How to Choose the Right Siding for Minnesota Weather Conditions

Minnesotan homeowners see it all from January to December—heavy snowfall, bitter cold and wind, tornadoes, hail damage, and extreme temperatures and humidity levels on both ends. Discoloration, moisture absorption (or conversely, drying & cracking), warping, insect intrusion—these are all distinct possibilities in our brutal climate.

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It goes without saying, but choosing the best siding for a Minnesota home is so crucial because it serves as a barrier against these conditions. You need something that meets your lifestyle, aesthetic, and budget. We’re here to help you consider every factor and make a confident decision.

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Material

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The most common types of siding in Minnesota are vinyl, wood, fiber cement (James Hardie), and steel, each with its own unique advantages and disadvantages.

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Vinyl siding is durable and low-maintenance, and comes in many styles and colors. While certain cheaper options are more prone to crack in extremely cold temperatures than other materials, our vinyl siding is engineered specifically with this in mind. It’s an affordable and versatile option – not the most rugged amongst many alternatives, but a great choice for the majority of homeowners.

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Steel is the strongest and most durable siding material, and with straight seams and clean edges, it has a very sleek and modern look. In extreme cases of neglect, rust is a possibility, but steel siding is almost maintenance-free, which makes it the perfect cabin or lake house siding option. Lastly, it’s a near-impenetrable temperature barrier, meaning consistently lower energy bills.

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Wood siding is a natural and attractive option, but it requires more maintenance and is more vulnerable to moisture damage. That’s why we recommend an option with the warmth and beauty of wood, but the durability and impact resistance of steel: LP Smartside, or engineered wood siding. LP Smartside can be painted any color, so it's the most stylistically versatile choice. Because their products also include different finishes, fascia, trim, shakes and vertical siding, LP Smartside works for almost any building style.

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Fiber cement siding (or James Hardie siding) installation is higher-cost, but the investment will pay off in insect, fungus and rot resistance, and water damage protection. Cement is an eco-friendly siding option that will withstand the ferocious temps and harsh winds of Minnesota winters. If you’re looking for the best of the best for our weather conditions—plus a unique look—this is the way to go. Keyprime’s James Hardie siding products come with a 30-year warranty.

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Other details to consider

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Insulation: Keyprime offers foam-backed insulated vinyl siding that provides an extra layer of protection against cold temperatures and wind. It helps to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer.

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Color: Your siding color is an important consideration for energy efficiency as well as appearance. Light-colored siding reflects the sun’s rays to help keep your home cool in the summer. Conversely, dark-colored siding absorbs heat, making winter warmth easier to achieve.

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Maintenance: Consider the amount of maintenance you're willing and able to perform on your siding over time. All of the Keyprime products we’ve covered require very little maintenance, but everything lasts longer with a little TLC. Cement or steel siding might be worth consideration if you’re not able to attend to your home’s exterior seasonally to look for obvious signs of damage.

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If the cost of re-siding is your biggest concern, our experienced Keyprime team will walk you through all your options without any pressure to buy. We’ve seen all situations, and want to help you make the smartest decision for your lifestyle, style, and budget. With professional installation and maximum warranties on all of our products, your home will be protected, whatever option you choose. 

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