5 Signs Your House Needs New Siding

In this article, we’ll let you know what signs will indicate that it’s time to replace your siding. We’ll also briefly explain some replacement options and give you an idea of which materials are more expensive.

Siding serves two primary purposes – the first is to protect the structural integrity of your home from outside elements and the second is to create a pleasing aesthetic in terms of curb appeal. The most important factor here is obviously to protect the structural integrity of your home so if your siding is starting to fail, it’s important to replace in order to prevent any lasting and deteriorating damage to your home. Replacing your siding will also give your home a fresh facade that will liven up the exterior look of your home.

Most home remodeling companies won’t replace just a few pieces of siding and instead, offer a full-siding replacement for your home. If you are thinking of replacing your siding only to improve your home’s curb appeal check out our product listings to see what options you have or check out the recommended reading at the end of this article to see what’s trending in the siding world. If you’re thinking of replacing siding because you’ve spotted some damage make sure it’s enough of a problem to harm the integrity of your home. Full-siding replacement is more costly than patchwork but also more valuable in the long run so you should be sure your home needs the siding replaced before taking on the cost.

When Do I Need To Replace My Siding?

There are several signs that can indicate it’s time to replace your siding, the following list includes some of the most common signs that it’s probably time to replace your siding. Remember, your siding protects your home from outside elements like moisture and insects or other critters. You want to protect your home from moisture to avoid wood rot in the frame and to better insulate your home in the winter and to block out heat in the warmer months. You’ll also want to keep insects like termite from entering and damaging wooden structures.

Several cracked or loose boards

Cracked, loose, or missing boards need to be replaced because they leave your home vulnerable to water and insect intrusion. If it’s just a couple of boards you may not need a full replacement but if it’s several you’ll want to reach out to a professional for a consultation before leaving your house vulnerable for too long.

Warping or softening boards

If you’ve noticed that the siding on your home has started to warp or become soft it could be time to replace it. If the material under the boards is soft enough to poke into, there could be significant rot damage. If the material crumbles, splits, or sounds hollow when it is tapped with a tool like a screwdriver there might be some dry rot.

Vegetation is growing on the boards

Growth like fungus, mold, algae, or mildew can be a sign that moisture has penetrated the siding. Some growth may just be on the exterior so it is important to wash it off when possible but make sure to also give the siding a good inspection to make sure that moisture isn’t actually seeping into the walls.

Water stains on your walls

If you’ve noticed water stains on your interior walls you’ve got a water problem somewhere and it could be that water has infiltrated the siding. Sometimes when the siding fails to keep water and moisture out of your home you might see water stains or swelling in the walls, you’ll want to identify the source of the problem immediately.

Increased energy bills

A noticeable spike in your energy bills can indicate an insulation problem if you’re certain that your roof and attic aren’t the culprits you might want to have you siding inspected. Siding should help insulate your home and reduce your energy spending but as siding reaches the end of its lifespan, it’s insulating properties may fail.

What Kind Of Siding Should I Buy?

When deciding on what kind of siding material to buy you should consider the architectural style of your home and the climate you live in.

As far as options go you can choose from several including masonry, lap siding, or panel siding.

Masonry includes stone, brick, or stucco
Lap siding is made from wood, vinyl, fiber cement, and engineered wood among others
Panel siding is made from fiber cement, plywood, hardboard, or engineered wood

Vinyl has become a very popular building material and is a popular choice for siding but fiber cement and engineered wood are also popular and affordable choices.

How Much Does Siding Cost?

The cost of siding will depend on how much you need to complete your project, the material, and the manufacturer.

Masonry like stone and brick tend to be the most expensive followed by wood with vinyl siding being the least expensive. Products like stucco (which can be a delicate material) and wood alternatives such as fiber cement falling in the middle ground.

Is your home ready for a full-siding replacement? If you live in North Texas, give us a call for a free no-pressure estimate for your siding replacement project. You can reach us at 817-860-9767.