Dutch Lap vs Straight Vinyl Siding: Which One’s Better?

Choosing between two vinyl siding can be a difficult task. Especially when both of them look somewhat similar. We understand. We’d be lying if we said we weren’t confused.

Hold on, there’s more. The pressure to pick is also high. Whatever you choose has an impact on the appearance of your property. So, of course, you’ll have to consider your options carefully.

And that’s why you’re searching for Dutch lap vs straight vinyl siding, right?

There are a few key distinctions between the two. When it comes to aesthetics and longevity, Dutch lap vinyl siding outperforms straight lap. However, in terms of maintenance, straight vinyl siding doesn’t require much of your attention. Additionally, it is the more cost-effective option.

Hey, that’s not all. You would need more details on each of these to finally settle on one. And, that’s exactly what we have in our article. So, read on.

Dutch Lap vs Straight Vinyl Siding: Basics

We understand that you might get overwhelmed with all the information. So, before we dig deep, let’s try to understand the basics.

Vinyl Siding

First off, vinyl siding. What is this exactly? It’s a form of siding that you can use on your house. Vinyl siding is mostly composed of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin, commonly known as plastic. It has grown in popularity throughout the years.

Here’s the thing – vinyl siding can come in different kinds of styles. Can you name any two of the styles? Yes, it is a Dutch lap as well as a straight lap.

Let’s talk about these two styles in a bit more detail.

Dutch Lap Vinyl Siding

Did you think that Dutch people make vinyl sidings because of the name? Well, that’s a story for another day. Nevertheless, it is just a particular type of siding style. It has been around for quite some time.

Dutch lap is widely available in a variety of siding materials. And yes, vinyl siding is one of them.

The external features stand out the most. Here’s a list of some distinct features of the Dutch lap:

The plank style is horizontal
The exterior curves inwards
There’s a notch that is at the end of every course

Now, you have at least some idea about Dutch lap. Let’s move to the next style, then, shall we?

Straight Lap Vinyl Siding

Just like Dutch lap, straight lap is also a specific type of siding style. This one is also available in vinyl siding.

Usually, people consider this to be a traditional choice. But hey, traditional style doesn’t necessarily mean bad, right? Because straight lap is still popular.

Let’s have a glance over some external features of straight lap:

The plank style is horizontal
The board is straight

The board is long
There’s a bit of a wedge which is at the end of every course

Okay, enough about the basics. Let’s focus on the detailed comparison now.

Dutch Lap vs Straight Vinyl Siding: Comparison

You’ve come this far. So, we can assume that you are feeling confident about the basics.

But there’s a catch. These basics aren’t enough to conclude. You need some comparison, right? Don’t worry.

We are bringing forward a detailed comparison based on 4 common grounds. So, what are you waiting for? Dig right in.

Appearance

These shadow lines can enhance the beauty of your property. It makes no difference if you use Pella or Andersen storm doors.

But, you will not see these shadow lines in the straight lap vinyl siding. The reason behind this is that the boards are long and straight.

That’s not it, though. There’s more. Dutch lap siding will make you think that it’s made of wood. In reality, it’s not made of wood. But this illusion does add a nice touch to your home.

Again, you will not find this in the straight lap vinyl siding. As a result, your home will look ordinary.

Maintenance

Wait, did your mind already choose Dutch lap because of how it looks? If you answered yes, then you must hear this.

The concave exterior of the Dutch lap siding collects dust easily. Isn’t it true that you want to keep your house’s outside looking nice?

If you choose a Dutch lap, you must clean it on a regular basis. Therefore, it’s safe to say that this one is high maintenance.

On the other hand, a straight lap doesn’t cause many problems. So, you are good to go, even if you pay less attention. Because this one is low maintenance.

Durability

It doesn’t matter whether you use a kerdi board or cement board inside your home. The exterior part has to be durable.

You see, the siding of your home has to be strong. Otherwise, it won’t be able to withstand terrible weather.

In this case, the material matters more than the style. The durability of the Dutch lap and straight lap is almost similar. That is if you choose vinyl siding as your material.

However, the Dutch lap is a bit more sturdy. And the straight lap siding is a tad bit less strong.

So, when it comes to durability, the Dutch lap is the winner.

Cost

We recognize that pricing is an essential consideration when deciding between two styles.

Before that, let’s try to understand what costs you should consider. Firstly, the costs of the two styles are of course different. It’s due to the design.

Then, there’s the installation cost. Also, the sizes of the panel will matter.

In general, Dutch lap vinyl siding is more pricey than straight lap vinyl siding. The design is a bit complex. And that’s why the cost is also higher.

Colors and Sizes

Dutch lap will look good in mild tones of some specific colors like blue or gray. Very dark colors usually don’t go well. So, if you are nit-picky about colors, then you should keep this in mind.

You won’t see a lot of variations in sizes of Dutch lap. You can typically find this in double 4″, 4.5″, 5″, and triple 4″. However, you’ll find variations in sizes on straight lap.

Final Verdict

If you want a good-looking home, then Dutch lap is the one for you. Also, you can choose this if durability is of importance to you.

However, if you are on a limited budget, then opt for a straight lap. It is very affordable. Again, it requires low maintenance. So, that’s a plus point.