Siding

Your home’s exterior siding experiences the full force of harsh weather and unfortunate accidents to protect you and your family. From hailstones to fallen tree branches, the exterior materials are designed to help minimize home damage. However, in time these materials may start to degrade. Here are several warning signs that may indicate that it is time to replace your siding.

Higher Energy Bills

Siding is designed to be an exterior barrier for your home. While it keeps the weather and outdoor temperatures from entering the home, it also locks in the conditioned interior air. Yet you may notice that your energy bills are higher year round because you are running the furnace longer in the winter and air conditioning more in the summer. If you checked the other areas of your home for inefficiencies, such as your roof, windows, or doors, then the problem could be that your siding is old or damaged.

[…]

Vinyl siding has a typical lifespan of about 30 years. In time, you may want to replace the siding, or just repaint it to give the surface a new look. Instead of keeping the same color, you are debating about changing the look of the siding to create a beautiful home. Here are several popular siding colors that you may select for your house:

Dark Earth Tones

Dark earth tones bring a sense of natural and rustic nature to your home even when you live within the city. These tones can help your house blend or complement the natural scenery surrounding it, as well as create a warm and cozy atmosphere. Some popular earth tones include dark browns, dark grays, and dark greens.

[…]

Many homeowners select vinyl siding due to its longevity, beauty, and minimal maintenance costs. Vinyl siding can last for decades, but only if it is taken care of correctly. Check out our best tips on how to maintain your siding so it remains in good condition and lasts for a long time.

Clean Regularly

Don’t just rely on the rain to wash off surface dirt. Grime, stains, mildew, mold, and residues can set into the siding if left on the surface. So you want to perform periodic cleanings to prevent these problems from ruining your siding.

[…]

Think of your siding as your clothing. It can offer protection when covering up all the important areas of the body. The same holds true with your siding. When your siding is in working order, it can keep the weather and fluctuating temperatures outside. However, the siding will not last long if it is not properly maintained. Here are several problems to look for and ways to fix the issues:

Faded or Peeling Paint

The paint along the siding not only provides a great look for your home but also protects the siding from damage. Depending on the color of the paint, it can also reflect sunlight away from your home to keep it cooler. Peeling paint leaves the surface exposed to the outdoor elements and may form cracks so that moisture can enter. Faded paint could cause the value of your home to decrease due to a lower curb appeal. Painting or replacing your siding can restore the home to its original beauty and increase the siding’s longevity.

[…]

The exterior of your home is the first line of protection against harsh outdoor elements. It wards off rain, intense winds, hail, ice, and snow. Many exterior materials are also designed to enhance your home’s energy efficiency by keeping conditioned air indoors and extreme hot and cold temperatures outdoors.

When examining the several types of exterior materials on the market, such as vinyl, wood, brick, and stucco, many homeowners are unsure about just how energy-efficient vinyl siding is for their homes.

[…]

If you’re thinking of replacing the siding on your home, you might wonder how long you can expect it to last. Learn the typical lifespan of siding materials, plus ways to maintain them in this post.

Vinyl

On average, vinyl siding lasts anywhere from 20 to 40 years. This siding may fade or crack over time, so expect to put in maintenance if this is what you choose.

Fiber Cement

Fiber cement siding generally comes with a 30-year warranty. However, if you keep up with maintenance, that siding might last for 50 years or more.
[…]

Vinyl siding tends to be low maintenance, but there are some exceptions to know about. One of those is the effect of heat on vinyl siding. Learn about the potential problem of vinyl siding plus what to do if your siding becomes damaged.

Storm Damage

Summer storms can damage vinyl siding. Strong winds may blow the siding loose, while hail can cause holes to develop in the siding. If the damage is small, you may be able to replace a few pieces of vinyl siding, but if the damage is extensive, it may be better off to replace the siding.

[…]

Repair or replace: it’s one of the most common questions homeowners have when it comes to home repair. Learn the top signs of siding repair vs. siding replacement to budget for this common maintenance expense.

When You Need Siding Repair

• Cracks and chips: Most of the time, siding with small cracks or chips can be repaired, rather than replaced. Even when one or two boards need to be replaced due to extensive damage, the fix is relatively fast and inexpensive.
• Minor amounts of mold: If you can get all the mold quickly, before it has a chance to spread, repair usually works. There is one caveat, though: You must clear up the source of the mold or the problem will repeat.
• Noticeable dents: Siding becomes dented when objects such as sticks or stones mar the surface. While you may choose to live with minor damage that can’t be seen unless you’re close to the house, siding dents are usually fixed by replacing the affected panels. It’s an easy repair.
• Loose panels: Loose siding is generally easy to secure, making this a pretty simple fix in most cases.

[…]

Vinyl siding can be an attractive and durable choice for home siding, provided you take care of the material. Learn three easy ways you can keep your vinyl siding not only looking great but protecting your home for years to come.

1. Check things out

Once or twice a year, walk around your home and look at your siding–really look at it. You’ll want to make sure all the siding is intact (not hanging loose or chipped), free of mildew and mold, and in good condition. Damage can occur underneath the siding, so get up close. If the siding looks stained or streaky, there could be water damage underneath.

[…]