Shake and scallop siding can both add character to a home, but they create noticeably different architectural effects. Learn how the Gentek Fairhaven Sound profiles compare and where each style works best on Davenport and Quad Cities homes.

Gentek Exterior Design Guide

Shake vs. Scallop Siding: Which Style Fits Your Davenport Home?

Gentek shakes and scallops can both add cedar-inspired texture to a home, but they speak different architectural languages. Understanding those differences can help you choose an accent that feels like a natural part of your house—not a decoration added afterward.

When homeowners compare shake and scallop siding, the decision often begins with a simple reaction: one profile looks more rugged, while the other feels softer and more decorative. That first impression is useful, but a thoughtful exterior design goes a step further.

The right profile should relate to the shape of the roof, the proportions of the façade, the style of the trim and the other materials already present. A profile that looks beautiful on a product sample can still feel out of place if it conflicts with the home’s architecture.

Gentek’s Fairhaven Sound Single Select collection includes several shake profiles as well as a scallop profile. All are manufactured from polypropylene and feature a cedar-inspired texture, but their lower edges and exposure patterns create very different visual effects.

What Is Shake Siding?

Shake siding takes its visual cues from individual cedar shakes. Depending on the selected profile, the lower edges may appear relatively uniform or intentionally staggered. The surface texture and shadow lines give the wall more depth than a typical horizontal siding panel.

Gentek currently presents three shake profiles within the Fairhaven Sound collection:

Traditional Shake: An orderly profile with a consistent exposure and natural cedar texture.
Cape Cod Shake: A profile with varied exposure that creates a less uniform, more handcrafted rhythm.
Hand-Split Shake: A deeper-textured profile with a staggered lower edge and a more rustic presence.

In design terms, shakes tend to introduce structure, texture and a sense of substance. They can look refined or rustic depending on the profile, color and surrounding trim.

What Is Scallop Siding?

Scallop siding uses a repeating curved lower edge rather than the straighter or staggered edges associated with shakes. This curve softens the appearance of the wall and creates a more decorative pattern.

Gentek’s Fairhaven Sound Scallop profile features a natural cedar texture and a single-course exposure. Although the curved shape is distinctive, the cedar-inspired surface helps it relate visually to other traditional exterior materials.

Scallops naturally draw the eye. For that reason, they are often most successful on a clearly defined feature such as a front gable, dormer or porch area. Used selectively, they can give a home a memorable detail without making the full exterior feel overly ornate.

Shake and Scallop Siding at a Glance

Design consideration	Shake siding	Scallop siding
Overall feeling	Textured, substantial and potentially rustic	Soft, decorative and traditionally detailed
Visual movement	Created through straight, varied or staggered lower edges	Created through a repeating curved pattern
Common applications	Gables, upper stories, full accent walls and larger projections	Front gables, dormers, porch features and smaller focal areas
Architectural fit	Craftsman, Cape Cod, cottage, rustic and updated traditional homes	Victorian-influenced, cottage, traditional and decorative façades
Design risk	A highly irregular shake can feel too rustic for a very formal home	Repeated across too many surfaces, scallops can make a façade feel busy

Which Profile Fits Your Home’s Architecture?

Architectural labels can provide a useful starting point, but the actual lines and proportions of the house matter more than the name assigned to its style. Many Davenport and Quad Cities homes have been remodeled over time and now combine features from several periods.

Ranch homes

Ranch homes usually benefit from restraint. A Traditional Shake accent in a front-facing gable can add texture without fighting the home’s long, horizontal shape. Scallops may work when the house already has softer porch or cottage details, but they should usually remain limited to one focal area.

Split-level homes

A shake profile can help distinguish an upper section or projecting room. Traditional or Cape Cod Shake often provides enough contrast to organize the elevation without introducing an unrelated decorative theme.

Craftsman-inspired homes

Shakes generally feel at home alongside broad trim, substantial porch columns and visible roof structure. Hand-Split Shake can reinforce a rustic Craftsman character, while Traditional Shake creates a cleaner interpretation.

Cape Cod and cottage homes

Both options can work. Cape Cod Shake offers an informal cedar-like rhythm, while scallops can add a gentle decorative note to a gable or dormer. The choice depends on whether the desired result is textural or ornamental.

Victorian-influenced homes

Scallops can complement steep gables, detailed trim and traditionally decorative forms. However, the profile should support the existing architecture instead of attempting to make a plain house appear historically Victorian through siding alone.

Contemporary updates

Traditional Shake can introduce controlled texture when paired with simple trim and a restrained color palette. Scallops are more difficult to integrate into a strongly contemporary design because the repeated curves carry a distinctly decorative character.

How Much of the House Should You Cover?

More texture does not automatically produce a better exterior. The amount of shake or scallop siding should reflect the scale of the house and the strength of the selected profile.

Consider a limited accent when:

The home has one clear front-facing gable.
Brick or stone already provides significant texture.
The selected color strongly contrasts with the main siding.
The scallop pattern is intended to be a special decorative feature.

Consider a larger application when:

The home’s architecture already supports a cedar-shake appearance.
The profile and color are relatively quiet.
A full upper story needs to be visually distinguished from the level below.
The transition to surrounding siding and trim can be clearly resolved.

Should the Accent Match or Contrast?

A closely related color allows texture to do most of the design work. For example, pairing a medium neutral shake with slightly lighter horizontal siding can create depth without visually dividing the house into separate blocks.

A contrasting color draws more attention to the shape of the accent area. This can work beautifully on a symmetrical front gable or well-proportioned dormer, but it will also expose awkward transitions and inconsistent trim more readily.

Scallops already have a strong pattern, so they often need less color contrast. Shake profiles can generally tolerate a broader range of contrast, particularly when the lower edge is relatively consistent.

A Simple Selection Process

Identify the focal point. Decide which architectural feature deserves greater attention.
Choose the desired mood. Decide whether the exterior should feel structured, rustic, soft or decorative.
Compare physical profiles. View the cedar texture, lower-edge pattern and shadow lines at a realistic distance.
Coordinate the full palette. Evaluate the profile beside the main siding, roof, masonry and trim.
Confirm the transitions. Determine how the accent will begin, end and meet adjacent materials.
Verify local availability. Not every Gentek profile and color combination is available in every market.

The Best Choice Is the One That Supports the House

Choose shake siding when the home needs texture, depth or a stronger cedar-inspired character. Choose scallops when a particular feature calls for softness and controlled ornament. If neither profile relates naturally to the architecture, forcing an accent will not improve the design.

The most convincing exterior is usually the one that appears obvious after it is complete—as though the color, profile and placement always belonged together.

Suburban Wholesale & Supply can help homeowners and exterior professionals compare current Gentek profiles, coordinate samples and check product availability. Visit us at 3602 North Harrison Street in Davenport, Iowa, to explore options for your Quad Cities project.

Sources and Product References

Gentek Building Products: Fairhaven Sound Single Select Shakes & Scallops
Gentek Fairhaven Sound Single Select Product Brochure
Gentek 2026 Product Directory
Profile and color availability varies by market. Final selections should be made using current product literature and physical samples.

Shake vs. Scallop Siding for Davenport Homes