It’s a cruel fact: Those factors that make home exterior siding so crucial are the same ones that undermine its performance over the long term. In other words, in defending your home against the hot sun, bitter cold, harsh wind, and precipitation, exterior siding eventually falls victim to the very threats it’s meant to repel.
Of course, many types of siding last for decades, especially when the siding has been properly maintained. But for even the best-maintained siding, there comes a time when repairing or repainting just won’t cut it—a time when, for the continued protection of your home, you need to replace the siding altogether.
Fortunately, there are many benefits to be gained from an upgrade. Thanks to advances in design and manufacturing, the latest siding products offer much more than weather protection. Eye-catching curb appeal, higher home resale value, improved energy efficiency, and dramatically lower maintenance requirements are only some of the reasons homeowners choose one manufacturer over the other.
When you’re ready, Home Pride can guide you through the entire re-siding project, from selecting the new material all the way to installing it. But first things first: Before you leap into replacing your siding, you need to evaluate the condition of your current siding. Has it really reached the end of its useful lifespan? Below you will learn the telltale signs that suggest that your siding’s days are numbered.
1.Rot Run Amok
Siding protects your home from the elements, keeping your family comfortable and safe. If your siding has begun to rot or crumble, then it cannot perform its vital role. In cases of circumscribed damage, you may be able to repair only the affected area. But if the rot has spread across the exterior, there’s nothing to do but start over, this time with a rot-resistant material.
2. Cracks and Gaps
Holes and cracks are unsightly, sure, but such outward imperfections aren’t merely jeopardizing the appearance of your home. They are compromising its structural integrity. For one thing, gaps in exterior cladding admit moisture, the enemy of wood. Plus, wherever water gains entry to the home, so too can critters and insects. And while some pests are relatively benign, others are potentially devastating (for example, termites). To maintain the integrity of your home, it’s essential to replace damaged siding.
3. Maintenance Overload
If you no longer have the time or energy to maintain your exterior siding, it’s only a matter of time before your shift in priorities takes a toll. Before that happens, consider upgrading to low-maintenance vinyl siding. Unlike other common siding choices, vinyl doesn’t need to be refinished every few years. Plus, you can clean it with a hose. An added benefit: With new siding, you can dramatically transform the look of your home, selecting from the large variety of colors and textures available in from Home Pride Contractors.
4. Skyrocketing Bills
No obvious signs of damage to your home exterior? Check for subtler indications of underperformance. For instance, if you feel drafts near walls and windows, or around switches and electrical receptacles, chances are that additional insulation and new siding would make a huge difference, both in terms of eliminating drafts and saving you money on heating and cooling. Not all siding materials are equal, so it’s important to check with your local contractor to see what siding material is best for your home.
5. Moisture and Mold
Inside your home, wherever you discover the effects of moisture buildup—be it rot, mold, or mildew—move quickly to investigate the condition of the same area on the home exterior. If damaged siding appears to be to blame, then you should contact a siding contractor for further assistance. Assuming there’s no explanation specific to the moisture and mold of your home, it may simply be that you need to update the siding, or the insulation, or both. Indeed, though it may seem mysterious at first, that patch of mold or crumbling woodwork may in the end be easy to explain—and fix.
Home Pride Contractors is a contracting company that is dedicated to helping homeowners with all aspects of the exterior of their home. If you are in need of some assistance please contact our office for more information.
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