Mixing siding styles is a smart way to add personality and dimension to your home’s exterior. Instead of using a single material or color throughout, combining options like vinyl, fiber cement, or board and batten can highlight architectural features and create visual interest. Below, we’ll cover popular material combinations, how to choose the right trim, and what to consider to make sure your design looks intentional and lasts over time.
What Does Siding Really Include?
When homeowners ask us about siding, they usually mean the visible wall panels. But there’s a lot more to the exterior than just the wall space. Here are the key parts to know:
Siding vs. Trim
- Siding: This is the wall space of your home—the part you see the most.
- Trim: This includes window trim, door trim, soffit, fascia, rake (also called freeze board), and other finish elements around openings and rooflines.
These trim pieces not only add detail but also protect key edges from water and weather damage. If a bid only includes siding, it may not cover these areas. That’s why some bids look much cheaper—they may only include the siding on wall space. It’s important to understand that a full siding job typically includes all these components to create a maintenance-free exterior.
Some companies may give you a lower bid that looks appealing at first glance, but it may leave out key parts like the window trim, fascia, soffit, or garage door trim. That means you’d still have exposed wood or painted surfaces that require upkeep.
How Full Exterior Coverage Works
At Thermal King, when we install siding, we usually include everything for a full maintenance-free exterior. That means:
- Wall space siding
- Window and door trim
- Garage and patio door trim
- Soffit and fascia
- Rake board or freeze board
- Gutters and downspouts (if needed)
Covering these areas means you don’t have to worry about painting, rot, or ongoing upkeep.
Mix and Match Siding Styles: What Are Your Options?
Many homeowners ask us about how to mix and match siding styles to fit their specific goals or budget. We offer flexibility to match your existing materials or update just certain areas of your home. Here are a few ways that work in real life:
Vinyl with Metal Trim
If you’ve already had vinyl soffit and metal fascia installed, and you don’t want to replace them, we can just replace the wall siding. This is a very common request. You can choose vinyl siding to match what you already have or go with a new look like Hardie fiber cement siding.
Hardie Siding with Metal or Vinyl Trim
You don’t have to use all Hardie products. You can do Hardie siding with:
- Hardie soffit and fascia
- Hardie window trim, door trim, and garage door trim
- Or you can mix in metal-clad trim and vinyl soffit
Some homeowners already have portions of their trim updated with vinyl or metal and want to keep those while upgrading the siding. We make sure the materials blend well and meet your design goals. Mixing materials is problem-free and commonly done to get the right look and performance for your home.
Example from Our Own Team
On one of our own homes, we used Hardie trim against a stucco exterior. These are two different materials, but they worked together beautifully. Why? Because Hardie trim gave us the designer look we wanted while offering durability and low maintenance.
We chose it over wood trim because wood tends to rot over time, and we didn’t want to worry about that. We had the trim painted to match the stucco, and the final result looked great and will last a long time.
Common Questions About Mixing Materials
Can I just replace my wall siding and keep existing trim?
Yes. If your trim is still in good shape or was recently updated, we can leave it alone and only replace the siding.
Do I have to stick with one brand for everything?
No. We often mix Hardie and vinyl, or Hardie with metal trim, based on what the homeowner prefers.
Will it look inconsistent?
Not if it’s planned right. Our team makes sure the transitions are clean and colors are matched or coordinated for a seamless finish.
In Summary
Mixing materials is something we do all the time to help homeowners get both the style and performance they’re looking for. Whether you’re upgrading a single section or planning a full exterior remodel, we can work with you to create a custom solution that fits your home, your needs, and your budget. From vinyl and Hardie to metal and trim details, we make sure every part of your siding system looks great and works together seamlessly.
If you’re ready to talk through your siding options or want a straightforward opinion on what’s best for your home, contact us today.
