Choosing the Perfect Exterior Siding for Your Coastal Home
When building a custom beach home, selecting the right exterior siding is one of the most important decisions homeowners will make. At Marnie Custom Homes, we prioritize materials that offer durability, low maintenance, and sustainability—essential for second homes where upkeep needs to be minimal. Our thoughtfully chosen materials ensure your home remains beautiful and resilient in the coastal environment for years to come.
Understanding Exterior Siding Options
At the beach, homes are exposed to salt air, moisture, strong winds, and intense sunlight. Choosing a siding material that can withstand these elements while maintaining its beauty is essential. We recommend three top-quality siding products for our climate: NuCedar, James Hardie, and Nichiha. Each offers distinct advantages in durability, maintenance, and aesthetic appeal.
NuCedar Siding
NuCedar Siding NuCedar is one of the most durable siding options we use and is featured on the majority of our homes. Made from nearly indestructible Ex-Cel® cellular PVC, this material mimics the appearance of traditional wood siding while offering significant benefits:
- Low Maintenance: Resistant to mold, mildew, and insect infestations, making it ideal for the beach.
- Long-Lasting Color: NuCedar offers a wide range of pre-selected colors, but if you want a custom shade, they can match any Sherwin-Williams color to achieve the exact look you want for your home. However, darker custom colors may not be covered under warranty.
- High Durability: Provides superior protection against harsh coastal elements, making it a long-term investment.
- Architectural Design: One of the standout benefits of NuCedar siding is its ability to seamlessly replicate traditional cedar craftsmanship, including flairs and rounded applications. Unlike other materials, NuCedar’s precision-milled cellular PVC construction allows for smooth curves and custom detailing, making it an ideal choice for enhancing architectural features while maintaining durability and low maintenance in coastal environments.
- Shakes: We primarily use NuCedar shakes because the “grain” provides a natural, variegated look that closely mimics true cedar shakes. The shakes also allow us to do weaved corners without the need for corner boards.
Fiber Cement Siding: James Hardie & Nichiha
James Hardie & Nichiha Fiber cement siding is another trusted option, offering a balance of durability, affordability, and design flexibility.
- James Hardie: Made from a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, this siding is highly resistant to pests, non-combustible, and incredibly strong.
James Hardie shake siding in Rosy Coral from our Sandman build.
- Nichiha: A similar fiber cement product, Nichiha incorporates recycled materials and wood fibers to create a highly durable, eco-friendly siding option. Nichiha also offers shakes, lap siding, and board and batten styles. Their shake siding is thicker than Hardie, allowing for a deeper wood grain texture. Additionally, Nichiha shakes can be used for weaved corners and sweeps, which is not possible with Hardie shakes.
Pro Tip: Factory-Painted Finish We recommend factory-painted fiber cement siding for the best longevity and minimal upkeep, ensuring a consistent and fade-resistant color over time. All of these siding options allow for custom colors with a factory warranty, though NuCedar has some limitations on darker shades.
Exploring Siding Colors & Styles
Once you’ve selected the right siding material, the next step is choosing a color and style that enhances your home’s design. We’ve built over 140 beach homes with beautiful siding selections—here are a few standout examples to inspire your own build:
Coastal Blue Hues:
Aleutian Blue: One of our most popular shades of blue as seen here in our Paradise Point build in Fenwick Island creates a timeless coastal aesthetic.
NuCedar Shingles in Aleutian Blue from our Sea Vous Play build.
Bracing Blue: A darker shade of blue that pops against white trim as seen in our Ocean of Dreams build with NuCedar shingles.
NuCedar shingles in Bracing Blue from our oceanfront Wavehaven build.
Custom Color:
NuCedar can match any Sherwin-Williams color to achieve the exact look you want for your home. However, darker custom colors may not be covered under warranty.
NuCedar shingles in custom color: Family Tides
NuCedar Custom color from one of our oceanfront homes currently under construction.
Neutral Shades:
Timeless and versatile, neutral siding blends seamlessly with the coastal landscape, offering a sophisticated and relaxed aesthetic.
Argos:
NuCedar shingles in Argos with NuCedar board and batten in Super White from our Kan’t Beat the View build.
NuCedar shingles in Argos with Hardie board and batten in Arctic White from our Oceans Edge build.
Worldly Gray:
NuCedar shingles in Worldly Gray from our Relaxation Delivered build.
NuCedar shingles in Worldly Gray with Wolf board and batten from our Sol Mate build.
NuCedar monochromatic shingles with board and batten in Worldly Gray from our Double the Fun build.
Intellectual Gray:
NuCedar shingles in Intellectual Gray from my previous personal home, Dream Catcher.
Wool Skein: 
NuCedar Shingles in Wool Skein mimics the look of light wood from our Gratitude build.
Classic White:
Bright and timeless, classic white siding enhances natural light and pairs beautifully with any architectural style for a crisp, coastal look.
Arctic White:
James Hardie board and batten siding with shake siding in Arctic White from our Surfside build.
James Hardie straight shake panel in Arctic White with board and batten from our Beach to Bay build.
Modern Elegance:
A mix of warm wood tones and cool grays creates a sleek, contemporary aesthetic that adds depth and sophistication to any beach home.
Nichiha architectural wall panels in Vintagewood Cedar and Architectural Block Gray from our Beach Boho build.
Vibrant & Fun:
Bold, playful hues bring energy and personality to a beach house, making a statement that reflects the joy of coastal living. It’s a beach house after all.
Rosy Coral
James Hardie shake siding in Rosy Coral from our Sandman build.
Why We Prioritize These Materials
Our focus is not only on stunning design but also on sustainability and longevity. Each of these siding options provides homeowners with:
✅ Minimal Maintenance—Spend less time on upkeep and more time enjoying the beach.
✅ Weather Resistance—Designed to withstand salt, wind, and moisture.
✅ Sustainable Practices—NuCedar and fiber cement siding materials are eco-friendly and built to last, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Final Thoughts
Your home’s exterior is its first impression—it should be as durable as it is beautiful. Whether you’re drawn to the classic charm of NuCedar, the versatility of Hardie Plank, or the eco-friendly durability of Nichiha, Marnie Custom Homes will guide you through every step of the selection process. Our team is here to ensure your dream beach home stands the test of time while capturing the essence of coastal living.
Ready to build your custom beach home? Contact us today to start the journey!
