Best Plastic Cedar Shake Siding Alternatives for Your Home
Plastic and composite cedar shake siding can offer a textured shake appearance with less routine upkeep than natural wood. For a composite option, Tando Beach House Shake highlights moisture resistance and easier installation; Polaris Homeside Select is vinyl siding with cedar-inspired texture; and CertainTeed Cedar Impressions emphasizes defined shadow lines and installation markers. Compare panel material, coverage, exposure, and installation requirements before choosing. The products below include four synthetic siding choices and one natural-cedar option for buyers comparing materials.
| Product | Material or type | Best suited for |
|---|---|---|
| Tando Beach House Shake | Composite | Low-maintenance cedar appearance |
| CertainTeed Cedar Impressions | Shake-style siding | Defined texture and installation indicators |
| Polaris Homeside Select, Granite Gray | Vinyl | Textured look with a locking system |
| Polaris Homeside Select, Slate | Vinyl | Buyers considering a Slate color |
| Pacific Coast Western Red Cedar | Natural wood | Traditional cedar material and grooved texture |
Tando Beach House Shake Composite Siding
Best for: Homeowners seeking a composite cedar-shake alternative with stated moisture resistance and reduced upkeep. The product is designed to resemble freshly cut Western Red Cedar without the routine painting, staining, or oiling described for wood siding.
Its panels measure 42.63 inches wide by 15 inches high and install at a 5-inch exposure. The product information says installation can be up to five times faster than traditional cedar shakes and requires fewer fasteners, using standard carpentry tools.
Why it stands out: The listed benefits directly address common reasons to consider plastic or composite siding, including moisture exposure and maintenance. Limitation: The stated coverage is one-half square, so calculate the needed quantity and verify project requirements before ordering.
CertainTeed Cedar Impressions Staggered Shakes
Best for: Buyers who prioritize pronounced shake definition and installation guidance. This double 9-inch staggered rough-split style lists a True Texture finish, distinctive shadow lines, and quick-reference nail marks intended to help position panels without measuring each mark.
The product also lists a patented PanelThermometer for installation and says it was designed and tested to withstand hurricane-force winds. These are product-described features; confirm the specific installation instructions and local requirements for the project.
Why it stands out: Its combination of visual texture and nail-position indicators makes it a useful option to compare when installation layout matters. Limitation: The supplied product details do not specify panel dimensions or coverage, so check those before estimating materials.
Polaris Homeside Select Cedar Shake, Granite Gray
Best for: Homeowners looking for vinyl siding with cedar-inspired texture in Granite Gray. The listed features include a Tru-Lock locking system, random seams, and texture based on dozens of real cedar shakes.
Each box contains 10 pieces and lists 50 square feet of coverage, with a listed box weight of 37 pounds. The locking system and varied seam pattern may be useful comparison points for buyers choosing a shake-style vinyl product.
Why it stands out: The product is explicitly identified as vinyl and provides box coverage details for planning. Limitation: Confirm the color and quantity needed for the full project; the listed coverage is per box, not the total area of a house.
Polaris Homeside Select Cedar Shake, Slate
Best for: Buyers considering the same general Homeside Select double 7-inch vinyl shake style in Slate. Its listed features include texture drawn from dozens of real cedar shakes and low-maintenance positioning.
The box contains 10 pieces and lists 50 square feet of coverage, with 480 linear feet per box and a 37-pound box weight. These specifications help compare packaging with other options, but confirm how the coverage applies to the layout and installation plan.
Why it stands out: It offers a Slate color choice within the same product line as the Granite Gray option. Limitation: The listing warns that the product color may vary slightly from images, so do not rely on a screen image as an exact color match.
Pacific Coast Western Red Cedar Shingles
Best for: Buyers who want actual Western Red Cedar rather than a plastic or composite imitation. These 18-inch sidewall shingles are resquared and rebutted for fit and alignment, with a machine-grooved face intended to add texture and shadowing.
Why it stands out: It provides a natural-wood comparison for shoppers weighing authentic cedar appearance against the lower-maintenance claims of synthetic alternatives. Limitation: This is wood, not plastic siding, so it is not the closest match for buyers who specifically want a synthetic material. Its carton covers one-half square.
Buying Guide: How To Choose Cedar Shake Siding
Do you want vinyl, composite, or real wood?
Choose vinyl or composite if your priority is a manufactured siding option with cedar-inspired texture and lower-maintenance features stated by the product maker. Tando is described as composite and moisture resistant; Polaris is identified as vinyl. Choose natural cedar only if real wood is a key requirement and you are prepared to evaluate its care needs separately.
How should you compare coverage?
Check the stated coverage, exposure, and panel dimensions before estimating quantities. The Polaris listings state 50 square feet per box, while Tando lists panel dimensions and a 5-inch exposure. Coverage figures may depend on the installation layout, so use the product instructions and account for cuts and waste.
What installation details matter?
Compare locking features, nail-position indicators, exposure, fastener requirements, and the tools needed. A feature such as Polaris’s Tru-Lock system or CertainTeed’s nail marks can inform the comparison, but it does not replace following the manufacturer’s installation instructions or applicable local requirements.
How important is color matching?
Color can appear different across screens, and the Slate listing specifically notes possible variation from product images. Compare available samples or confirm color details before ordering enough siding for a large project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is plastic cedar shake siding the same as real cedar?
No. Plastic or composite siding is manufactured to imitate cedar’s appearance. Natural cedar shingles are wood, such as the Western Red Cedar product listed above.
Which option is explicitly identified as vinyl?
Polaris Homeside Select Double 7-inch Cedar Shake is identified as vinyl in the product name and lists cedar-inspired texture and a Tru-Lock system on the Granite Gray listing.
Which product lists moisture resistance?
Tando Beach House Shake lists moisture resistance and describes its composite panels as designed not to rot, split, cup, or discolor from moisture and weather exposure.
How much siding does a Polaris box cover?
The Polaris listings state 50 square feet per box. Verify the project’s layout and installation requirements when calculating how many boxes to buy.