How to Choose the Best Siding for Your House in Los Angeles

When we work on home remodeling projects in Los Angeles, one of the questions clients ask us most often at Den Builders is:
“What’s the best siding for my house?”

The answer depends on your style, budget, and how much time you want to spend on maintenance. Over the years, we’ve installed and repaired siding on homes from Beverly Hills to Pasadena, and here’s what we’ve learned about the pros and cons of each option.

If you’re looking for something budget-friendly and practical, vinyl siding is often the first choice.

✅ Pros: Affordable, widely available, comes in many colors, resistant to termites, doesn’t need repainting.
❌ Cons: Can crack under extreme heat (and Los Angeles summers can be brutal). It also doesn’t always give the “luxury look” homeowners in Beverly Hills or Malibu want.

We’ve installed vinyl siding on homes in Sherman Oaks where clients wanted a quick, cost-effective facelift. It did the job beautifully — but if you want your home to stand out in a high-end neighborhood, you may want to consider other options.

Nothing beats the charm of natural wood siding. It gives a warm, traditional feel that works especially well on Craftsman homes in Pasadena or bungalows in Santa Monica.

✅ Pros: Beautiful and customizable. You can stain or paint it any way you like. It ages gracefully if properly maintained.
❌ Cons: High maintenance. Needs regular sealing or repainting. Vulnerable to termites and moisture damage.

We once worked on a remodel in Brentwood where the client chose cedar siding for its natural beauty. It looked incredible — but we were upfront about the ongoing maintenance it would require.

One of our favorite choices for Los Angeles homeowners is fiber cement siding (like James Hardie).

✅ Pros: Extremely durable, fire-resistant (a big plus in California), resistant to termites and rot, and it can mimic the look of wood or stucco.
❌ Cons: Heavier and more expensive than vinyl. Requires professional installation.

We recently recommended fiber cement siding to a homeowner in Hollywood Hills who wanted a modern look with low maintenance. It gave their home a sleek finish and peace of mind during fire season.

Drive through neighborhoods like Malibu or Beverly Hills, and you’ll see plenty of stucco homes. It’s a staple in Southern California architecture.

✅ Pros: Works perfectly in dry, sunny climates. Long-lasting. Pairs beautifully with Spanish, Mediterranean, and modern styles.
❌ Cons: Can crack if not applied correctly. Not ideal for very humid environments.

At Den Builders, we’ve repaired and applied stucco on many homes, and when done right, it can last for decades. But quality really matters — bad stucco work is obvious and costly to fix.

For homeowners who want something unique, metal siding (steel or aluminum) is becoming more popular, especially in modern architectural designs.

✅ Pros: Extremely durable, low maintenance, fire-resistant, and very modern in appearance.
❌ Cons: Higher cost, not always suited for traditional homes, dents can be hard to repair.

We used metal siding on a custom project in Downtown Los Angeles, and it gave the house a striking, industrial vibe. Perfect for someone who wants their home to stand out.

Here’s what we usually recommend at Den Builders, based on location and lifestyle:

• In Sherman Oaks or Pasadena, where budget matters → vinyl or fiber cement.
• In Beverly Hills or Malibu, where aesthetics and luxury are key → wood or stucco.
• In Hollywood Hills, where fire resistance is critical → fiber cement or metal siding.

✅ Bottom Line: The best siding for your house isn’t about one “perfect” material. It’s about balancing durability, maintenance, style, and budget. At Den Builders, we help homeowners in Los Angeles choose siding that not only protects their home but also enhances its value and beauty — whether it’s a cozy ADU in Pasadena or a luxury estate in Beverly Hills.