Siding Wood vs Wood Look Materials: Pros, Cons and Price Points | Best of The Build Show

In today's episode of The Build Show, expert builder Stephanie Daly dives deep into the world of wood and wood-look materials for exterior applications like siding and soffits. Broadcasting from Utah, where extreme climate variations challenge material performance, Stephanie provides a comprehensive comparison of natural wood options—including standard cedar and vertical grain western red cedar—highlighting aesthetics, maintenance, and pricing. She then walks us through a curated selection of synthetic alternatives such as NewTechWood, Boral, Modern Mill’s Acre, and Longboard—analyzing durability, fire and pest resistance, sustainability, and cost. Whether you're seeking the timeless beauty of wood or the practicality of low-maintenance synthetics, this episode delivers expert insight to help you choose the right material for your next build. Tune in to discover Stephanie’s top picks and hear how she’s incorporating innovative materials into upcoming projects. This Best Of episode is packed with practical advice, pricing insights, and product recommendations that builders and homeowners alike won’t want to miss. REGISTER FOR BUILD SHOW LIVE 2025 HERE - https://utm.io/uiCOC Get your BUILD SHOW Gear Here - https://build-gearstore.com/ Subscribe and follow my Podcast on Apple or Spotify! Apple: https://apple.co/32AOwgU Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3FXNg4X Sign up for our twice-weekly newsletter: https://buildshownetwork.com/newsletter To sponsor a video or advertise with us visit: https://www.buildproductions.com Want to learn more about building? http://thebuildshow.com/ The Build Show on Instagram:   / thebuildshow   Huge thanks to our Show sponsors Builders FirstSource, Huber, Pella & Viewrail for helping to make these videos possible! These are all trusted companies that Matt has worked with for years and trusts their products in the homes he builds. We would highly encourage you to check out their websites for more info. https://www.bldr.com http://www.Huberwood.com https://www.pella.com https://www.Viewrail.com