Written by Mimi Bullock

If your goal is to improve the look and value of your home, then you can't do much better than the classic looks of clapboard siding. (Clapboard is also known as lap siding, bevel siding, or weatherboard.) It's a time-tested, weather-defying choice for your home's exterior, usually made from sturdy woods such as cedar, redwood, Ponderosa pine, or other local varieties. With clean lines and shell-like protection, clapboard may be the right choice for you. The main question many homeowners have is what type of this siding should I use? There are four major types of clapboard siding.

Bevel siding: the classic looks of clapboard siding

The most unique characteristic of bevel clapboard is the board shape. All clapboard is installed from the bottom of the structure to the top. This allows the builder to literally stack the boards, overlapping them slightly on top of one another, creating a weather seal. Bevel has boards with thinner tops that make it easier and more secure to layer. The bottom of the board is thicker and may have a slight flare to it. You'll see this type of siding in many New England homes. Applied properly, it creates a tight fit around your home, protecting it from the harshest weather conditions.

Tongue and groove

Tongue and groove exteriors don't stack on top of one another as other varieties do. Tongue and groove are sturdy boards that slide into place like a jigsaw puzzle. The long sides of the boards have either a carved-in groove or a rounded tongue. Sliding them into place creates a locking exterior that will bring homeowners a neat finish. Some types of tongue and groove have a bead along the bottom of the board. The extra bead helps repel rain. Tongue and groove is another of the classic looks of clapboard siding.

Shiplap

This type of clapboard takes weather protection a little further. Shiplap boards have a slight arc to them. There is just enough of an arc to keep water from resting on the board. Shiplap also has a round molding at the bottom edge that makes it appear a little more dressy than plain clapboard siding.

Rabbeted

Rabbeted siding is very similar to regular bevel, but the top of the board has a rabbeted — or notched — area that creates an interlocking system. Rabbeted siding can have different finishes.

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