The Best Siding Options and Everything You Need to Know About Replacing Your Home’s Siding
The role of the siding on your home is twofold: it gives your home its color and texture and acts as the primary protective layer that keeps the elements from compromising your home’s structure. Without siding, your house would quickly deteriorate.
Of course, nothing lasts forever, including your home’s siding. You might begin to notice that your siding is looking a little faded, or the paint is peeling. Perhaps a few boards are coming loose, or you find water stains or mold. Flaws like these probably have you wondering if it’s time for a siding replacement.
Replacing the siding on your home can sound intimidating if you haven’t been through the process before. There are many siding options to choose from, and you may worry about finding a siding contractor you can trust. But with the information in this guide, you’ll soon be able to dive into the siding replacement process with confidence and soon enjoy all the benefits of durable, attractive siding.
How Do You Know If Your Home Siding Needs to Be Replaced?
You know when your siding doesn’t look its best, or it’s been decades since it was installed. But when should you take the plunge and get a siding replacement?
Typically, you should consider replacing your siding when you notice signs of damage or wear and tear. After all, your siding takes a beating from Mother Nature every day. Temperature fluctuations cause siding boards to expand and contract throughout the year, creating cracks and warping. UV rays fade home siding, and strong winds loosen or detach boards. When your siding is looking worse for wear, that’s your cue to begin the siding replacement process.
Here are some signs that let you know it’s time for new home siding:
- Faded, chipped, or peeling paint
- Cracks
- Warping
- Blisters or bubbling
- Water stains
- Internal water damage
- Mold or mildew
- Pest damage
- Loose or missing sections
- Increasing energy bill
Replacing your siding is vital if you begin noticing these signs. They are indications that not only is your siding failing, but it is no longer protecting the interior structure of your house.
One more reason you might consider replacing your siding is that you don’t like it anymore. If your siding looks outdated or simply isn’t to your tastes, a siding replacement is a great way to give your home an exterior makeover.
What Are the Benefits of Replacing Your Siding?
Your home siding’s most important job is long-lasting protection for the rest of your house, and new siding does that best. But there are many other benefits to replacing your siding when the old stuff is failing.
When you get a siding replacement, you’ll enjoy all the perks of:
- Fresh color and style for enhanced curb appeal
- Better insulation for improved energy efficiency and lower utility costs, especially in the winter
- Spending less time and money on siding maintenance
- Added home value and a return on investment when it’s time to sell
- Construction defect repairs once your old siding is removed
That last benefit is especially important if your siding is old or damaged. Compromised siding allows weather and pests access to your home’s structure, and it isn’t uncommon for siding contractors to find structural issues during a siding replacement. Removing and replacing your siding is the perfect opportunity to find and fix these problems before they escalate.
There’s one final benefit to a siding replacement: peace of mind. As a homeowner with new home siding, you’ll sleep easier in your home when you know it’s well-protected and the best-looking house on the block!
Which Type of Siding Is Best?
To get the most out of your siding replacement, you need to decide what the best siding is for your house.
Siding comes in a wide variety of materials to fit different needs. Your siding contractor can work with you to determine the best siding for you, but here are some popular choices when you want the very best that siding has to offer:
Fiber Cement Siding
Cedar Siding
Stone & Brick Siding
Besides the many benefits of these siding types, you’ll also want to consider the required maintenance and upkeep for each.
If you want minimal maintenance, the best siding for you is James Hardie fiber cement siding. All it takes is an annual inspection and periodic cleanings that you can do yourself. Stone siding accents require the same low level of maintenance and cleaning.
Cedar siding takes a little more care, though much less than other wood coverings. Cedar siding only needs to be inspected and cleaned twice a year and occasionally receive a protective finish.
As you begin the siding replacement process, your siding contractor can further explain the pros and cons of different types of siding.
Siding Installation Process
Once you have consulted with your siding contractor about your vision for your home, they can schedule your siding installation.
In many ways, siding installation is the easiest part for you as a homeowner because you just let your contractor do their work. But, of course, you want to know what to expect as your property becomes a construction site.
While the siding installation process might vary slightly from contractor to contractor, here are the basics of what to expect:
- Delivery of materials to your home
- Removal of old siding and inspection for damaged wood
- Application of a water-proof wrap to your house
- Installation of flashing on corners and sill areas for more moisture protection
- Installation of a foundation starter strip
- Installation of siding boards
- Cleanup!
Most siding installation projects take 10-14 days. To help your contractor work efficiently, you can clear items from your home’s exterior, tie back trees and shrubbery, park vehicles down the street, and keep pets and children out of the way.
For the smoothest, most successful siding installation possible, hire a qualified contractor with proven experience and certifications. Anything less can cause you problems during and after installation.
How Much Does a Siding Replacement Cost?
One of the biggest questions about siding replacement is what will new siding cost?
The best way to know is to request quotes from siding contractors in your area. However, you may be surprised to hear a wide range of prices. That’s because many factors go into estimating a replacement siding cost, such as:
- The siding material you choose
- The brand or quality of siding
- The size of your home
- Market averages for your area
- Contractor labor costs
- Extra repairs completed at the same time
When you consider all of these factors, it’s no wonder that across the country, replacement siding costs can range from $5,300 to $15,500 on average.
If the siding cost quotes you receive tempt you to put off the project to the detriment of your home, remember, new siding is an investment that brings you value and cost-savings down the road.
Quality siding offers better insulation, keeping your home’s interior temperature comfortable without straining your HVAC system. This directly translates into lower energy bills all year long.
Newer siding also increases your home’s resale value if you move later. Homebuyers love a house with recent upgrades and are willing to pay more for the convenience of not having to make that update themselves. In the meantime, you will spend less money on maintenance for your new siding, and with the right contractor doing the work, you don’t have to worry about needing a second replacement anytime soon.
Hiring a Siding Contractor
We’ve mentioned a few times how vital hiring the right siding contractor is for the success of your siding replacement. But how do you find the right one?
The first step is to make a list of siding contractors to compare. You can do this by asking acquaintances for recommendations or looking up contractors online. If you do the latter, look for contractors with sparkling customer reviews, strong online presence, and extensive portfolio.
Once you have a list of possible siding contractors, start calling them to collect more information. Here are seven questions to ask. Record what you learn so that you can compare their answers later.
- Where is your company based? A local contractor is your best choice because they value their reputation in the community.
- Can you provide proof of insurance and licensing? You’re looking for liability coverage, property damage coverage, and worker’s compensation insurance, as well as licenses to work in your area.
- Do you have a list of references I can talk to? If they do, contact their references who had siding replacements done similar to yours.
- How many homes have you resided? Look for a contractor who specializes in siding or has many years of experience doing siding replacement. If they have any industry awards or honors, like being a James Hardie Elite Preferred Contractor, take note.
- Can they offer a written estimate and payment plan? You want to see the total cost broken down. Don’t trust a contractor who requires 100% of the cost upfront.
- What brands and products do you use? If you have an idea of what kind of siding you want, go with a contractor who uses it.
- What warranties are available for materials and labor? Most siding brands offer product warranties, but you also want to know if your contractor has a guarantee for installation.
When you take the time to hire a qualified, local siding contractor with extensive industry experience and knowledge, you will enjoy a smooth siding installation project, superior results, and greater peace of mind.
Why Choose Lifetime Exteriors for Your Siding Replacement in Portland and Vancouver
Since 2009, Lifetime Exteriors has served homeowners who know they need a siding replacement but are unsure where to turn for quality materials and workmanship that fit their budgets.
We are a woman-owned company that serves the Portland and Vancouver areas where we put our clients first and strive to provide not only professional siding replacements, but excellent customer service as well.
Lifetime Exteriors listens to your needs and helps you find the best high-performance siding for your home. We have a color consultant on staff to walk you through our wide selection of siding options. Then our licensed installers perform your siding replacement with care and precision to guarantee long-lasting protection and beauty.
We understand how much your home means to you and that siding replacement can be intimidating. Our process is hassle-free for your convenience, and we are always available to address your concerns.
Begin Your Siding Replacement Project Today
Is it time for a home siding replacement? Getting started is easy with Lifetime Exteriors. Request a free estimate today, and our team will contact you about scheduling an in-home consultation to address all of your siding needs.
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