If you are renovating your home, you are probably considering investing in new exterior siding. Nowadays, vinyl siding is a popular choice among homeowners. Besides being sustainable and moisture-resistant, it is the perfect way to enhance your curb’s appeal at an affordable price. What’s more? These remarkable sidings can last for up to 40 years!
But if you are a novice remodeling your house for the first time, you will probably have a million questions. From “how long does vinyl siding last” to “does the thickness of my vinyl siding matter?” there is a lot to consider before finalizing your purchase.
In addition to protection form the elements, new siding will instantly increase the selling value of your home. Luckily, that is what we will be discussing today. Read below to find out the lifespan of vinyl siding and what reduces it:
How Long Does Vinyl Siding Last, at a Glance
Depending on your chosen material, it is flexibility, and how well you maintain its vinyl siding, its lifespan may vary.
On average, vinyl siding lasts from 10 to 20 years. However, maintenance and high-quality installation can expand it to 40 to 60 years!
What is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding refers to an exterior siding option perfect for houses and small apartment buildings. Typically, house owners install vinyl siding with the intent of beautifying and weatherproofing their residence.
Vinyl siding utilizes high-quality polyvinyl chloride resin while imitating batten and wood clapboards. This inorganic material is super sustainable, making it a fantastic substitute for other materials like aluminum, fiber, wood, and whatnot. All in all, vinyl siding is jam-packed with benefits, all the while costing less than your typical siding options.
Why Choose Vinyl Siding?
If you are considering applying this siding to your house, you will be thinking more than just the lifespan of your siding material. Below are a couple of reasons why vinyl siding is an excellent option:
Eco-Friendly
Vinyl siding and insulated vinyl siding ensure minimum impact on the environment compared to your other exterior siding options. The best part? You can recycle vinyl scrap.
Budget-Friendly and Easy to Install
In addition to being durable, vinyl siding costs comparatively less than other siding options. Moreover, this sturdy and reliable material is dent-resistant, as well as weather-resistant.
The sustainability saves you from additional costs that come with constant repairs that other materials demand. On top of that, vinyl siding is lightweight. It makes installation pretty easy.
Super Customizable
One feature you are sure to love is the fact that vinyl siding is super customizable. These offer many stunning styles, designs, textures, trims, shapes, and even embellishment options! Not to mention the array of vibrant color options you get.
Provides Return on Investment
Vinyl siding combines revolutionary engineering with beautiful designs. Since these do not peel, chip, or flake, you get to enjoy a gorgeous look throughout the year.
Plus, in-depth research suggests that vinyl siding installation ensures an excellent return on investment.
Vinyl Siding vs. Other Materials
Vinyl siding tops wood because of its low maintenance needs, easy installation, and the fact that it is unaffected by moisture, humidity, or critters. Although you get comparatively lower coloring options in vinyl, these do not fade away.
On the other hand, aluminum siding costs more than vinyl. Besides this, you have to worry about dents and scratches if you select aluminum. The drawback of vinyl siding, however, is that vinyl produces toxic chemicals during its manufacture.
Last but not least, vinyl siding offers comparatively better durability and energy-saving properties than fiber cement. Not to mention, it requires less maintenance. On the flip side, fiber cement is completely customizable since you can paint it any color you like.
How Do I Maintain my Vinyl Siding?
Wondering how to increase the lifespan of your siding? Here are simple ways you can achieve that:
Keep it Clean
If you want to ensure your vinyl’s beautiful look, you will have to clean it at least once a year. Here is how you can do that:
- Get hold of either a hose, sponge, or a stiff-bristle brush.
- Next, get a bucket of water combined with a mild detergent. You may use laundry soap or a TSP substitute.
- Now scrub the whole surface thoroughly.
- Just to be safe, cover your plants by utilizing plastic tarps to ensure the air pollution via your vinyl does not harm them.
Do not Grill Nearby
Ensuring your vinyl siding does not start warping or melting makes sure you do not frill too near it. In fact, it is recommended you grill at least 10 feet away from your house.
Avoid Hitting It
While it’s true vinyl siding is dent-resistant, weather changes can cause the material to weaken. In turn, if you hit it, it will acquire dents. Another thing you can do to protect the exterior is trim any branches near the siding.
Inspect it
It is easy to miss small cracks, holes, and inconsistent structure if you are not looking for it. To ensure you get repairs and renovations at the right time, be sure to inspect your siding every month closely.
Common Vinyl Siding Problems
Over the years, vinyl siding has received a spike in popularity. Moreover, it is revolutionized to meet homeowners’ siding needs best. Yet, there are still issues you might experience. These are as follows:
Cracking
Vinyl siding is super sustainable. However, the cold weather makes it vulnerable to cracking upon being hit. What may seem like an insignificant crack can grow into wider holes. In turn, your house may start collecting moisture.
Leaking
While vinyl itself is waterproof, it is not resistant to moisture issues. Besides this, installing vinyl alongside foam backing causes moisture to accumulate behind the siding. It leads to either rotting, molding, or mildew.
Noise
It is a no-brainer that your siding should not produce noise. However, unprofessional installation of your vinyl siding allows the windy and temperature changes to create noises.
Not just this, but improper attachment, i.e., the siding is too tight, can lead to cracking sounds. On the other hand, the loose installation will cause unpleasant rattling tones.
Warping and Buckling
Your vinyl siding may be safe from peeling and chipping. Unfortunately, it is susceptible to hot weather. Thus, if you install it in a comparatively hotter area, be prepared to notice warping.
While it may take a good couple of years to start showing and can easily be replaced, you will have to reinstall it multiple times. It may even lead to melting and buckling of the entire siding structure.
Melting in Cold Climates
On the other hand, homeowners living in particularly cold areas may observe melting. It is because people residing in cold climates generally invest in insulated glass windows.
These bend lights work similarly to magnifying glasses. Therefore, the sunlight may reflect off your neighbor’s window. The process leads to the melting of your vinyl siding.
May Reduce Curb Appeal for Buyers
Vinyl siding offers consumers an array of colors and style options; however, it is still plastic. It means homeowners looking for a wood-like appearance may be disappointed.
Not to mention, inappropriate installation makes areas where the siding bends or overlaps very obvious. Therefore, it is important to hire a professional and licensed contractor to ensure that you do not end up reducing your curb appeal instead.
Factors That Cause Vinyl Siding to Fade
No matter the kind of siding you employ on your house, you will likely contemplate when and how the material will start fading.
The major culprit behind the discoloration of your home siding is its oxidation. It is mostly due to exposure to harmful UV lights falling on your house. Naturally, it means that areas that receive a higher amount of sunlight will begin to rot faster. In turn, your house will start boasting an inconsistent and unattractive look. You may even notice a white, chalky substance atop your siding.
While fading is primarily a cosmetic issue, it can cause your structure to become brittle and fragile. Thankfully, the newest vinyl is engineered using revolutionary technology that leads to the manufacture of a tough substance. It means that while it is true your siding will eventually start fading, it will start showing after 10 to 15 years.
Factors Affecting the Lifespan of Your Vinyl Siding
Several factors can change how long your vinyl siding will last. These are:
Maintenance
The way you use your siding can make or break the material. For instance, if dirt and grime continue to accumulate on the surface, it will start leaving marks on your exterior.
In turn, your curb will notice an unappealing look and even, in some cases, buckling of the structure.
Thickness
Apart from the upkeep of your vinyl siding, the thickness can also either add or decrease the lifespan of your vinyl siding. In fact, the thicker the material, the more sturdy the product will be.
The Flexibility of Your Fabric
The flexibility of the material you choose will also affect how many years your siding will last. A material that can expand and contract with the temperatures or take hits better will obviously be a better option for some homes. Living in an area where temperatures can drastically change or having siding in high traffic areas are good reasons to invest in slightly better siding.
Signs Indicating it is Time to Replace Your Vinyl Siding
You must know what aging signs you should look out for to ensure you get any necessary repairs at the right time. Here is how you can spot them:
Cracks
Objects hitting your vinyl can cause cracks and dents. On the other hand, temperature changes can weaken it. On top of that, poor installation means the fitting is either too tight or too loose, making the siding brittle and easy to break.
These outward imperfections can really lower your curb appeal. Make sure you either repair or replace cracks as soon as you discover them. If not, prepare for further structural damage.
Rotting
Vinyl siding is unlikely to rot. The wood siding underneath it, on the other hand, is susceptible to rotting. If your siding is not appropriately installed, water will start seeping below. It causes fungus development of fungus, which leads to dry rotting.
However, rotten siding is neither too hard to pinpoint, nor is it challenging to replace. You may poke around areas where water seepage usually occurs to spot rotting.
Moisture or Leaking
Your vinyl expands and contracts. Thus, a waterproof barrier is installed atop it to ensure moisture does not enter your house.
In case it does, your home may fall victim to rotting, leaking, mildew, and molds. Often, you will notice this problem via peeling and chipping interior paint. In either case, it is indispensable you instantly get it repaired.
Melting
Both particularly hot and cold weather can cause your vinyl to start melting. Also, grilling too near your house can cause the structure to warp and buckle. Not to worry, melting and warping are pretty obvious imperfections. Be sure to get it checked.
Fading Paint
Vinyl siding comprises a fantastic polymer blend fused with an incredible PVC substrate to offer a sturdy and durable homogenous material. It means your end product features spectacular UV protection.
A darker color and increased exposure to sunlight can lead to discoloration. You may even have to deal with cracking, making it a pretty obvious sign.
Gaps
Gaps in any seams are gateways to compromising to the look of your home. Not to mention, these can allow the entrance of moisture and annoying critters and insects. Neither is a pleasant ordeal. Thus, you should repair them immediately.
Increase in Heating and Cooling Bills
If there are no visible signs of your home exterior in desperate need of repair, chances are, the multiple installations are eating up a lot of energy. Choosing a low-quality vinyl is a sure way to ensure inefficient performance, as well as a huge bill.
The Takeaway
Overall, vinyl siding is a top-notch quality exterior siding material offering an extensive range of styling, shades, and pattern options. Add that with the multiple benefits, and you have got your hands on the perfect siding.
While there are some downsides, you can further minimize them by hiring a professional. With the help of an expert, your home exterior will be installed appropriately while utilizing the best materials. Ultimately, a skilled worker will enhance the lifespan of any product you choose.
Above the Rest Roofing and Siding is a professional siding contractor serving the entire state of Connecticut. If you have noticed any of these signs and would like to ease your mind we offer free inspections and estimates. We will be happy to come out and walk your property for a comprehensive inspection and free estimate for any recommended repairs.