Siding Styles for Victorian Homes

The Victorian Era, an architectural style that spanned 1840-1910 in America, celebrated newness and optimism. Mass production became possible during the industrial revolution.

Mass production of decorative shingles, gingerbread trim, brackets, and spindles made architectural accessories more accessible and affordable to the general public. The resulting architecture from the Victorian area experimented with blends of color and details. Gothic revival architecture predominated during the early Victorian Era. These homes feature steep gables and pointed windows. Queen Anne style homes (built between 1840 and 1910) are marked by elaborate decorative elements, such as gingerbread trim, front-facing gables, towers, spindles, brackets, and bay windows. Many also included wrap-around porches. Folk Victorian homes have many of the same elements as Queen Anne style homes, but the homes are more symmetrical and the style is more subdued.

Vinyl Siding Styles:

The choice of vinyl siding styles and trims for Victorian homes is extensive. Vinyl siding manufacturers offer products that blend with traditional architecture for renovations. For new construction, the Victorian style is reproducible with vinyl siding, trims, and accessories from several top vinyl siding manufacturers.

Vinyl Siding clapboard can be used for the main exterior cladding. Suitable vinyl siding styles for Victorian homes include 3′-8′ reveals, board and batten, beaded, and Dutchlap panels.  Siding on Victorian homes can include a combination of lap siding and decorative shingles.

Front-Facing Gables and Accent walls:

Many Victorian homes feature front-facing gables or other accent walls with decorative shakes and shingles. Scallops and half-round shingles, such as the Cedar Discovery line from Mastic Home Exteriors complement Victorian homes. (image above)

Gable Brackets and Trim:

Decorative gable brackets further accent the gingerbread house charm of Victorian siding styles. Folk style Victorian homes usually include decorative brackets under the eaves. Above, the top left and bottom right images show decorative brackets on gables. Trim board under the gable also adds detail, as pictured by the pink home on the bottom right.

Trim and Eaves:

Trim can accent Victorian siding styles and can help transition between accent walls and the main siding. Trim also highlights the structure of bay windows and gable roofs. Gable roofs on Victorian homes include eaves that wrap around the corners. They can even extend out to a full pigeon roof.

Colors:

Victorian homes are known for having an eclectic mix of siding styles and colors. Mastic vinyl siding colors are numerous. Mastic’s Color Advisor iPad app helps you choose coordinating colors and then allows you to view them on your home. Ply Gem trim boards and accessories complement Mastic vinyl siding. They hold paint much better than wood, especially in damp climates like Connecticut.

French Country Homes and Vinyl Siding Styles

French country homes combine elegant style with a rustic feel. French Country homes usually have more than one type of cladding. Going back to the provenance of this style, when homes in the French country required maintenance or remodeling, the owners used whatever materials were readily available. Over several generations, the result was a mixture of wood types, colors, and textures, along with stone and other building materials. The intermingling of rustic building materials is what French Country Style homes are known for. Another common feature of French Country homes is the arched dormer window.

Siding:

One of the characterizing features of French Country homes is a combination of several different types of cladding. The following shows eight basic types of siding:

Board and batten is one of the more rustic siding styles, making it a popular choice for French Country homes. Board and batten siding is a type of vertical siding with alternating wide and narrow panels. Vertical vinyl siding offers the same look as wood, without the maintenance.

Stone veneer, and several horizontal siding styles, combined with board and batten siding re-create the look of French country homes. Shakes are great for rustic horizontal siding styles. Cedar Discovery hand split shakes from Mastic have the rough texture and wood grain of real cedar. Mastic vinyl siding colors can include color variations and subtle shading to match naturally weathered cedar. Lap siding is another option for horizontal siding, but it should be combined with other, more rustic siding styles for an authentic look.

Trim:

Horizontal Trim boards separate the different siding styles on French Country homes. Trim is also common over arched windows, and is often finished with a keystone. Wide trims and mouldings are common on dormers.

Colors:

Warm Earth tones complement the siding styles of French Country homes. Some great Mastic vinyl siding colors for these homes are: Russet Red, Montana Suede, Deep Granite, Walnut, Terra Cotta, Misty shadow, and Red Cedar. Vinyl siding manufacturers offer so many colors, the decision can be difficult. Read about design software, and our design tips on selecting vinyl siding colors

Siding Styles for Colonial Revivals

Colonial Revivals are based on the architectural style of homes from 1700-1830, after the colonists declared independence from England. For this reason, colonial homes are associated with patriotism. These homes tend to have a rectangular, symmetrical fa’ade with dormers and gables. Other common features are bay windows and large porches.

Vinyl Siding Styles:

Colonial revivals usually feature horizontal lap siding. There are many options within this category, but most horizontal siding styles are appropriate. Traditional 3′ to 4′ lap siding provides the traditional look of colonial homes. Lap siding from quality vinyl siding manufacturers is as attractive as wood and more durable. Beaded siding (as seen in the image to the left) is another great choice for colonial revivals, especially down south. Mastic vinyl siding offers beaded siding styles with crisp clear shadow lines. Dutch lap siding is another option. Dutch lap panels overlap each other and have a flat face. The reveal line is narrower than other lap siding styles.

Colors:

White siding with black accents is the most common color sheme for Colonial revivals. There are several different shades of white you can choose from, and you don’t need to follow tradition exactly to achieve an authentic look. Shutters can add color while maintaining a traditional appearance. Another common selection for colonial revivals is farmhouse red, but again, experiment with different colors. Pops of color can make this elegant style more interesting.

Windows and Trim:

Windows often include shutters, decorative trim, and keystones. Arched trim and keystones accent Palladian arched windows as well. Dormers are another common feature of colonial revival homes. Detailed eaves wrap around the corners of dormers as seen in the image to the right.

Resorations, Remodels, and Additions:

Siding, trim, and accessories can be used to recreate the look of these three architectural styles, as well as many others. If you are steering away from vinyl siding because you are concerned that the style selection is limited, reconsider. Vinyl siding manufacturers create custom trim for restorations, and the siding styles and colors are extensive. There are many old homes in Connecticut and a lot of homeowners are afraid that no solutions exist for restoring the architectural details of their home. Luckily PVC trims are less expensive than wood, last longer, and can be custom routed and milled to meet your needs. For additions, consult our designers on how to blend the old with the new to maintain the authentic look of your home.