Do you want your siding to last longer? This article will provide tips for siding maintenance that can help extend the life of siding, saving homeowners time and money. Siding is one of the key exterior components of a home, so it’s important to take care of it in order to maintain curb appeal. Read through these helpful siding maintenance tips and learn how you can keep your sider looking great for years!
Maintaining wood siding
Wood siding needs to be sealed every 3 – 4 years with a UV sealant to protect it from the sun’s rays, which can dry siding out and cause cracks. If your siding is weathered or faded, consider having a professional power wash siding to get rid of built-up dirt and grime that may be causing damage.
Vinyl siding
Vinyl siding is pretty easy to maintain; it only requires an occasional power wash to remove dirt and grime. You should also check siding for cracks or holes that could lead to problems with leaks, which can cause siding damage as well as water damage inside your home.
Maintaining metal siding
Lighter-colored metal siding often fades over time from the sun’s rays, so consider painting siding a darker color to help protect it from the sun. Check to side for dents and nicks that can lead to rusting, which causes sider damage as well as increased energy costs due to metal siding being less efficient at keeping homes cool in warmer months or warm in cooler ones.
Maintaining stucco
Stucco siding, although durable siding, over time can become brittle and crack. You should have siding checked for cracks or holes that could lead to sider damage and water damage inside your home. If you live in an area of high humidity or moisture levels it’s a good idea to inspect siding every few months for mold growth which is one of the worst.
Maintaining fiber cement
Fiber cement siding is a very low maintenance material siding that’s resistant to cracking, rotting and warping. However, it is important to protect the material from water damage which can cause sider damage as well as mold growth or even rot in extreme cases. Consider having a professional power wash siding every few years to remove dirt and grime so siding doesn’t absorb too much moisture.
General maintenance tips
Tip 1: Pruning trees
Pruning trees and shrubs too close to siding is a good idea because it can also cause siding damage with branches blowing in the wind.
Another siding maintenance tip is to make sure gutters and downspouts are in good condition and clear of debris that could clog them, otherwise, rainwater can accumulate around siding and lead to water damage.
Tip 2: Keep dry
Moisture buildup on any siding material is bad as it can cause mold and mildew to form. If you see moisture on siding it’s a good idea to investigate where the water may be coming from and fix it.
If mold is left to fester it can begin to rot timber siding and cause permanent discoloration on all siding materials.
Tip 3: Inspect every 6 months
Regular inspection of siding is necessary in order to stay on top of siding maintenance. Look for discoloration, sider damage and any holes or cracks that can lead to water damage which will cause sider damage as well as a huge headache if not taken care of right away.
Tip 4: Clean annually
Siding should be cleaned every year with a siding cleaner to remove dirt and grime that can lead to sider damage as well as mold growth. If you notice any siding damage or holes in your siding, make sure it’s addressed immediately. If damage is neglected it will only bring more problems down the road such as rot which is very expensive and difficult to fix once it’s taken hold.
Tip 5: Seal every 3 – 4 years
This only applies to wood siding and other siding materials that require sealant. Check siding for any dents or nicks and make sure to touch up with paint as needed.
If you want the wood siding to maintain its natural look, only apply a thin layer of siding sealer instead of multiple layers which can cause the wood grain to be distorted.
How long does siding normally last?
Siding lasts, on average for between 20-25 years, depending on siding material and maintenance. The longest-lasting siding is metal siding, which can last up to 30 years.
How often should you replace siding?
Siding wood siding needs to be replaced every 20 years. Fiber cement siding can last up to 30 years before needing replacement and metal siding usually lasts 20-25 years. Vinyl siding is normally replaced every 20 – 30 years depending on how well it is maintained.
How much does it cost to replace siding?
The average siding costs between $5 and $6 to be replaced, but the price can vary depending on factors such as siding material, square footage of siding being replaced and current home value in the surrounding area.
The cheapest is metal or wood. If you replace it with pine, it will cost about $3 per sq foot or if you use tin, it’ll cost about the same.
Once you use better quality timbers such as cedar or cypress or better quality metals like iron or aluminum, the price per sq ft will go up.
