

When we think of "gingerbread," most of us flash back to Hansel and Gretel and the holiday season. There’s also, however, another version of gingerbread that includes adorable exterior siding. Wavy-edge siding, or "gingerbread bevel," is siding that is sawn and textured with wavy (non-linear) edges, giving the overall appearance of a cottage or rustic cabin. The look is warm, inviting and bursting with charm.
The cost of siding in general ranges from $60 to $200 per square (a square is 100 square feet). The cost of installing gingerbread siding, however, will depend entirely on the material used (wood, for instance will cost more), the size of the home, and the cost of labor. For specific price estimates, contact a professional installer in your area.
The durability of gingerbread siding depends on the material used. Wood, for instance, requires more upkeep and can become damaged by the elements. Fiber cement, however, is more solid and doesn’t warp like wood. Other strong materials are vinyl, polyurethane and PVC, which are virtually maintenance-free and will not rot, peel, crack or warp.
The maintenance required for gingerbread siding also depends on the materials used. Make sure to ask your contractor how best to care for your siding of choice.
That generally depends on the opinion of the homeowner. While wood is the material of choice for those looking to really recreate the Victorian-style home, synthetic materials are less expensive and can withstand more damage.
Gingerbread-style ornamentation, decorations and wood siding are very common traits of the Victorian era, which spanned from 1840 to 1900 and became one of the most popular styles in the America during the last half of the 19th century. Fueled by big money of the post-Civil War industrialist barons, nothing exceeded like excess.
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