Mixing Siding Styles: Best Combinations for a Beautiful Exterior

Choosing the right combination of siding styles and colors can transform your home's exterior. James Hardie offers a wide range of profiles, textures, and trim options, allowing homeowners to create a personalized, cohesive look for any home. Whether mixing plank lap with board and batten, incorporating shingle accents or modernizing with panels, understanding how different styles complement each other is key to achieving a polished aesthetic.

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN MIXING AND MATCHING PROFILES AND COLORS

When planning a mixed-siding exterior, it's essential to think about your home's architecture, color scheme, and existing materials. These elements will help you make informed decisions and create a balanced, visually appealing design.

House Style

Colonial homes traditionally feature plank lap siding, while mid-century modern homes often incorporate smooth panels. Understanding your home's architecture helps maintain its character while allowing for creative updates. If you're aiming for a wood siding aesthetic, consider incorporating cedar-look siding textures, such as Select Cerdarmill® to enhance the home's traditional appeal.

Color Combinations

Choosing the right combination of colors can significantly enhance your home's exterior appeal. If you want a bold and eye-catching look, consider using dark trim against lighter siding to create a strong contrast, such as using Iron Gray trim with Light Mist plank lap and Arctic White shingle.

On the other hand, if you prefer a softer, more understated effect, choosing different shades of the same color family can add depth and dimension without being too dramatic. Cobble Stone and Khaki Brown naturally work together and would pair well with a more exciting, and still neutral, Mountain Sage accent. A well-balanced color scheme helps ensure your home's exterior feels cohesive and visually appealing.

Existing Materials

If you're not replacing all exterior elements, consider new siding pairs with brick, stone, or stucco. Thoughtfully mixing materials can create an intentional, high-end aesthetic that enhances your home's overall appeal. For example, shake-like Hardie® Shingle siding combined with existing stone elements can create a rustic yet refined effect.

Accent Locations

Gables, second stories, and bump-out walls are ideal spots to introduce different textures or profiles for added visual interest. These locations provide opportunities to highlight architectural features while breaking up large expanses of siding.

Shingle accents work beautifully in gable areas to provide textural contrast. At the same time, board-and-batten siding, stone veneer, or decorative trim can add dimension to dormers, entryways and lower-level facades.

Trim Usage

Hardie® Trim Boards help define edges and transitions, adding depth and detail to mixed-siding designs. Using trim strategically can enhance contrast, emphasize design elements and provide a polished finish. Trim also complements wood-look siding by offering a crisp border that frames natural textures.

Hardie® Artisan® trim features 1.5-inch-thick boards, creating deep, sophisticated shadow lines, adding a polished look to your home’s exterior.

WHAT TO PAIR WITH A PLANK LAP DOMINANT HOME

Plank lap siding is a timeless and versatile option that pairs well with various styles and textures. Whether adding accents for visual contrast or enhancing details with trim, plank lap provides a strong foundation for exterior design.

Board and Batten

Introduce vertical Hardie® Panel Siding with batten boards for a farmhouse-inspired contrast. This combination adds dimension and a modern rustic touch while maintaining a balanced look. Choosing a Rustic Grain finish for the board and batten can enhance a traditional or farmhouse aesthetic.

For a more contemporary approach, consider using Smooth Grain board and batten as an accent on gable ends or entryway walls. This placement draws attention to architectural features while complementing the horizontal lines of plank lap siding. Opting for a monochromatic color scheme or a subtle contrast, such as Arctic White battens on a Pearl Gray panel, can create a clean, modern farmhouse aesthetic.

Shingles

Use Hardie® Shingle Siding on gables or dormers for added texture. This pairing works particularly well for traditional and Craftsman-style homes, adding depth without overwhelming the design. Opting for Staggered Edge-style shingles can provide a natural aesthetic with the durability of fiber cement.

Trim Accents

Hardie® Trim Boards in contrasting or complementary colors enhance edges and architectural details. Well-placed trim helps define the home's structure and creates a refined, cohesive appearance. Trim also helps to highlight wood siding elements, making them stand out against other materials.

Modern Touches

Incorporate Hardie® Architectural Panel Siding in Fine Sand for a contemporary feel without overwhelming the design. Combining classic and contemporary elements can modernize a traditional lap siding look. For example, pairing wood-look Hardie® plank in Select Cedarmill® with Fine Sand Hardie® Architectural panel siding can achieve a sleek, balanced design.

WHAT TO PAIR WITH A SHINGLE-DOMINANT HOME

Shingle siding is common in historic homes, cottages, and Victorian-style architecture. When pairing it with other siding profiles, focus on textures and colors that complement its unique character.

Plank Lap Siding

Try horizontally installed plank lap for lower stories, which allows shingle accents to shine above. This arrangement maintains balance and showcases the charm of shingle siding.

Board and Batten

A mix of shingles and vertical board-and-batten siding can create a charming, varied look. This pairing offers a mix of textures that work well for cottage-style and Victorian homes. Shingles paired with board-and-batten siding in a natural tone like Timber Bark can create a timeless aesthetic.

Color Play

Unlike other profiles, shingle-dominant homes often feature multiple colors to highlight architectural details. Mixing light and dark shades can create an eye-catching contrast while preserving the home's historical charm.

Trim and Decorative Elements

Wide trim boards and ornate details enhance the historical charm of shingle-clad homes. These features help maintain period accuracy and improve a home's visual interest. Smooth trim can also be used to create contrast with Staggered Edge shingles, making them stand out against other materials.

WHAT TO PAIR WITH A PANEL-DOMINANT HOME

Panel siding is often associated with modern and contemporary homes but can also be used to refresh traditional exteriors. Its clean lines and structured appearance make it an excellent choice for various design styles.

Board and Batten

Combining Hardie® Panel Siding with batten boards creates a striking, structured appearance. This look is popular in modern farmhouse and contemporary designs, offering a clean yet dynamic style. Opting for wood siding in a smooth, modern finish can soften the sharp lines of paneling.

Smooth Paneling

Smooth panels are ideal for modern homes. They offer clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic, providing a sleek, uncluttered look that works well in urban and high-end contemporary settings. Pairing wood-look Hardie® Artisan® Lap with smooth Hardie® Panel siding can create a balance between rustic and contemporary aesthetics.

Wood-look Paneling

Wood-look textures can be incorporated to mimic the appearance of natural wood without the maintenance concerns. Select Cedarmill® wide wood panel texture adds warmth, while Sierra 8 provides a narrower, more defined wood panel look. These textures add depth and character, making the home's exterior rich and inviting.

Traditional and Modern Mixes

Some profiles may not traditionally fit a home's style, but thoughtful combinations — like a mix of plank lap and smooth panels — can modernize a property without compromising its character. Consider working with your contractor to experiment with different styles while maintaining a cohesive aesthetic.

BRING YOUR DREAM TO LIFE WITH HIGH-QUALITY MATERIALS

Blending different siding styles allows you to enhance your exterior with distinct textures and colors, creating a cohesive yet visually striking design. While certain profiles are traditionally associated with specific home styles, getting professional advice can help you determine the best combination for your home.

Whether you're aiming for timeless elegance, a rustic farmhouse look or a sleek modern design, Hardie® siding products offer the durability and beauty to bring your vision to life.

NEED MORE INSPIRATION?

Choosing the right style and color can seem overwhelming, but with the right help and advice, there's no need to feel intimidated. Browse through this gallery of the most popular house colors to inspire your siding choices and help you figure out what styles and looks you like most.

If you’re struggling to decide which color palette will maximize your unique style, head over to the Hardie™ Designer, powered by Hover^®, to visualize the complete collection of Hardie^® sidings and color combinations.