Holding just over a quarter share of homes, vinyl siding was the most used principle exterior wall material for homes started in 2025, surpassing stucco for the second time since 2018.

For homes started in 2025, 27.7% had vinyl siding as the principal exterior wall material. Vinyl siding was followed closely by stucco at 24.1%, and by fiber cement siding at 22.6%.

As shown in the graph, while vinyl has historically held a much larger share, at a high of almost 40% in 2001, the share fell rapidly between 2010 to 2015. However, this share has remained fairly steady since then. Meanwhile, stucco rose rapidly from 17% in 2010 until peaking at 28% in 2021.

The strongest trend, however, has been the growing popularity in fiber cement siding. Also notable is the decline of brick siding, from almost a quarter of homes in 2012, to just under 17% in 2025.

How Home Size and Price Impact Material Preference

Vinyl siding had the largest market share among smaller homes (under 2,000 square feet), while fiber cement was most common in larger homes (3,000 square feet or more). Stucco was widely used across all home sizes but was most prevalent in mid-sized homes (2,000–2,999 square feet).

Most homes started in 2025 were priced between $250,000-$499,000; for these homes, vinyl was most prevalent. Meanwhile, stucco was the most used for homes priced above $500,000. Interestingly, although brick siding was most common in lower-priced homes, it also had a relatively high market share among larger homes. This apparent contradiction highlights the most important factor influencing exterior material choices: geography.

Why Exterior Material Preferences Vary Regionally

Climate, regional building practices, material availability and architectural styles create substantial differences in siding preferences across the country. In 2025, brick or brick veneer was the most common exterior siding material in the West South Central division at 54%. As the South tends to build larger and more affordable homes, this helps explain why brick siding is associated with both larger and lower-priced homes.

Vinyl siding was the most widely used primary exterior material in five out of nine census divisions. It was used on 73% of the new homes started in the Mid-Atlantic, 72% in New England, 71% in the East North Central, 47% in the West North Central and the East South Central at 39%. Notably, this was the first time since 2020 that vinyl siding surpassed brick siding in the East South Central division.

For more analysis on this topic, read this Eye on Housing post.