Your home’s siding takes the beating of harsh outdoor elements. Due to rain, snow, and intense sunlight, it will slowly sustain wear and tear and will eventually require a replacement to restore the exterior protection of your home. But the question is, how long does siding last, and when to replace your house siding?
In this post, we’ll discuss siding replacement timeline and what factors affect the longevity of your property’s exterior. Keep reading, and see what might be causing your siding to degrade too fast!
How long does vinyl siding last?
On average, home siding in Mankato, MN, lasts 30 to 40 years. With proper exterior maintenance, it can last up to 60 years.
However, siding durability varies widely, depending on what type your home currently has. In general, here’s how long some of the most common siding materials can last:
- Vinyl siding. Vinyl sidings are the right balance of affordability and durability when it comes to siding materials. It can last anywhere from 30 to 40 years before you need to worry about how often to replace vinyl siding.
- Wood siding. On average, a wood siding can last for 20 to 40 years, but it needs regular maintenance to prevent rotting. For better wood siding durability, you have to repaint it every 3 to 5 years to prevent moisture from getting into the material.
- Aluminum siding. Aluminum siding lifespan ranges from 20 to 40 years. It’s both durable and lightweight, not to mention that it also has excellent fire resistance.
- Steel siding. Steel siding has excellent weather resistance since it can hold up pretty well in the snowy Mankato weather. This can last for up to 40 years before you start seeing major siding deterioration.
- Fiber cement siding. If you’re looking for the best siding for longevity, fiber cement would be the top option. The fiber cement siding life expectancy can last for more than 100 years with minimal upkeep.
Factors affecting your vinyl siding lifespan
Other factors besides the siding material will impact its longevity. Overall, knowing what affects siding lifespan will help you extend its serviceability, so you won’t have to spend on frequent repairs or early replacements.
In general, these factors will impact the lifespan of your home exterior:
- Level of maintenance. Does siding need maintenance? It does, and failure to do so will impact its longevity. For starters, you’d have to do regular cleaning to avoid mold and mildew buildup. Aside from that, you should schedule immediate repairs once you see early signs of damage.
- Material quality. While most siding materials last for decades, it still depends on the quality you get. If you want the best lasting siding material, you should only get them from reputable providers like Boelter Is Better.
- Installation quality. We’ve seen many locals make the home remodeling mistake of hiring an unlicensed contractor to install their siding. While it’s cheaper upfront, you’ll start to see the real cost once premature damage sets in.
- Climate. Mankato gets harsh winters, which can reduce the longevity of your siding by a notch. You may start seeing siding damage earlier than expected, which can be fixed quickly when you call professionals like us.
- Siding color. Darker siding tends to degrade faster since it absorbs a lot of heat. Meanwhile, lighter colors are better at reflecting heat, which makes them last longer. But to minimize this problem, you can always use UV-resistant finishes so your siding won’t fade or rot fast.
Signs siding needs replacement
Now, the big question: when should you replace your home’s siding? If your exterior is decades old, it might be time to check for the following signs that it needs replacement:
- Warping and buckling. This is a tell-tale sign of moisture damage, which will compromise your insulation if not replaced right away.
- Mold and mildew. The presence of mold means your siding is harboring moisture. If you can’t remove the mold and mildew with cleaning, you should consider replacing the siding instead.
- Peeling and rotting. Once your wood siding starts to peel or rot in large areas, you should call an expert like Boelter Is Better for replacement. You should do this right away, as moist wood is a magnet for termites and other insect pests.
- Significant discoloration. Natural wear and tear will cause your siding’s color to fade, especially if you have the vinyl type. If the discoloration is already expansive, it might be time to get a replacement.
- Missing panels. If there are any missing or loose panels on your exterior, you should have them replaced right away. Otherwise, you’ll expose your home to outdoor elements, which will damage your insulation.
- Interior damage. You should also check for interior damage, such as mold growth, peeling paint, or water stains inside your house. These are signs that your siding is no longer effective in blocking outdoor elements, and it’s best to get a professional replacement.
How to make siding last longer
As we’ve told our clients many times, proper maintenance is the secret to making your home’s exterior last long. With that said, here are some siding maintenance tips that you can implement on your property right now:
- Schedule regular cleaning. The rule of thumb is to clean your home’s siding at least once a year before or after winter. For this, you can use a pressure washer at a low setting and mild detergent.
- Consider annual inspections. You can also request a professional inspection from Boelter Is Better to spot and repair damages. For example, we can fix cracks, holes, and rotting siding before they get worse.
- Trim surrounding vegetation. Make sure no shrubs, trees, or vines touch your siding, as this can trap moisture and harbor pests. When that happens, your siding will rot faster than expected.
- Inspect the sealing. You should also caulk around your home’s windows, joints, and doors to prevent moisture from seeping underneath your siding.
- Repaint wood siding. Repainting or re-staining your wood siding will protect it against moisture and UV damage. It’s best to do this during summer to ensure that the refinishing will dry properly.
- Practice pest control. Wood-eating insects are your biggest enemies if you have wood siding. It’s very important to treat infestations as they arise or consider switching to pest-resistant wood siding like cedar.
Looking for quality siding replacement? Contact Boelter Is Better today!
If you’re looking for a long-lasting siding replacement, all you have to do is call Boelter Is Better! We provide quality exteriors in Mankato, MN, with the best siding warranty length.
Not only that: we also offer affordable financing so that you can get your new siding or any home improvement project without the huge upfront cost.
For 30+ years, we’ve been the trusted provider of roofing, siding and windows in Southern MN. We carry industry-leading brands because your home deserves nothing but the best exterior that will last for decades.
If you need siding replacement or installation, contact us at Boelter Is Better today! We can do an on-site inspection and give you a free, no-obligation quote. If you already have an estimate from another contractor, send it to us, and we’ll see how we can give you a better offer!
