Siding Options To Enhance Your Craftsman Home

Upgrading The Siding On Your Craftsman Styled Home

Lifetime Remodeling Systems is Portland's Craftsman home siding replacement & renovation experts. We've been replacing siding, windows & roofing on craftsman homes in the Portland metro area for over 25 years. From the initial design meeting, through construction we are Portland's craftsman renovation experts. We explore the craftsman style, the history of craftsman homes, and the best siding types to choose should you be considering replacing the siding on your historical craftsman home.

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Craftsman Siding Options
Craftsman Homes | Timeless Classics

Table of Contents

  • What Features Constitute Craftsman Style?
  • 3 Common Siding Styles of Craftsman-Style Homes
  • 3 Design Decisions To Consider When Updating Your Craftsman Home’s Siding
  • How To Decide on Siding for Craftsman-Style Homes
  • Update Your Siding With Craftsman Exterior Remodeling Experts, Lifetime Remodeling Systems
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What Features Constitute The Craftsman Style?

Craftsman homes aren't your typical, run-of-the-mill dwellings. They are distinct and unique, and include a wide variety of styles such as:

  • Bungalows: Bungalows are cozy, one-story homes that feature large, functional porches with tapered columns. The roofs are low-pitched and usually have features like stained-glass windows.
  • Mission-style: Spanish influences abound in mission-style Craftsman homes. You’ll see plenty of stucco walls, arches, curved edges, terra-cotta roofs, and tile detailing. These homes often boast quaint interior courtyards and sprawling verandas.
  • Prairie-style: This style was popularized by Frank Lloyd Wright. It maintains a distinctly contemporary feel and gained popularity in the Midwest region of the U.S. Rows of windows help to bring the outside in while drawing focus to the home’s horizontal lines. Prairie-style Craftsman homes sport a low profile with flat, overhanging roofs and covered porches. 
  • Four square: Four square Craftsman homes became popular because they fit well on city lots and were easy to build. They are generally square, have two stories with four rooms on each floor, and a generous covered front porch. 
  • California Craftsman: One of the birthplaces of Craftsman-style homes was Southern California. The California Craftsman home maintains a more traditional style with a low-pitched roof, and charming, trellis-covered walkways and porches.

Common Craftsman Characteristics For Craftsman Homes

  • Use of natural materials, such as wood, stone, and brick
  • Dark-colored exteriors
  • Clean lines
  • Intricate woodwork and handmade details
  • Low-pitched, often gable-style roofs
  • Wide, overhanging eaves
  • Prominent, covered front porches
  • Pillars lining the entryway; and 
  • An emphasis on high-quality craftsmanship

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The Evolution of the Craftsman Style

A Timeless Architectural Journey
Originally designed by Gustav Stickley, Craftsman-style homes were part of the Arts and Crafts movement of the late 19th and early 20th century. Stickley’s goal was to create high-quality, functional homes that were accessible to a wide section of the population. 

1920's-1940's: The Classic Era

  • Craftsman homes were built across the country in newly established neighborhoods.
  • The craftsman style was adapted to various climates and regions creating variations such as the California Bungalow & The Prairie Style

1950's-1970's: Decline & Revival

  • Decline: After WW2 craftsman popularity declined and new architectural styles such as mid-century modern became popular.
  • Revival: The 1970's however saw in historical architecture such as the craftsman style driven by an appreciation in the pure craftsmanship, and simplicity of the craftsman style.

1980's-Present: The Modern Craftsman Home

  • In the last 20 years the craftsman style has regained popularity throughout America. Modern craftsman homes blend the traditional craftsman style with modern conveniences such as energy efficient composite materials, open concepts providing better flow throughout the home, smart home technologies & more. Fusing new technologies with the craftsman style creates a fantastic blend of original craftsman aesthetics, with modern materials and conveniences.

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Portland Craftsman Siding Experts
Hardieplank Siding w/ Custom Trim Package

Common Siding Styles of Craftsman-Style Homes

#1: Hardieplank Siding

Hardieplank offers many different product lines allowing you to reside your craftsman home with something as durable as Hardieplank without losing the craftsman aesthetic.

Hardieplank siding is known for its:

  • Durability
  • Versatility
  • Weather-resistance
  • Low maintenance
  • Design flexibility

When compared to many other siding options, Hardieplank is less expensive but offers the same aesthetic and increased durability over other siding options like wood based siding. It also combines well with traditional natural materials, providing texture while still maintaining the clean lines that Craftsman-style homes are known for. 

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Hardieplank Siding | A Great Option For Residing Your Craftsman Home

Our Experience

We use Hardieplank for 90% of our craftsman siding projects for a number of reasons including;

  • Cost: Hardieplank costs less than cedar siding and offers more durability than wood based siding saving you $$$ both on the front end, and on maintenance costs like painting as paint will last up to 35% longer on homes sided with Hardieplank
  • Design: Most companies only offer Hardieplank's standard siding line (7" reveal, with woodgrain). At Lifetime Remodeling Systems, we ensure that we are staying consistent with the craftsman aesthetic utilizing Hardieplank's smooth lap siding with a 5" reveal to emulate the cedar lap siding used in the 1920's. We also provide our clients with a Benjamin Moore Color Expert to help them choose from the Benjamin Moore Historical exterior paint pallet.
  • Durability: Hardieplank's durability is well known. Being a cement based siding Hardieplank doesn't expand and contract, doesn't absorb moisture, and holds paint longer than applicable wood products.

                                                                                                                                                      

#2: Cedar Siding

Natural cedar siding provides homeowners with a durable, real-wood look and feel that is that greatly benefits your homes exterior.

Aesthetic Appeal

  • Natural Beauty: Cedar has a rich, natural look with unique grain patterns and warm tones, enhancing the classic craftsman aesthetic.
  • Versatility: It complements various design elements of craftsman homes, such as exposed beams and intricate woodwork.

Durability

  • Weather Resistance: Cedar is naturally resistant to moisture, decay, and insect damage, making it a go to for the Northwest's harsh winter climates.
  • Longevity: With proper maintenance, cedar siding can last for decades, providing long-term value. A building envelope with built in drainage capabilities, and a premium exterior paint such as Benjamin Moore Regal Select will ensure your cedar siding lasts for many years.

Insulation Properties

  • Thermal Insulation: Cedar has excellent insulating properties, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature and potentially reducing energy costs.
  • Sound Insulation: It also provides sound dampening, contributing to a quieter home environment.

Cedar Siding | The Original Choice For Your Craftsman Home's Exterior

Our Experience

Cedar siding is a high-end option for our Portland homeowners looking for exact replication of their homes siding from the 1920's. Cedar has many benefits for replacing your original siding including;

  • Aesthetic Appeal
  • Design versatility
  • Durability
  • Insulating properties
  • Warmth, & fit & finish hard to replicate with other siding products
  • Historically accurate to the craftsman style

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Design Decisions To Consider When Updating Your Craftsman Home’s Siding

Deciding exactly what you want your siding to look like can be a tricky process — unless you’re working with the team at Lifetime Remodeling Systems. 

Design is a huge part of our services. We provide 3D renderings of siding projects using HOVER technology, so you can envision what your completed siding project will look like before it begins.

Benjamin Moore Historical Collection

#1: Siding Color

While Craftsman-style homes traditionally have natural-colored siding, there are still varied options to choose from. 

The goal is to choose a color palette that enhances the charm of the Craftsman style while highlighting any desired accent areas. On the color wheel, opposite or complementary colors are great options for creating a vivid, dynamic home exterior.  We utilize the Benjamin Moore historical color pallet for the majority of our craftsman siding projects.

Traditional Craftsman Color Schemes - Benjamin Moore

  • Earthy Tones
    • Body Color: Olive Green (BM 1507), Warm Beige (BM Grant Beige HC-83), Sage (BM Tate Olive HC-112)
    • Trim Color: Cream (BM Simply White OC-117), Off-White (BM Swiss Coffee OC-45), Light Taupe (BM Revere Pewter HC-172)
    • Accent Color: Rich Brown (BM Fairview Taupe HC-85), Deep Red (BM Cottage Red 2114-20), Dark Green (BM Chimichurri 2145-30

Earthy tones blend seamlessly with natural surroundings and highlight the handcrafted nature of Craftsman homes. These colors evoke a sense of timeless elegance and warmth.

  • Woodland Palette
    • Body Color: Forest Green (BM Essex Green HC-188), Deep Brown (BM Branchport Brown HC-72), Muted Gray (BM Chelsea Gray HC-168)
    • Trim Color: Soft White (BM White Dove OC-17), Tan (BM Bleeker Beige HC-80), Light Gray (BM Stonington Gray HC-170)
    • Accent Color: Burnt Orange (BM Audubon Russet HC-51), Rust (BM Georgian Brick HC-50), Burgundy (BM New London Burgundy HC-61)

The Woodland pallet is inspired by your natural surrounding environment allowing your home to become a part of that space holistically.

  • Classic Craftsman
    • Body Color: Deep Navy (BM Hale Navy HC-154), Charcoal (BM Kendall Charcoal HC-166), Rich Burgundy (BM Country Redwood 2094-30)
    • Trim Color: Crisp White (BM Chantilly Lace OC-65), Soft Cream (BM White Sand OC-10)
    • Accent Color: Black (BM Black Beauty 2128-10), Dark Green (BM Black Forest Green HC-187), Mustard Yellow (BM French Horn 195)

For a more dramatic look, classic Craftsman colors from Benjamin Moore provide a striking contrast between the siding, trim and accent pieces on your craftsman home. This scheme highlights architectural details and adds a touch of sophistication and elegance that is traditional to the craftsman styling of the 1920's.

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Modern Craftsman Color Schemes - Benjamin Moore

  • Contemporary Neutrals
    • Body Color: Cool Gray (BM Coventry Gray HC-169), Warm Taupe (BM Shaker Beige HC-45), Slate Blue (BM Van Deusen Blue HC-156)
    • Trim Color: Bright White (BM Super White OC-152), Light Gray (BM Classic Gray OC-23)
    • Accent Color: Black (BM Onyx 2133-10), Navy (BM Newburyport Blue HC-155), Dark Charcoal (BM Graphite 1603)
  • Bold and Bright
    • Body Color: Vibrant Teal (BM Teal Ocean 2049-30), Sunny Yellow (BM Hawthorne Yellow HC-4), Coral (BM Coral Gables 2010-40)
    • Trim Color: Soft White (BM Decorator’s White OC-149), Pale Gray (BM Gray Owl OC-52)
    • Accent Color: Dark Navy (BM Old Navy 2063-10), Deep Green (BM Hunter Green 2041-10), Charcoal (BM Wrought Iron 2124-10)

Conclusion
For homeowners looking to make a statement, bold and bright colors bring energy and personality to the exterior of your craftsman home. This approach is ideal for those who want their home to stand out and reflect their unique taste showcasing both the traditional craftsman elements while utilizing color to add more personality and flair to your homes exterior.

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Tips For Choosing The Right Colors For Your Craftsman Home

  • Surroundings: Take cues from the natural landscape and neighboring homes to ensure your color choices complement the environment.
  • Test, Confirm & Render: Paint a small section of your home to see how the colors look in different lighting conditions before making a final decision. If you like it have the siding company you're working with provide a photo realistic rendering of the colors.
  • Highlight Architectural Details: Use contracting trim and accent colors to draw attention to features like porches, eaves, corbels, & windows.
  • Balance Bold & Neutral: If you opt for a bold body color, balance it with neutral trim and accents to avoid overwhelming the eye.

#2: Mixed Exterior Materials

Combining materials such as Hardieplank and cedar can really bring your home to life. Often, we install Hardieplank lap siding, with stained cedar accents like a porch ceiling to make the home absolutely pop. Introducing cedar accents also adds warmth, and an inviting quality which is why we tend to use it on the entry area of the home making the home feel more inviting.

Wood & Stone

  • Classic Elegance: Cedar siding in combination with Cultured Stone accents will really emulate the look, and feel that your craftsman home had when it was originally built. While the most expensive options, this option also gives our clients the look and feel of the original craftsman aesthetic.

Hardieplank And Natural Wood Accents

  • Modern Durability With the Warmth of Wood: Hardieplank is very popular for our craftsman siding projects as it can emulate the original cedar of the 20's, and with the cost savings over wood siding our homeowners can reinvest that money into other craftsman elements like stained cedar accents, new craftsman windows, craftsman trim packages as well as functional upgrades like cellulose blow in insulation

Design Tips For Mixing Materials For Your Craftsman Siding Project

  • Balance & Proportion: Using too much of an accent material can create an imbalance to the exterior design of your home. Utilize accent materials sparingly to get the most effect.
  • Color Coordination: Different materials call for different color schemes. Natural cedar accents really pop off of deep blues and grey tones. The color of the Cultured Stone accent should blend in with the body color you choose for your siding.
  • Highlight Architectural Features: Utilizing new materials such as PVC composites for architectural pieces such as moldings, & columns is a great way to highlight the original craftsman features of your home while upgrading the durability of the materials.

Conclusion

Residing your Craftsman home with mixed materials offers a wonderful opportunity to blend tradition with modernity, creating a unique and personalized exterior. By thoughtfully combining wood, stone, brick, & fiber cement materials you can enhance your home’s visual appeal, durability, and energy efficiency while maintaining the incredible craftsman dynamic that we all love so much. Embrace the versatility and creativity that mixed materials bring, and transform your Craftsman home into a timeless masterpiece.

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Replace Your Siding With Portland's Craftsman Exterior Remodeling Experts. 

Lifetime Remodeling Systems offers decades of experience with siding design and installation for Craftsman-style homes. Combine that with our unmatched craftsmanship and commitment to exemplary customer satisfaction, and we’re confident you will be proud of your home’s new siding for years to come.

As Portland's premier professionals for siding installation and exterior design, we use only the highest quality materials to create our innovative, one-of-a-kind designs and can transform your Craftsman-style dwelling into the home of your dreams. 

Through our HOVER technology, you’ll know exactly what your home’s remodel will look like before construction begins. 

We’d love to provide you with an estimate!

Contact Lifetime Remodeling Systems today for your free, in-home consultation.

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