Get informed, make a plan, and budget wisely. Your guide to a better home exterior.
Depending on the material and quality of installation, your siding can last for more than 20 years. This is great news as siding can be a significant home improvement investment. However, with so much time in between replacements, homeowners can also take their siding for granted.
The reality is, all siding will eventually need to be replaced if you want to protect your home’s foundation and interior. But choosing a siding replacement company is not an easy task. There are many factors to consider, both about the type of siding that is best for your home and who will be best to install it. Here, you will find everything you need to know before investing in siding replacement.
Siding typically lasts well over 20 years if it is well maintained. However, all siding materials will need to be replaced eventually. If your siding is over the two-decade mark, or if you notice the issues below, then it is time to call a siding replacement professional.
With vinyl siding, discoloration and fading can be a sign of excessive UV exposure. Vinyl that has been faded by the sun is also brittle and runs a high risk of cracking or breaking. While wood siding can be repainted or stained more easily, fading still shows the age of the siding, and it may be time to replace it.
If you have noticed that your energy bills are much higher than usual or you feel drafts or hot spots in your home, then your siding may have lost its insulating qualities.
Mold and moss aren’t just aesthetic problems. If you notice plant growth on your siding, then it is an indication that your siding is holding a lot of moisture. This can be an early warning sign before more serious structural problems develop.
If your siding has aged to the point that it is no longer a barrier to the outside elements, then it could be allowing rainwater to seep into your home, weakening your home’s structure and possibly damaging drywall on the inside of your home.
Bubbling and warping are signs that moisture has gotten trapped underneath the siding, or your vinyl siding has been exposed to extreme heat. Either way, it is no longer creating a sealed barrier and needs to be replaced.
Check for wildlife damage from woodpeckers, squirrels, and insects. While all siding can fall victim to insects, wood siding is particularly vulnerable to termites.
Estimating how much it will cost to replace your siding can be challenging. You will need to factor in the type of siding, the cost of labor, and your unique home. To get started, consider how the following will affect the cost of your siding replacement:
Different siding materials will cost vastly different amounts. Fiber cement siding will be the most expensive, followed by wood siding. Costs for wood vary based on the cut and color or stain. Finally, vinyl siding is typically the most cost-effective.
When replacing your siding, you will likely need to replace other pieces of your home’s exterior as well. Replacement items can include the fascia, soffits, trim, and crown molding.
It may seem obvious, but the size of the area you need siding replaced will affect the cost. Siding is measured and priced by the square foot, so the more you need, the more it will cost.
Your contractor will likely include the removal and disposal of your existing siding into their fee. Make sure this is included up front.
Whenever major work is being done on a home, a permit is often needed, though not in every case or jurisdiction. A professional siding replacement company should pull permits for you; however, permits still incur a small fee. Additionally, you may need a city or county inspection once work is completed.
Some contractors will simply eyeball your home’s exterior to give an initial quote—a method that results in costly change orders. Brothers’ expert siding consultants inspect and measure your home to give you a quote with the right information up front.
For many homeowners, this is the most challenging part of the process—how can you tell the good companies from the bad? Choosing a siding contractor is all about trust.
Once you’ve identified that it’s time for a siding replacement, you have to decide who you will hire. For many homeowners, this is the most challenging part of the process—how can you tell the good companies from the bad? Choosing a siding contractor is all about trust. Which contractor or remodeler is going to go above and beyond to provide transparency and take the time to walk you through the entire process to ensure you understand?
One way that good companies build trust with potential customers is to go through a highly detailed inspection process. If your contractor doesn’t take measurements and inspect the entire exterior of your home, you can’t truly know that the estimate or proposal you receive is accurate. Too many contractors will get by with low-cost estimates and win new business based on price alone. That may work for some homeowners, but the best option for your home’s value and protection is to go with the most trustworthy contractor.
There is always someone who will do the project for cheaper. Put your siding replacement in hands you can trust.
We base our entire company around an honest and fair approach to working with homeowners. There are no high-pressure sales or switch-around tactics when it comes to your siding project.
When you work with us, you have our full attention. Our siding consultants take the time to properly scope your project, getting on your roof and taking precise measurements, avoiding costly surprise changes once it has begun.
We employ master craftspeople with decades of experience to properly install your siding. You’ll feel comfortable letting them work on your home, even when you’re at work!
Every siding project has a Field Quality Manager that oversees the work being done and is there to answer any questions and ensure you’re satisfied with the final result.
Most discussions about siding materials focus on the siding panels themselves. There is a lot of variation in lifespan, durability, and cost depending on the materials you select. However, it’s also important to recognize that siding replacements are systems. Your siding is more than just the top layer. In addition to the panels, here are the other aspects that go into your siding system.
The plywood or cement backer board that is nailed to the exterior wall with studs and lays underneath the external siding panels, which are fastened to it.
On wood siding, the strip of wood that secures joints, the spots where the siding panels connect. The modern board and batten style siding comes from this term for wood boards with battens that filled the gaps between the boards.
The part of the trim or corner post where the siding is inserted. Channel can also mean the trim itself.
An L-shaped flashing that goes over windows and doors before the siding is installed to stop moisture from seeping in where the siding and doors or windows join.
Fascia is usually wooden boards that are located directly below your shingles, along the perimeter of a building, that covers the ends of the rafters at the eaves.
The thin material used to direct water away from where siding elements and roof elements intersect. Flashing is usually made of metal, such as galvanized steel, aluminum, or copper.
The area at the ends of two vinyl siding panels where they overlap, allowing for expansion and contraction. Modern vinyl comes in patterns such as Dutch lap, which refers to the pattern of overlapping panels.
Proper siding maintenance is essential to keeping your home safe and well protected. You can keep your siding looking great for years to come with these maintenance tips.
Whether you have synthetic or wood siding, it should be cleaned every six months to a year. The good news is, siding is easy to clean with a soft bristle brush and mild soap. Gently scrub the siding, then rinse the area with water from your regular garden hose. You can also use a pressure washer on vinyl or wood but take extra precautions when doing so. Make sure you follow the instructions on your power washer, stand at least 6 feet away, and spray at a 90-degree angle, so you do not force water up between the vinyl or wood slabs. It is best to avoid power washing fiber cement siding as this is one of the few ways you can damage it.
While regular cleaning is essential, some chemicals can damage siding materials. Solutions to avoid include undiluted bleach, liquid grease remover, and furniture cleaning agents. Keep abrasive scrubbers such as steel wool away from your siding as well. Both of these items can damage the surface, which fades the color and reduces the water-repelling qualities of your siding.
If you find mold, take the time to clean it now before it gets any worse. Just as with regular cleaning, do not use chemical cleaners. Choose a cleaning agent specifically for the type of siding you have or make your own with a mix of 1 cup vinegar with 1 gallon of water. However, if you notice dry rot or holes when inspecting vinyl siding for mold, then it is time to replace your siding.
If your siding has gaps or cracks, it could let moisture into the walls and affect your home’s ability to control the temperature. When moisture penetration goes untreated, it eventually causes mold and rot, which could even damage the structural integrity of your home. Call a siding professional to repair the damaged siding panels now to avoid a more intensive and expensive project.
Before work begins, make sure to ask your siding installer what kind of insurance they and the manufacturer offer before investing in new siding.
Your siding replacement company should offer a warranty on labor. This means that if the siding is installed incorrectly or if any damage occurs during install, they should fix the issues at no cost to you. But don’t be fooled into choosing a company just because their labor warranty lasts for an incredibly long time – like 50 years. If something is going to go wrong with your siding based on how it was installed, you will likely know within a few years, if not a few months.
The siding manufacturer will offer an additional product warranty. The manufacturer’s warranty will cover any manufacturing defects and should pay back for the price of the product as well as the labor to install it. However, it will likely not protect against regular wear such as weathering and fading or damage from fire or vandalism.
Learning Center
Want to learn more about replacing and maintaining your siding? Check out tips from the pros.
Visit Our Learning Center
Learn the signs that your home’s siding needs to be replaced including mold and damage as well as the benefits to siding replacement.
Learn vinyl siding terms and definitions such as backerboard, fascia, and drip cap, to help you better communicate with siding contractors and installers.
With major advantages over vinyl, durable and versatile fiber cement siding is an excellent option that protects against insects, fire, and decay.
Vinyl siding is a durable and low maintenance siding option for your home. Learn how to maintain your vinyl siding to keep it looking great for many years.
Schedule a free consultation with a siding expert and we’ll discuss your options.
