If you had to choose between an all brick house or something else, like siding Victorian, Log Cabin or farm?

house what would you choose, and its 1500 square feet

Should I use sheet metal or what else to prevent rain water damaging my house siding along the base?

I am ready to replace my house sidings, but wanted to make sure they don’t get damaged by rain water again easily. Should I use a layer of sheet metal along the base? Or what materials is best?