When it comes to your home’s curb appeal, storm preparedness, and energy efficiency, few elements are as important as its siding. The right house siding will work wonders, while siding that is shoddily crafted or improperly installed will create a whole host of problems. Not to mention, every siding type has its potential drawbacks. But the good news is, the team at Exterior Source is here to break down some of the most common siding problems and provide solutions that will help restore your home to the level of beauty and performance it should possess. 

Problems That Can Occur With Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding provides a wide range of benefits, from offering a stunningly modern look to being impressively low maintenance. However, there are some common problems that can arise with vinyl siding, such as:

  • Warping and buckling – Intense heat and extreme cold can cause vinyl to expand and contract, so if it’s installed too tightly, there’s no room for such movement. That can lead to a warped appearance and cause further cosmetic and performance issues.
  • Noise – If vinyl siding is installed too loosely, it might flap in the strong winds and make noises that will quickly get annoying. If the installation is to the other extreme, the aforementioned warping and buckling might make cracking or popping noises that are just as bothersome.
  • Moisture damage – Because vinyl can expand and contract, it sometimes doesn’t provide the watertight seal that other siding types do. As a result, moisture may leak into your home and cause myriad problems that can be costly to fix.

Problems That Can Occur With Fiber Cement Siding

Fiber cement siding from industry-leading manufacturer James Hardie growing in popularity all the time—and for good reason. But if you’re interested in adding fiber cement siding to your home, it’s important to consider these potential issues:

  • Moisture absorption – The fiber cement material is sometimes known to absorb moisture, which can lead to swelling, crumbling, cracking, and peeling paint. That affects not only the look of your home, but its performance as well.
  • Fading – One of the common problems reported with fiber cement siding centers on the maintenance it requires. It calls for more attention than other siding materials, as it needs to be repainted every 7 to 10 years to avoid fading or peeling.
  • Splitting – Splits and gaps in fiber cement siding are a common problem that homeowners deal with, with improper installation often being to blame.

Where the Majority of Siding Problems Stem From

There’s a familiar theme with all of the common siding problems—both with the ones we’ve discussed and even others—and that’s the fact that poor installation work is often the root. When siding—especially vinyl and fiber cement siding products—aren’t installed correctly, whatever potential issues there might be become expected, as the product can’t work as it was designed to if it’s not fit to your home the right way. It’s easy to avoid these pitfalls, especially when there’s a team like Exterior Source to rely on.

Work With the Experts for Your Siding Replacement Project

When you partner with Exterior Source for your siding replacement needs, you won’t have to deal with avoidable mistakes. When it comes to vinyl siding, the quality of the products we install—as well as our installation work itself—will help you avoid the problems most commonly associated with that material. In fact, the CertainTeed vinyl siding we offer and install flawlessly can be expected to provide your home with top-notch beauty and protection for years to come.

When it comes to fiber cement siding, the James Hardie products we offer are second to none. And not only will our team properly install this siding on your home to help prevent issues with moisture and splitting, but we’ll also protect its beauty for a long time to come. James Hardie products feature ColorPlus Technology that keeps the color of the material fresh and vibrant for years. That, combined with our 30-year non-prorated warranty should give you the utmost peace of mind.

To learn more about the most common siding problems—or to take the best steps to avoid them—turn to Exterior Source today. We look forward to hearing from you!