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.
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 their 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. Vinyl, unlike other common siding choices, 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 from Horizon Roofing.
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.
5. Hidden Hazards –
“Take a walk around your property and inspect your exterior siding closely, from multiple angles. In particular, check for any siding that no longer lies flat. Bulging or warped siding panels can be like the tip of an iceberg, warning of hazards hidden out of view. When confronted with evidence that there may be serious damage beneath the siding, don’t hesitate to seek a consultation from the pros. At Horizon, our team specializes in siding repair and installation can provide diagnoses of such problems and advise you how to proceed.
6. 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 Horizon Roofing siding technician. Assuming there’s no explanation specific to the idiosyncrasies 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.
7. Higher Resale Value –
Planning to move? Consider siding replacement as a means of boosting the resale value of your home. In all of home improvement, vinyl siding installation offers one of the best returns on investment. Though the work may come with a relatively steep price tag, owners typically recoup more than half the project cost upon home resale.
Article from: https://www.bobvila.com/slideshow/7-signs-your-house-needs-new-siding-49353#7-higher-resale-value