Your siding is one of the first things people notice about the exterior of your home—the color, the style and if it’s damaged. With so many options, it can be hard to decide when to update your siding and what type of siding options there are to choose from. At Close to Home Construction, we pride ourselves on our hands-on customer service—working alongside homeowners to help them navigate the when, the how and the what associated with any siding projects.
How do I know it’s time to replace my siding?
Sometimes it’s obvious—a severe storm with hail or heavy winds came through and caused noticeable damage to your siding. Sometimes it’s not. And sometimes you just want a change.
Depending on age, wear and type of siding, you may decide to fully replace your home’s exterior siding. Material can also make a difference. For instance, if your home has real wood siding, regular maintenance is important to prevent rot and decay but if well taken care of, wood siding can last up to 20 years. Whereas vinyl and steel siding have more of the low-maintenance and maintenance-free considerations.
5 signs it’s time to replace your siding
Here are some signs that your siding needs to be replaced:
• Fading color
• Damage from pests or rot
• Bubbling or blistering
• Cracked or warped siding
• Loose or missing siding
How long should my new siding last?
The length of time your siding will last depends on the type of material you currently have, the way it was installed and other factors, such as climate and degree of exposure to the elements. To keep your home in top condition, it’s a good idea to do an annual inspection by simply walking around your home while taking a very close look and noting anything that can be addressed with basic maintenance. It’s always better to address issues early rather than after they become major problems.
What types of siding options are there?
There are many types of exterior siding, but the most common options are vinyl, real wood, engineered wood, stucco and brick. Close to Home Construction works with Minnesota homeowners to help decide what is best for their home while considering all the weather elements.
We are sometimes asked about fiber cement siding. While this type of siding is known for its durability and ability to withstand negative temperatures and strong winds, we don’t typically recommend fiber cement. This siding type wicks water, chips and flakes easily. It also requires special tools to cut and install, and the installers need to wear respirators because the installation process is hazardous—there are many other siding options to choose from that have safer install processes.
What are some siding trends to consider?
- Dark colored siding continues to be a popular option. In years past, dark colored siding would fade from sun and heat exposure but manufacturers now make materials that fade less. Alternatively, some homeowners go dark on their shingles and keep main areas of the home lighter – going bold in some areas and leaving others more natural.
- Earth tones or mixing white or light accent colors siding is also popular; these pallets give homes warm, inviting feelings.
- Mixing colors, siding styles and accents – including contrasting siding trim is a way to make your home visually appealing and add more texture.
Even if you’re unsure if your siding needs to be replaced or just have a few places that need repair, Close to Home Construction can provide a free inspection and consultation with recommendations to keep your home looking good while protecting everything inside. Our siding experts can walk you through color options, materials that may work best for your home and provide suggestions on how to give your home that extra curb appeal through a re-siding project.