When It’s Time for New Siding

When it comes to improving the impression and overall appearance of your home, examining the exterior of your house should be at the top of your list. While having exceptional curb appeal is necessary for maintaining a clean look around the neighborhood, it proves more essential when selling your house. “Typically, siding makes up a considerable amount of a home’s exterior, so once it begins to deteriorate, so too does the value and appearance of your house.” said Scott Cline, owner of J&B Construction, serving southeastern Wisconsin homeowners since 1958 as a provider of high-quality exterior home improvement products and services. “In order to determine when it’s time to replace a home’s siding, you need to be on the lookout for four telltale signs.”

The first sign is higher heating and cooling bills. The primary purpose of siding is to help insulate the interior of a home, which in turn, reduces both electric and gas utility bills. “Over time, the siding may start to break down and split, leaving openings in the insulation. As this is happening, you’ll start to see a gradual increase in your utility bills,” said Cline. Chances are, when you notice this steady increase in your energy bills, it’s time to replace the siding around your house.

Next is cracked and loose siding. While higher utility bills take time to notice, cracked or loose siding are visible issues that are easily detectable upon a visual inspection. In this instance, you may notice separation between panels, some panels might appear warped (like aging paint), and others might form slight waves. Regardless of its exact appearance, if siding is cracked or loose, it’s time to replace it.

Third, is faded siding. The color of siding will likely fade as a result of passing time and exterior elements. “Direct sunlight, harsh winds, and varying temperatures can all cause the color of siding to change in shade,” said Cline. There is a set life expectancy on all siding, so if you notice the color is fading drastically, it may be time for new siding.

Lastly, the fourth sign that siding needs to be replaced is bubbles in the siding. This is a major problem because it means water is finding its way underneath the siding and is pooling up. Bubbles may also indicate the presence of mold or mildew, which can cause serious health issues for individuals living inside the home. So, if you see bubbles starting to form around your home’s exterior, new siding is a must.