Unless a major issue arises, most homeowners are unaware of problems stemming from their exterior. Eventually, siding does get old and over the years can crack, fade, rot, and more. Siding serves as your home’s first line of defense against the elements, so it’s important to maintain in an effort to avoid these headaches. Sometimes, however, the damage is inevitable. Inspect your home regularly, to spot these problems early on and avoid further damage to your home. Here are three red flags to let you know it could be time to replace your siding.
1. High Energy Bills
Especially in recent years with new advancements, a home’s exterior is designed to be as energy-efficient as possible. Siding and insulation work together to create less heat transfer to your home so that it is easier to maintain a comfortable temperature. Because of this, unseen damage to siding is often exposed in higher electric bills.
Replacing old siding with new siding is also a prime opportunity to upgrade windows, doors, and insulation – 3 other things that impact the energy efficiency of your home. When the old siding is removed, upgraded R-Value batts of insulation can be installed and insulating boards/ radiant barrier for added R-Value. The higher the R-Value of your home, the better it insulates from heat and cold.
2. Warped or Rotting Siding
Vinyl homes, especially older ones from the 60s and 70s, are likely to warp and ripple over time. Brightwing’s experts can help you determine if this damage is too far gone to repair. Warped siding can go a while without being noticed, but becomes an extreme problem as it gets worse. When left unfixed, warped siding can cause moisture issues which then leads to unpleasant scenarios like mold and rotting.
If you notice warped siding, call our experts to evaluate the situation. This problem tends to be contagious- as one panel becomes damaged, the rest are not far behind. Brightwing’s clients do not have to worry about warping as we take pride in the best practices for installation and always use the best barriers available underneath your siding to prevent water intrusion.
3. Cracks or Gaps
Pests, harsh weather, and other unavoidable forces can lead to damage such as cracks or gaps in siding. Based on the kind of material, different types of siding are susceptible to different types of damage. Wood is a favorite for woodpeckers, and vinyl can be dented or busted with a few bad hail storms. One crack could mean nothing but less curb appeal, but it could also mean more extensive harm if moisture has already seeped beneath the siding.
It is also important that siding be installed correctly based on the material. Some contractors do not realize that different types need different installation methods. Hardie Board should be joined in” moderate contact” and other materials like wood need gaps in case of expansion.
The quicker you notice these signs the better, as small problems will eventually turn into major expenses. Brightwing Custom Crafted Exteriors recommends replacing old siding with James Hardie siding as it is resistant to pests and is engineered to stand up to the elements. We encourage our clients to consider the unique opportunity they have to “design” the exterior of their home with the numerous options available in James Hardie products, textures, colors, and installation methods to ensure that our clients get more than an extremely durable exterior, they get a modern, updated exterior finish. Contact us today to schedule a free no obligation consultation.