Vinyl siding is a popular home exterior across the country. It’s durable and easy to maintain, and comes in an array of colors to allow you to truly customize your home’s appearance. But even if you take great care of your siding, over the years it can deteriorate and eventually need repair or complete replacement.
If you’ve lived in your home for more than a decade and have yet to replace the vinyl siding, it might be time to take a closer look. In some instances, you can get away with replacing only a few panels. In other instances, you’ll want to replace the entire facade of your home. Total replacement isn’t cheap, but rest assured that the cost is going toward improving your home’s appearance and long-term durability.
Signs that vinyl siding is in need of replacement include:
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- Warped or broken panels: Siding panels that are no longer flat against your home aren’t doing their job protecting you from the elements. Siding can bend and break due to high winds getting in under the seams, due to age, or due to flying debris, such as a downed tree limb or a hard hit from a baseball. Bent and cracked vinyl siding panels can’t be reformed, so whether the problem is in one spot or is widespread, you’ll need to contact a contractor to discuss siding replacement.
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- Mold or mildew on siding: If you see mold or mildew growing on the exterior of your siding, you may have a moisture problem in that area of the building. It’s possible that loose or warped siding is letting too much moisture accumulate, and this scenario can have consequences beyond the damage caused by mold growth. Bring in a siding contractor to examine the area, remove damaged siding, and install new panels that will make your home waterproof once more.
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- Mold or water damage inside: Water damage inside, from peeling wallpaper to mold growth to water stains, can be a sign that the siding outside is no longer doing its job. If you can, examine the siding outside the room with the moisture problem. Look for loose or broken panels that are letting moisture seep underneath. Stick a screwdriver or another thin tool under loose panels to feel how firm the underneath structure is; if it gives under gentle pressure, it’s time for new siding, and possibly new exterior sheathing. A pro can assess the scope of the damage.
- Aesthetic issues: Even if you don’t have water damage or majorly damaged panels, old siding just doesn’t look as nice as new siding. Perhaps your siding is dinged up and dented. Perhaps you once had white siding, but it’s now a dull gray. Perhaps you chose a bright green 15 years ago, and now want a more neutral tone. A siding upgrade can improve the appearance and increase the value of your home while also protecting it for another decade or more!
You may not think about your home’s vinyl siding on a regular basis, aside from having it cleaned from time to time, but it has a hard job to do. Siding has to properly protect your home’s structure from the elements, while making a good impression on everyone who passes by your house. Whether you’re considering siding replacement because you’ve noticed a problem, because it’s been decades since the siding was installed, or because you’re just in need of a change, siding contractors can help you make a decision that works for your taste, your budget, and your functional needs.
