Your tiny house exterior does more than look good. It protects your home from weather, affects insulation performance, contributes to structural integrity, and determines how much maintenance you will do over the years. For tiny houses on wheels, siding weight directly affects towing and trailer capacity.
Tiny House Exterior Materials & Siding Options (2026 Guide)
Your siding choice affects durability, weight, and maintenance. This guide compares cedar, metal, vinyl, fiber cement, and composite options for tiny houses.
TLDR: Exterior Materials
Metal siding is lightweight, durable, and low maintenance
Cedar looks great but needs regular sealing in wet climates
Fiber cement is heavy but extremely durable for foundations
Weight matters most for tiny houses on wheels
Climate determines which materials perform best
Expect $600 to $3,000 for siding a typical tiny house
Top Choice THOW
Metal Siding
Best balance of weight, durability, and cost for homes on wheels.
Material performance varies by climate and installation quality.
Choosing Your Exterior Siding
The right siding choice depends on your foundation type, local climate, budget, and aesthetic preferences. A tiny house parked permanently in Arizona has different needs than one traveling through the Pacific Northwest or sitting through Minnesota winters.
This guide compares the most popular exterior materials for tiny houses. We cover weight, cost, durability, maintenance needs, and which climates each material handles best. By the end, you will know which options make sense for your specific situation.
Siding Materials Compared
Here is a quick comparison of the most common tiny house siding materials. Each has trade offs between weight, cost, appearance, and maintenance requirements.
| Material | Weight (per sq ft) | Cost (per sq ft) | Maintenance | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Metal (Steel/Aluminum) | 1-2 lbs | $4-$10 | Low | 40-60 years |
| Cedar Wood | 2-3 lbs | $6-$12 | Medium-High | 20-40 years |
| Vinyl | 0.5-1 lb | $2-$5 | Low | 20-40 years |
| Fiber Cement | 3-5 lbs | $6-$12 | Low | 50+ years |
| Composite/LP SmartSide | 2-3 lbs | $4-$8 | Low | 25-40 years |
| Corrugated Steel | 1-2 lbs | $3-$7 | Very Low | 40-60 years |
Metal Siding
Metal siding is the most popular choice for tiny houses on wheels. It combines light weight with excellent durability and minimal maintenance. Options include corrugated panels, standing seam panels, and horizontal metal lap siding.
Corrugated Steel
Cost$3-$5/sq ft
Weight1-1.5 lbs/sq ft
LookIndustrial/Rustic
Best ForBudget builds, rural aesthetics
Standing Seam
Cost$6-$10/sq ft
Weight1-2 lbs/sq ft
LookModern/Clean
Best ForModern designs
Metal Lap Siding
Cost$5-$8/sq ft
Weight1.5-2 lbs/sq ft
LookTraditional
Best ForTraditional home look
Metal Siding Advantages
- Lightweight for tiny houses on wheels
- Handles road vibration without cracking
- Fire resistant
- No painting or staining needed
- Pest and rot resistant
- Recyclable at end of life
Metal Siding Drawbacks
- Can dent from impacts
- May rust if coating scratched
- Can be noisy in rain without insulation
- Industrial look not for everyone
- Gets hot in direct sun
Galvalume vs Painted Steel
Galvalume steel has a zinc-aluminum coating that resists rust naturally. It has a silvery appearance that weathers to a matte gray. Painted steel comes in many colors but can show scratches. For coastal areas with salt air, galvalume holds up better than painted options.
Cedar Wood Siding
Cedar is the classic choice for tiny houses that want a natural wood look. It is naturally rot resistant, reasonably lightweight, and beautiful when maintained. Cedar comes in horizontal lap siding, vertical board and batten, or shingle styles.
Cedar Siding Costs (200 sq ft exterior)
Cedar Siding Material$1,200-$2,400
Trim and Corner Boards$200-$400
Stain or Sealer$100-$200
Fasteners and Flashing$100-$200
Total Material Cost$1,600-$3,200
MaintenanceRestain every 2-5 years
Cedar Performance by Climate
| Climate | Cedar Performance | Maintenance Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Dry/Desert | Excellent | Every 3-5 years |
| Moderate | Good | Every 2-4 years |
| Humid/Rainy | Fair | Every 1-2 years |
| Coastal | Challenging | Annual |
UV Protection Essential
Unprotected cedar turns gray within months from UV exposure. Use a quality penetrating stain with UV blockers to maintain the natural wood color. Clear sealers protect from water but do not prevent graying. If you want the gray look, you can let it weather naturally but still need water protection.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement like Hardie Board is extremely durable and handles harsh weather exceptionally well. It looks like wood but does not rot, warp, or attract pests. The major drawback for tiny houses on wheels is its weight, which can add 600 to 1,000 pounds to your build.
Choose Fiber Cement If...
Best for permanent foundations
Tiny house is on permanent foundation
Fire resistance is important (wildfire areas)
Humid climate with rot concerns
Want traditional home appearance
Willing to paint every 10-15 years
Best For: Foundation builds, humid climates
Avoid Fiber Cement If...
Too heavy for most THOW
Building on wheels where weight matters
Want zero maintenance exterior
Budget is primary concern
DIY installation (heavy and requires saw)
Cold climates with freeze-thaw cycles
Skip For: THOW, budget builds
Foundation Choice Matters
Fiber cement makes the most sense for tiny houses on permanent foundations where weight is not a concern. For mobile tiny houses, lighter materials are better choices.
Vinyl and Composite Options
Vinyl siding is the lightest and cheapest option. Composite sidings like LP SmartSide offer a middle ground between vinyl and wood. Both require less maintenance than natural wood.
Vinyl Siding
- •Lightest siding option at 0.5 to 1 pound per square foot
- •Lowest cost at $2 to $5 per square foot installed
- •No painting required, color goes all the way through
- •Can crack in extreme cold below minus 20 degrees
- •May warp in extreme heat over 100 degrees
- •Looks less premium than other options
- •Can melt near grills or fire pits
Composite Siding (LP SmartSide)
- •Made from wood fibers and resin for durability
- •Looks like real wood grain when painted
- •Resists rot, termites, and fungal decay
- •Can be painted any color
- •Lighter than fiber cement, heavier than vinyl
- •Handles impact better than vinyl without cracking
- •Good warranty coverage from manufacturers
When to Choose Vinyl or Composite
- •Budget is the primary concern and vinyl meets needs
- •Want wood appearance without wood maintenance (composite)
- •Climate is moderate without extreme heat or cold
- •Weight savings important for tiny house on wheels
Choosing for Your Climate
Your local climate should heavily influence your siding choice. Materials that perform well in the desert may fail quickly in the Pacific Northwest, and vice versa.
| Climate Type | Best Choices | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Hot & Dry (Desert) | Metal, Stucco, Cedar | Vinyl (can warp) |
| Hot & Humid | Metal, Fiber Cement | Untreated wood |
| Cold & Dry | Metal, Composite, Cedar | Vinyl (can crack) |
| Cold & Wet | Metal, Fiber Cement | Cedar (high maintenance) |
| Coastal | Galvalume Metal, Vinyl | Steel (rusts), Cedar |
Consider Heating and Cooling
Your siding color affects heating and cooling loads. Dark colors absorb heat, which helps in cold climates but hurts in hot ones. Light colors reflect heat, reducing cooling needs in summer. Metal siding in particular can get very hot in direct sun, so insulation quality matters.
Installation Considerations
How siding installs affects both DIY feasibility and labor costs. Some materials are DIY friendly while others really need professional installation.
- 1.Metal Panels: DIY possible with basic tools. Cut panels with snips or circular saw with metal blade. Screws into studs through pre drilled holes. Standing seam requires special tools.
- 2.Cedar: DIY friendly. Nail or screw into studs. Cutting with circular saw. Requires proper flashing at windows and doors to prevent water infiltration.
- 3.Vinyl: Very DIY friendly. Snaps together with interlocking edges. Light weight makes handling easy. Leave expansion gap since vinyl expands in heat.
- 4.Fiber Cement: Difficult DIY. Heavy panels require two people. Special saw blade needed to cut (creates silica dust). Often better to hire professionals.
- 5.Composite: Moderately DIY friendly. Similar to wood installation. Standard tools work. Follow manufacturer instructions for best results.
Proper Flashing Critical
Regardless of siding material, proper flashing around windows, doors, and roof lines prevents water damage. Water infiltration behind siding causes rot, mold, and structural damage. Do not skip flashing details even if they add time and cost to installation.
Siding Cost Summary
Here is what to budget for siding a typical 200 square foot tiny house exterior. Costs include materials only. Add $500 to $2,000 for professional labor if not DIY.
Siding Costs by Material
Vinyl Siding$400-$1,000
Corrugated Steel$600-$1,400
Standing Seam Metal$1,200-$2,000
Composite (LP SmartSide)$800-$1,600
Cedar$1,200-$2,400
Fiber Cement$1,200-$2,400
Typical Range$600-$2,400
Plus Trim$200-$500 additional
Budget Your Full Build
Siding is just one part of your tiny house exterior costs. Plan for windows, doors, roofing, and trim in your overall budget.