How Often Should House Siding Be Replaced?

Siding makes an important part of the house because it helps protect it from the elements and offers a great look. Good siding should be durable and able to last for many years. In some cases, you can get anywhere between 20 and 40 years, as long as you install the right quality of siding. How long your house siding will last depends on several factors such as the quality, its thickness, and the way you take care of it. Siding is not made to last forever and you will need to replace it after some time. This article gives information regarding how often you should replace your siding and reasons why you should do that in the first place.

How Long Different Siding Materials Last Before Replacement

Wood Siding

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Wood siding is a very popular material among homeowners due to its versatility. It offers a great look at a relatively good price. Wood is not just about looks because it offers impressive longevity. To ensure it lasts long enough, you must inspect your wood siding on a regular basis for evidence of mold, pests, and rot, and in case you see any, you have to take immediate action to eliminate them before more damage happens. Another thing you have to do is refinish your wood siding after about 5 years to ensure it lasts long. Painting, sealing, or staining are also quite recommended.

Aluminum Siding

Aluminum, as a metal, lasts for decades without needing replacement. However, after about 15 years, aluminum siding starts fading, especially on the baked-on enamel. It, later on, becomes chalky, which can be washed away in the rain. To ensure the aluminum siding lasts long, you have to repaint it. Another thing you have to note is that aluminum gets easily scratched, dented, or pitted. These issues should be fixed as soon as they arise because failure to do so can cause you to replace the entire siding altogether.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is a very popular siding material because it offers the look of natural wood without any issues. A good vinyl siding is able to maintain its color for many years without needing refinishing. Another advantage is that vinyl does not require a lot of maintenance like other siding materials. Unlike wood, vinyl does not rot or scratch like aluminum. Despite these benefits, vinyl does get dirty over time but cleaning is quite easy. With proper maintenance and the non-existence of tough weather conditions, vinyl should last long.

Signs That Show it is Time to Replace Siding

As previously mentioned, siding should last long. The only issue is that the number of years your siding lasts depends on several factors such as the weather conditions, durability, and overall lifespan. This part of the article gives several signs you should watch out for to help you know it is time to replace your siding.

Rot on Siding

If your siding, especially wood, starts to rot or crumble, this means that it is not able to perform its critical role of protecting your house from elements. In such a case, you might want to replace the siding as soon as possible.

Cracks and Gaps

Cracks and gaps on your siding not only look bad to the eye but also mean that your siding is damaged and needs immediate repair. These cracks compromise your house’s structural integrity, a situation you do not want to be in if you really value the look of your house.

Too Much Maintenance

If you find yourself doing too much maintenance on your siding, then it is high time that you might want to shift priorities and consider replacing the siding. Too many repairs on the siding mean that your siding is quite damaged and more repair might not be the solution.

Siding is a key element in your house because it serves as the first line of defense against elements that might affect your house. A good siding should last between 20 and 40 years with proper care. However, it is also good to note that the type of siding material will determine whether it stands the test of time. This article has shown you different siding materials and how long you should expect them to last plus different reasons that might need you to replace your siding a lot sooner than you may have planned. This information should help you when installing siding on your house. If you are still confused, you might want to reach out to experts for advice on the same.