For the first time since 2018, vinyl siding has reclaimed its spot as the most commonly used exterior wall material for new homes, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2024 Survey of Construction. Vinyl or vinyl-covered aluminum siding was used on 26% of homes started that year, edging out stucco at 25% and fiber cement at 23%. While vinyl’s market share has hovered around a quarter for the past decade, it once dominated at 40% in 2001 before declining in the mid-2010s. Meanwhile, stucco’s popularity surged from 17% in 2010 to a peak of 28% in 2021, and fiber cement has seen steady growth over the last two decades.
Regional preferences for exterior materials remain distinct. Vinyl continues to dominate in colder climates, leading in New England (73%), the East North Central (69%), Mid-Atlantic (68%) and West North Central (49%) regions. Stucco remains the top choice in warmer areas, with strong majorities in the Pacific (64%), Mountain (48%) and South Atlantic (33%) regions. Brick, meanwhile, continues to be the preferred exterior in the South Central states. These trends highlight how regional climate and building traditions continue to shape material choices across the country.
