Is it Time to Install New Vinyl Siding?
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Like most people, you may not typically give siding much thought, but siding, along with roofing, is one of the most important components protecting your home from the elements. Siding also plays a major factor in the overall appearance of your home, which in turn affects its value.
Is it time to replace your siding?
Despite its importance, siding is often a neglected feature on many homes. Now is the time to assess the state of your siding. Is your current siding showing signs of staining, uneven weathering, buckling or decay? If it is, you should check the interior finish in the same area for signs of damage.
Also, check if the siding has areas that are deformed or displaced. And check for damaged siding near grade level, a particularly susceptible area for water penetration, which could lead to deterioration of the sheathing and framing of your home.
Look for signs of damage or decay
If your siding is cracked, rotted, dented, corroded, pitted, looks chalky or dull, or has water stains or moss growth, it may be time for new siding. Of course, it will depend on the extent of the damage whether it's time to replace your siding or if a repair job will suffice for now. Or you may just think it's time for a change. Maybe it's time install a new type of siding altogether, or a new color to completely change the look of your home.
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Lots of choices available
If you do decide that it's time to redo your siding, you'll be pleased to know that now there are more choices than ever. You can choose between vinyl, fiber cement, natural wood (plank and plywood), wood composites, brick, stone, stucco, spray-on or metal (aluminum and steel) siding. Then there are the choices in composition, size, style and color.
Things to consider
So with all the options, what is the best choice for your home? And the answer is, there is no single right answer. There are, however, several factors to consider when deciding on the type of siding to install on your home. And those are: the climate you live in, architectural compatibility with your home, product quality, appearance, cost, maintenance requirements, and the ability to repair or replace in the event of damage.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is the most popular type of siding in the U.S., accounting for approximately 50% of all siding and growing. The reasons for vinyl's popularity are mainly price, low maintenance requirements, and product improvements that have made vinyl a more attractive option, both literally and figuratively.
No siding is 100% maintenance-free
Vinyl siding is the least expensive siding to have installed. And it doesn't need to be painted. Both very attractive selling features. However, it does need to be cleaned regularly. Over time, vinyl oxidizes, leaving a chalky residue that makes your house look dull. So don't believe the common misconception that vinyl siding is 100 percent maintenance-free. It doesn't rot or peel, or need to be painted, so vinyl requires a lot less maintenance that other types of siding, but no siding is truly maintenance-free.
Shorter product life reduces cost-effectiveness
As for the cost savings, although vinyl is relatively inexpensive initially, and you save money on paint and painting, it has a lower life expectancy than some of the other types of siding. You can expect to get 25 to 50 years out of vinyl siding, which may or may not affect your purchasing decision, as you may be long gone by then.
A drawback to consider with vinyl siding is that vinyl is not fireproof. It will melt from heat from the BBQ if it is too close, or from a fire that is up to 100 feet away. It can chip or crack in cold weather or if struck by hard objects. Also, vinyl generally does a good job of providing a shell for your home, keeping the elements out. However, it can hide the problem if certain elements do manage to penetrate the shell, such as excess moisture or termite infestation.
Can paint vinyl to change color
Many people don't consider that you will have the same color siding for the life of the product. If this doesn't bother you, great! But if you're the type of person who gets bored with the look of your house after a few years and needs a change, maybe another type of siding is better for you. That being said, you can paint vinyl siding, although it will then need to be repainted periodically after that. So you can take advantage of all the benefits of vinyl siding, yet have the flexibility to change the color.
Tips to increase wind resistance
Some people dislike vinyl siding because it does not hold up well in high winds, causing a flapping noise or even stripping off. If you have these concerns, buy a thicker panel (0.044 to 0.046), which will also look more like real wood. And have your installers use a double-hem mounting, which tends to be more wind-resistant than single-hem mounting.
Like any type of siding, vinyl siding requires quality installation by experienced, professional installers. Vinyl siding can become wavy or buckled if installed too tightly, which can allow water to penetrate and rot the underlying structure. It needs to have enough “give” to be able to expand and contract with changes in temperature. This is more important in areas that have freeze-thaw cycles, yet still a factor in warmer climates.
Quality installers follow manufacturer guidelines
Also, it is commonly advised by manufacturers and often ignored by installers to leave a gap of at least an inch between the bottom of the siding and any horizontal surface. This is to prevent water from wicking up behind the siding and rotting the wall behind it. Make sure your installers follow these simple guidelines.
Use the Cost Estimator Tool to estimate the cost of your siding project.
