Your home’s siding is the first thing you see on the outside, adding value and curb appeal to your home. Neglected or aging siding can detract from your home’s appearance and lead to serious internal water damage. How often should siding be replaced in your home? The answer depends on the type of siding you have and its current condition.
Lifespans of Common Siding Materials
When choosing new siding for your home, you’ll have a large selection of options. Your choice will determine not only the appearance of your home but also the installation cost and longevity of the siding. The average lifespans of some of the most common types of siding materials are as follows:
Natural Cedar Siding
Compared to other types of wood, cedar resists weather damage and rot better. Plus, cedar siding gives you a stunning, classic look for your home’s exterior.
Most people choose not to paint cedar siding to preserve its naturally beautiful color. However, if you finish your siding with a protective stain, you’ll extend the life of the siding. Keeping moisture at bay and treating your home with termite prevention can also help your cedar siding last longer.
Generally, cedar siding should last 20 to 40 years, depending on how well you care for it.
Wood Siding
Wood siding, like cedar, is a natural product that offers a green solution to siding your home. This option has a similar lifespan as cedar siding, about 20 to 40 years. However, you should plan to repaint the siding regularly to maintain its moisture protection and keep it looking good.
Cement Board Siding
Cement board siding offers a long-lasting option comparable to stone or brick, and it requires little maintenance over the years. With cement board siding, you likely will never need to replace the siding again in your lifetime. This siding option can last 50 to 100 years. Your grandkids will thank you if they inherit your house and you installed this type of siding.
Vinyl Composite Siding
Many people love the variety of styles and affordability of vinyl composite siding. While it may not last as long as fiber cement, it does offer you several style choices to customize your home.
Homeowners who choose vinyl composite siding can enjoy their home’s exterior for 30 to 40 years or longer with good care and repairs of minor issues.
Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding stands out as a stellar option to prevent pest intrusion into your home. Despite its low weight, aluminum offers durability that can last for 20 to 40 years on the exterior of your home.
Signs That Your Current Siding Is Getting Too Old
Age is not the only factor in knowing when to replace your siding. If you buy an older home and don’t know the age of the siding, you can still tell when you need to replace it by looking at its condition, appearance, and performance in keeping the elements outside of your home.
Rising Utility Bills Without Cause
Has your heating and cooling usage stayed the same but your utility bills continue to rise? You may have air leaking into your home through poor siding. First, check the condition of the frames around your windows and doors, as these offer common areas for outdoor air to get inside.
If your home has quality insulation and good weather sealing, you may have aging siding that leaks air into your home. Alternatively, you could simply have older siding that doesn’t offer the same energy efficiency that you can get from modern options.
If you want a more energy-efficient exterior to cut rising utility bills or to solve the problems caused by aging siding leaking air, consider replacing your siding.
Energy-efficient siding offers a relatively new option to reduce your energy bills. Therefore, upgrading your siding to one of these more efficient models can help you to save on your heating and cooling costs all year long as you increase your home’s value.
Mold and Mildew Inside the House
Siding should help to protect your home from moisture. However, if the siding rots, as can happen with untreated, old wood siding, it could allow moisture into your home. Examine your home’s exterior around areas with mold or mildew. You may discover rotting siding that needs repairs. If you see several areas of rot or other signs of wear, consider replacing the siding to restore your home’s weather resistance.
Faded Color
While fading wood siding may only need a new paint job, faded vinyl siding indicates that the material has experienced too much damage from UV rays, rain, snow, wind, and ice exposure. Replacing faded vinyl siding will upgrade your home’s appearance.
Warped Siding
Warping and bulging on the siding indicates severe moisture damage that has affected the structure of the material. You may have to look closely at the siding to spot areas that bulge out from the walls. These misshapen areas mean that your siding no longer does its job of holding tightly to your home to protect it from the elements.
Contact a siding expert for the replacement of your home’s siding if you see warping, bulges, rotting, or other serious damage.
Cracks or Gaps in the Siding
Your home’s siding must stay intact to look good and perform well. Cracks and gaps can occur over time from exposure to the elements. Therefore, you have a greater likelihood of seeing these types of damage if your siding nears the end of its lifespan.
If you don’t want water, pests, and outdoor air getting into your home, you need to have your cracked siding replaced or repaired, depending on the extent of the damage.
Are You Ready to Replace or Upgrade Your Home’s Siding?
Do you want an honest professional to give you the truth about your home’s siding without trying to upsell you? Choose Macaw Construction for siding repair in Charlotte NC. We have licensed, insured experts in home siding to assess the condition of your siding and help you find the right replacement for your budget and home value. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for an estimate on your new siding.