel water and keep it from entering your home.

I don't need to get too deep into the effects of water on wood, but the single takeaway from this article is that your siding is the first defense your home has from keeping water OUT. It's that important. But there are two other important elements to a siding system that will ensure we're doing everything we can to keep water on the outside, where it belongs.

The first component I'll talk about is your weather-resistant barrier, or WRB.

If you've ever driven by a new home in the framing stage, you've seen house-wrap. It looks like paper that's wrapped around the home like a Christmas present. This is your weather-resistant barrier, or WRB. It performs two basic functions: it simultaneously breathes and repels water.

The most "standard" product I use is DuPont Weathermate Plus. Its a non-woven, plastic that hits the sweet spot between breatheability and water-resistance. It's a great option for budget and performance.

But there's been a ton of new products and science that have come into the market in the last 5-10 years that are really changing how we look at shedding water from the walls of your home.

Take a look at ZIP System and liquid applied membranes.

WRB's really need their own article, but so as not to take up too much time let's move on to rain screens.

Arguably just as important as your WRB is your rain screen system. The purpose of a rain screen is to put a gap between your WRB and your siding. If water were to EVER get behind your siding, the rain screen allows that water to drain and dry.

The most budget friendly, but more difficult to install correctly, option is 1" furring strips nailed on top of the WRB. The siding is then installed over the strips to ensure a gap between the WRB and your siding.

Take a look at rain screen mesh mats and vented furring strips for additional options.

In many places a rain screen is now a code requirement. Especially in Star Valley, Wyoming, its common sense. With a properly installed rain screen, you can extend the life of your siding up to 10 years. The small added cost of this component will pay dividends in home maintenance.

If you made it this far give yourself a pat on the back. All that info can be tedious to consume but it's just as important as the type of siding you choose. Lets look at 4 options.

Fiber Cement Siding

Possibly one of the most recognized types of siding. Fiber cement siding mixes concrete and cellulose fibers to create a durable, "hardy" siding option. Let's take a look at the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Extremely fire-resistant (non-combustible material)

• Highly durable against snow, ice, and wind

• Holds paint extremely well with proper priming

• Color options are literally endless

• Resistant to rot, pests, and moisture

• Very low maintenance once installed correctly

  
  

Cons:

• Heavier than other siding options (more labor-intensive to install)

• Needs specialized cutting tools (dust is hazardous)

• Can be brittle if mishandled during installation

• Will wear quickly if in direct contact with built-up snow and ice

• Slightly more expensive than wood or engineered wood

• Can fade in direct sunlight

  
  

Cold Climate Verdict:

• One of the better all-around materials for snow, ice, and fire resistance

• Well worth the upfront labor for its long lifespan

  
  

Engineered Wood Siding

Engineered wood products are quickly dominating the construction industry. Engineered wood is seen in load bearing posts and beams, in wall and floor sheathing, and in finished siding products. It consists of chips or strips of trees held together with resins and glues. It gives you the look and feel of wood without the tremendous waste that comes from traditional wood siding. Let's see the pros and cons:

Pros:

• Easier and faster to install than fiber cement

• Lighter weight than fiber cement siding

• Treated with resins and waxes for excellent moisture resistance

• Impact-resistant (good against hail and debris)

• Lower material and labor costs compared to fiber cement

• Comes in pre-finished color options, eliminating the cost of a painter

• Comes in a variety of different looks (ship-lap, traditional lap, board and batten, vertical oriented)

  
  

Cons:

• Not non-combustible (but still treated to be fire retardant)

• Must be installed correctly per manufacturers instructions (critical for moisture sealing)

• Requires careful maintenance on cuts and joints

• Will wear similarly to fiber cement if in direct contact to snow and ice build-up

• Can fade if in direct sunlight

  
  

Cold Climate Verdict:

• Fantastic option for durability and affordability

• Slightly more vulnerable to fire than fiber cement, but still strong for most Star Valley homes

  
  

Traditional Wood Siding (Cedar, thermally modified woods, etc.)

Traditional wood siding is beautiful and blends in fantastically with our mountain landscape. But that beauty commands a price tag. Fortunately, there are many grades of wood siding to choose from if you want a rustic look or a clean, modern look.

Thermally modified wood products are a subset of wood siding that is slowly starting to replace traditional cedar siding. The process to create these products means that they can use other, less expensive wood species to imitate the beloved properties of cedar. Pros and cons:

Pros:

• Natural, classic appearance

• Cedar and redwood naturally resist decay and insects

• Lighter and easier to work with for installers

• Biodegradable and renewable resource

• Can be milled into ANY shape and style

• Thermally modified woods strike a beautiful balance between looks, weather-resistance and budget

  
  

Cons:

• Not fire-resistant unless treated with specialized coatings

• High maintenance (needs regular staining or sealing)

• Prone to swelling, cracking, and rot in freeze-thaw cycles

• More expensive over time due to ongoing maintenance

• High material waste depending on the grade of wood used

  
  

Cold Climate Verdict:

• Beautiful but high-maintenance

• Requires upkeep to survive Star Valley winters without premature failure

  
  

Metal Siding (Steel or Aluminum Panels)

Metal is an extremely versatile building product. It comes in large rolls and can be bent and cut to any proportion and length conceivable. And its almost 100% waterproof when installed correctly. I really like using metal as a wainscot. Not only does it give your home some character, it protects the bottom of your home from snow and ice build-up.

On paper, it sounds perfect. But let's keep in mind there's pros and cons:

Pros:

• Extremely fire-resistant

• Outstanding snow and ice shedding properties (snow slides off easily)

• Highly durable against wind, hail, and debris

• Minimal maintenance required (doesn’t rot, warp, or swell)

• Modern, clean aesthetic

• Can be bent and cut to any length, meaning less labor cost on the install

• Comes in a variety of gauges to increase durability

  
  

Cons:

• More expensive upfront (especially standing seam steel)

• Can dent if struck hard enough (especially aluminum)

• Thermal movement (expansion/contraction) must be carefully engineered

• Louder during rain or hail if not installed with sound-dampening layers

• Any metal is a poor conductor of heat and cold which can increase heating and cooling costs

  
  

Cold Climate Verdict:

• Top-tier performance for both fire and snow durability

• Slightly higher upfront cost but very low maintenance over time

Because of the many siding options available, it's hard to know where to begin.

So, which siding type should you use? Well the answer is: it depends. Your best bet is to have a trusted siding contractor come and take a look at your project to give you the best recommendation.

It's not just about what looks good on day one—it's about what still looks good in ten years after the snow, ice, and wind have had their turn. The best siding options for cold, snowy, and fire-prone climates could be a mix of a couple different types.

If you're in the Star Valley, WY area, reach out to us. I can help answer any questions, walk your project and give you a recommendation. I'd love to work with you!