Many homeowners think of curb appeal when buying new siding, but it isn’t exactly practical. It’s only worth upgrading your home’s exterior-wall cladding when the current one is a structural liability, a drain on your finances due to frequent repairs, or both.
Today, Exterior Source discusses the signs that it’s time to get a new vinyl or fiber cement siding system:
Severe Decay
If wood has been gracing the sides of your home for decades, there’s a good chance that it’s nearing decay. Most timber species aren’t immune to the effects of moisture. Those susceptible to water weaken over time.
Not all signs of decay are apparent. Sometimes, dry rot often operates out of sight. The fungi behind it can eat parts of the wood from the inside, sapping its strength and stiffness. Without tackling the necessary home improvement to solve it soon, it can render your exterior walls more vulnerable to weather and wildlife. Consider upgrading to HardiePlank® lap siding from James Hardie® for superior resistance to rain, wind, hail, and cold weather.
Ruined Paint
Paint imperfections are cosmetic problems. However, paint does more than just provide your siding a finished look. It protects the substrate from the elements, delaying deterioration and extending the material’s service life.
Experts like Exterior Source share that regular repainting isn’t just time-consuming and labor-intensive, but it’s costly too. A single job may fit into your budget, but periodic exterior painting projects add up over time. If you expect your siding panels to fail soon, then applying a fresh coat of paint to them is generally ill-advised.
Tremendous Heat Loss
Not all siding solutions are outstanding insulators. Upgrading to an energy-efficient product, like an insulated vinyl siding system from CertainTeed, can help reduce the amount of heat escaping from your home. Heat-loss reduction is especially important during the coldest months.
Let Exterior Source inspect your existing siding, and determine how much time it has left in its life span. Call our office at (804) 275-5323 or our Tidewater branch at (757) 464-2060 to schedule a consultation, and get your free estimate.