Vinyl siding is far and above the most popular exterior covering among American homes. This product is relatively affordable, lasts a couple of decades (in most cases), and comes in many colors and styles. Over time, however, vinyl can be susceptible to warping, cracks, and discoloration, especially in humid climates like the Carolinas. If the time has come to replace your siding, but you’re on the fence about paying an installer, this guide should convince you that you need to take the plunge sooner rather than later!
- Water issues – As soon as your siding gets cracked, warped, or even dented heavily, there’s a risk of water damage. Rainwater can seep through even a tiny opening, ultimately damaging insulation, studs, and drywall just behind your siding. One way to tell if water is trapped beneath your siding is to look for bubbles in the vinyl. This is a major red flag.
- Interior paint or wallpaper damage – Remember, in the majority of homes, siding is separated from the interior walls by nothing more than insulation. If water has worked its way inside of your home’s walls, it will likely cause wallpaper and paint to start to peel and discolor. This is a blatant indication that it’s time to invest in new siding as soon as possible or you run the risk of having to repaint or re-wallpaper even more spaces.
- Expensive heating and cooling bills – If you’ve noticed a spike in your energy bills all year long, the odds are good that your siding needs to be replaced. Higher heating and cooling bills usually mean that air is escaping from your home, often through the walls. By investing in new siding, you will save a great deal of money in the long run, not to mention you’ll keep your family more comfortable.
- The appearance of mold – If you notice mold or mildew growing on the edges of your home’s vinyl siding strips, there is almost undoubtedly water seeping underneath of them. Mold and mildew thrive in moist, dark areas, like the space behind the siding. Although some mold and mildew can be harmless, it’s not worth risking a major infestation, such as an invasion of black mold, inside your house.
- Curb appeal is key – Whether or not you plan to put your home on the market anytime in the near future, curb appeal is still important. It can raise your property value and increase your pride in your house. Old, neglected siding certainly doesn’t do a house any favors. If you’ve started noticing that your home looks run down, new siding might be just what it needs.
- Letting it go will cost more – The longer you ignore the fact that you need new siding on your house, the more money you’re probably going to have to pay. Investing in new siding early will help you avoid major structural problems, like rotten studs, which could cost thousands and thousands of dollars to fix.
The Hatch Homes team would love to work with you to find the perfect vinyl siding solution for your family and lifestyle. There are many options on the market and going it alone can be overwhelming. We love helping clients like you transform their homes and we look forward to meeting you soon!