The two most prominent elements of your home’s exterior are the siding and roof. Without either of these items, your home would be susceptible to many forms of damage and would certainly be far less comfortable. Let’s take some time to focus on your siding.
Siding plays an important role in the protection, efficiency, and look of your home. And when it is deteriorating and performing poorly, it can leave you uncomfortable and frustrated. Caring for and inspecting your siding is an important part of home maintenance.
Sometimes, you may not even realize that the problems you are experiencing inside your home are the result of siding issues. But there are telltale signs that can help you determine if your home is in need of replacement siding. Here are 6 reasons you might want to consider upgrading your siding.
1. Obvious Rot or Warping
Rot can wreak havoc on your siding. When you begin to notice obvious rot, it’s time to seek the help of a professional. Wood rot weakens siding, breaking it down and rendering it ineffective. It also spreads quickly. If caught early, often times, only the areas affected need to be replaced. However, once rot has spread, a full siding replacement will be inevitable.
For siding materials that are not susceptible to rot, such as vinyl, warping will indicate the need for new siding. Many forms of siding can warp or buckle due to the expansion and contraction of materials as the temperature changes. As these sidings buckle under the movement, it allows water to penetrate your siding and cause issues within your home.
When you notice obvious signs of rot or warping, contact a replacement siding professional immediately.
2. Cracked or Loose Planks
Cracked and loosened siding planks make a home more susceptible to pests and moisture. However, with most forms of siding, a small crack or single loosened board doesn’t call for an entire replacement. It can simply mean a repair or spot replacement for a couple of boards.
If your home experiences a great deal of cracked siding, consider updating to a replacement siding that is less susceptible to cracks and dents, such as James Hardie® fiber cement.
3. Bubbling or Blistering
When you see bubbles in your siding, it is another indication that moisture has penetrated your exterior. Blistering can also occur from extreme heat, and the only fix is a replacement. If the area affected is localized and small, you can simply replace the blistered boards. If the bubbling has spread across a significant surface area, you’ll want to replace the siding altogether.
4. High Energy Bills
If your energy bills seem abnormally high, the inefficient siding could be the cause. There are many reasons your home can experience high energy bills, but insulation remains a factor in all of them. Siding that is under-insulated can be replaced to help increase efficiency.
But high bills can also indicate further issues with siding, such as cracks, holes, and breaks. And certain forms of siding are greater insulators than others. Consider saving money with an environmentally friendly siding like James Hardie.
5. Outdated
If the exterior of your home is old or outdated in style, it may be time to consider updating with a fresh, modern siding option. Old siding can be dragging down the look of your home, so think about giving your home a new style and color selection that will bring it into the modern era.
If paint is faded, colors and textures are out of style, or you have a new home addition that looks fresh and modern while your old siding is stuck in the past, begin brainstorming what style of siding you would like your home to have.
6. Interior Water Stains or Peeling Paint
Siding problems will manifest in your interior. So, when you notice interior water stains appearing on your drywall, peeling paint, or wallpaper peeling off, it could be a sign that something is wrong with your siding.
You should immediately perform a siding inspection to check for any areas of concern. Beyond the appearance of moisture on your drywall, water that has been able to enter your interior may be resting in your home’s frame, causing rot and mold problems.
7. Excessive Maintenance
Maintenance can come in the form of cleaning, caulking, painting, sealing, repairing, replacing, or securing loose boards. And if you are excessively performing any of these forms of home maintenance, it might be time to update to a lower maintenance form of siding like James Hardie.
Just make sure to hire a certified James Hardie siding contractor to install your materials so that you won’t face maintenance issues due to improper installation.
Benefits of Replacement Siding
- Updating your old siding instantly increases your home’s curb appeal.
- New siding increases your overall property value. (According to the Cost Value Report of 2018, stone veneer replacement siding provides the highest return of any home improvement investment.)
- More modern siding can also increase a home’s energy efficiency.
- Greater insulated sidings (like James Hardie siding) can decrease exterior noise and save you money on energy bills.
- New siding requires less maintenance, attention, repair, and upkeep money.
- Removing old siding allows you to shore up any structural issues within your home, and new siding will provide greater protection to your intact structure.
Protect Your Home Investment with New Siding
If your home’s exterior suffers from any of the problems above, it’s time for an update. At Lakeside Renovation & Design, we install only the highest quality replacement siding and are ready to help meet all of your needs — before, during, and after your installation.
Let us help provide answers to your home exterior challenges and get you loving your siding once again. We are a certified James Hardie siding contractor. We will leave you with top-of-the-line installation and peace of mind knowing your home is safe. Contact us to schedule a free on-site consultation.
