Guide to Siding Repair & Replacement

Your home’s siding plays a crucial role in sealing your home against the elements to protect its structure and the contents within it, which is why it’s so important to keep your siding functional.

Not only that, but well-maintained siding improves your home’s curb appeal and property value. So, be sure not to overlook siding repair and replacement when looking for ways to maintain your home and keep it in tip-top shape.

When to Consider Investing in a Siding Repair or Replacement Project

There are plenty of signs and indicators that can lead you to the conclusion that it’s time for a siding repair or replacement project at your home, but of course you have to be aware of them so that you can recognize them when they occur. A trusted siding contractor will be able to tell you whether you can get away with a repair project or if you need a replacement, but a general rule of thumb is to start considering a siding project when you notice that yours is:  

• Cracking – When cracks and gaps are appearing in your siding, it can allow moisture, pests, and air to enter your home and cause structural damage and other issues.
• Warping or buckling – When you see that your siding is warping or buckling, it can be an indicator that there are underlying problems like moisture infiltration.
• Fading – No one likes to see their home’s siding losing its visual luster, which can be caused by sun exposure that wears away any protective layering it once had.
• Suffering from the growth of mold, mildew, or fungus – The presence of mold, mildew, or fungus is a sign that your siding has been penetrated by moisture damage.
• Impacting your home’s energy efficiency – If your energy bills are increasing and you suspect that air infiltration through your siding is one of the main reasons why, a repair or replacement project may be in order.
• Bubbling or blistering – Moisture trapped beneath your siding can cause it to bubble and blister—and it can accelerate the deterioration of your home’s cladding.  
• Requiring frequent maintenance – You shouldn’t be needing constant maintenance for your siding. When you’re running into that, it’s a sign that you may need an upgrade.

Repairing Siding

If you notice any damage to your home’s siding, repair it as soon as possible to prevent water from getting in and damaging the wood and foundation behind it.

If you wait too long to repair damaged siding, you risk paying for more serious structural repairs down the road.

Besides the threat of water damage, missing or damaged siding can also hurt your home’s energy efficiency, resulting in higher heating and cooling bills.

In short, the sooner you repair your siding, the less money you will have to spend in the long run.

The most popular and common type of siding in the U.S. is vinyl siding because of its versatility and affordability. Fortunately, repairing vinyl siding is also relatively easy with the right experience and materials.

Replacing Siding

There are some times when you may want to replace your home’s siding completely. These include when it is extremely old or damaged, when you can’t find a suitable siding material for repair, and when you have old wood siding.

Vinyl siding typically lasts between 20 to 40 years, with the weather and other natural forces playing a significant role in how long it lasts.

If your home’s siding is exposed to harsh elements over the years, it can become so damaged and worn that it’s not worth continuing to repair. In this case, you should install new vinyl siding to replace it.

Oftentimes, it’s hard to find the exact color and material of vinyl siding you need to replace damaged sections of old siding, which is another cause for complete vinyl siding replacement.

Finally, replacing old wood siding with vinyl siding is a good idea, especially if it has moisture damage, mold and mildew, insect damage, or extensive damage to the finish.

Wood Siding Maintenance

When well-maintained and in average weather conditions, wood siding can last almost as long as vinyl siding.

However, wood siding maintenance can be quite a nuisance, not to mention expensive.

For starters, wood siding should be repainted or restained regularly to keep it sealed and protected from the elements. This usually needs to be done about every three to seven years.

Depending on the size of your home, repainting or restaining the exterior can be very costly and maybe something you have to pay for once every five years or so — that’s a lot of money that you could be putting towards other things!

Additionally, extra work is necessary to prevent mold, mildew, and moisture damage to the wooden siding.

This means keeping bushes and other vegetation trimmed back from the sides of your home, scrubbing down the siding at least once a year using a soft-bristled brush and soapy water, and regularly cleaning off any moss and other dirt and debris throughout the year.

Benefits of Replacing Siding With Vinyl

If you want to avoid all the hassle and expense of maintaining wood siding, replacing it with modern vinyl siding is the most cost-effective solution. Vinyl siding provides a whole range of benefits and advantages over wooden siding.

Benefits of vinyl siding:

• Easy and affordable to install
• Can look like wood from a distance
• Very fade resistant
• Incredibly durable and weather resistant
• Not prone to mold and mildew or moisture damage
• Doesn’t need to be painted or stained
• Can’t be damaged by insects
• Low maintenance (can be hosed down to clean)
• Easy to patch or replace damaged sections
• Energy-efficient and eco friendly
• Lasts up to 40 years or more

The Team to Call for a Siding Repair or Replacement Project

When the time comes for you to address the siding on your home, you need a team you can trust to provide you with the right level of workmanship to ensure the best results possible. Lucky for residents of both Massachusetts and New Hampshire, Woodland HomeWorks is here to help. After all, we’ve earned a stellar reputation over the years for our exterior remodeling work, so we can be trusted to provide you with unrivaled craftsmanship whether you’re interested in a siding repair or a full-scale siding replacement project.  

The Woodland HomeWorks team is well aware of the fact that siding is just as much about aesthetics as it is performance. It’s through that lens that we complete our siding projects. We want your property’s siding to live up to your standards in terms of beauty, energy efficiency, and durability. While a siding repair can help revitalize some of that for your property, there are times when a siding replacement is the better option. And when that time arrives, we have both vinyl and composite siding to choose from—both of which are sure to suit your personal tastes and needs. When you pair our phenomenal siding options with our installation expertise, you’ll be setting yourself up for a successful project.  

Reach Out to Start Your Project Today

If you’re ready for a siding project at your home in Massachusetts or New Hampshire and you want to partner with the pros at Woodland HomeWorks, contact us today to get a free quote.