When to Replace Siding on House
/Starting to think it might be time to replace your siding? You might be right. But how do you know when it's "actually" time for a replacement?
Let's do a quick test. First, stand on the street in front of your home or in your backyard, and ask yourself the following:
Is your existing siding damaged?
Can you see cracks, chips, or holes in any panels?
If so, how many of them show signs of damage?
A good rule of thumb is to replace all of your home's siding after at least 50 of its panels are damaged.
Why Does Siding Need to Be Replaced?
Both roofing and siding take a beating when storms pass through your neighborhood. And if you live in the Midwest, you're probably no stranger to hail storm season. Those dense, fast-moving hailstones can hit hard, puncturing your panels, shingles, gutters—you name it!
5 Reasons to Replace Siding on Home
Generally speaking, damage to your panels isn't the only reason it might be time for an upgrade, but it is a crucial one! So, let's review the top 5 common reasons people choose to replace their siding.
Is your home's siding warped or wavy? This could be a sign of water damage, which eventually leads to moisture issues developing in the inner walls of your home.
How are the seams? Are they tight and straight or loose and pulling away from the house? Loose seams allow rain to get in behind the siding panels, causing ongoing water damage to your home.
Do you see signs of mildew, mold, or dry rot—particularly if you currently have wood siding on your home. Mold and mildew create unhealthy air quality and may cause respiratory issues.
Would you consider your home to be "energy efficient"? The siding industry has made fantastic improvements in siding construction and performance over the last few decades. Therefore, replacing your old siding with new, energy-efficient siding will make you more comfortable in your home—and save you BIG on utilities.
Do you like your siding anymore? Perhaps you've recently purchased a home with outdated siding, or you're looking for an upgrade to improve curb appeal. New siding can increase your home's value by adding a fresh appearance and durability to its structure.
So, whether you were struck by a hail storm or want to improve your home's look and value, you might decide it's time to replace your home's siding.
Now, here's the hard part—choosing the right contractor!
Life would be much simpler if you had one contractor you could trust for amazing siding and roofing, right? Though most people know us as "the window guy," it might surprise you to learn that we also do siding, roofing, and gutters.
If your home's siding has been affected by recent storms, we would love to give you an estimate on siding replacement and have the opportunity to earn your business.
Still doing your online research?
No worries! Here are a few items that all reputable contractors suggest you check before hiring someone to work on your home.
Is the contractor a local company? You don't want a "here today, gone tomorrow" contractor from another state to work on your home, do you?
Is the contractor licensed? To find out, check the status of a contractor's MN license.
Is the contractor covered with insurance? AND is it enough insurance to cover your home if something goes wrong during installation? Ask to see their coverage before any contracts are signed.
How long has the contractor been in business? Make sure they have the skill and experience to give you a beautiful finished product.
What is the reputation of the contractor? Check out the BBB and Angi (formally, Angie's List) for reviews.
This list may seem like common sense, but keeping your common sense hat on can be challenging when your home is damaged, disrupting your life.
Your focus becomes GET IT DONE!
But, no matter how hurried you feel, always choose a local, licensed, insured contractor with the experience and reputation to do an excellent job for you.
Don't Worry. We Know a Good One!
Steve the Window Guy is a family-owned and operated company in the Twin Cities. We are fully licensed and insured and take pride in our relationships with past customers.
We've completed professional replacement siding jobs in steel and fiber cement, but our product of choice is the full-backed insulation panel of vinyl siding.
Here's why:
The insulated backer provides more insulation AND ensures the siding is solid and rigid—resisting dings, hail, and whatnot significantly better than vinyl siding without the backer.
Plus, a rigid siding panel gives you a straight clean install, so your home will look amazing once we install it.
You can choose from a wide range of colors, and a whole host of decorative vinyl siding options, so the completed project is exactly what you want.
What Are My Vinyl Siding Options?
Buying vinyl siding doesn't have to be difficult, but most people have no idea where to start. Bottom line, you need to choose strong, rigid, durable, and energy-efficient vinyl siding that is also beautiful.
Think about it! When you drive up to a house, you first notice its appearance. A vinyl siding with solid construction will affect how it looks. It immediately boosts your curb appeal and increases the value of your home.
As you shop for vinyl siding, consider the following:
Look for a siding that has been impact tested and has a panel thickness of at least .44.
Choose siding with an insulated backing to offer you even more impact resistance and overall strength.
Look for features like staggered or rolled nailing hems that will increase the quality of the installation by making sure the connection of the siding panels to your home is tight.
Finally, ask for the warranty up front:
A 5-year warranty is okay.
A 30-year warranty is better.
A warranty against hail damage and fading is the best.
How Durable Should Siding Be?
Weather is the enemy of poorly constructed siding. A thin siding without insulation will quickly dent and chip in a hail storm. Likewise, a siding that hasn't conformed to industry fading standards will fade quickly under the sun's heat.
Siding panels in the shorter 12' lengths increase the total seams on your house—giving wind a chance to pull away those panels and giving water and insects an open invitation to invade.
Remember, Perm Rating Matters!
Did you know that the average household creates moisture and humidity through everyday activities like showering and cooking?
Perm ratings measure how well that moisture can escape the house. Choose a house wrap and vinyl siding product with a perm rating of at least 5.
At the End of the Day…Always Choose Energy Efficiency.
It's just smart. Look for a siding with a full insulation backer to increase the overall energy efficiency of your home. Your siding covers your entire home.
You want it to be at least as energy efficient as your windows, right?
Trust Our Siding Experts!
Learn more about how we can help you find the best solution for your home! Contact us today for a free, in-home consultation.
Call us today at 612-866-2888 or contact us using our online form for a free, no-obligation estimate.
