The first step is to establish a budget. There is a balance between the aesthetic you want and the maintenance required of the materials. You can find less expensive low-maintenance materials, but these may not be as visually appealing as pricier alternatives. Cedar shakes are low maintenance if the gray tone they take on with age is the aesthetic you are looking for. They can be painted, but that will require more maintenance. Brick will require less maintenance than metal, plastic, or even cement composite siding. Remember, “low maintenance” doesn’t mean “no maintenance.”