Replacing the siding on your home is one of those projects that most homeowners would rather ignore. It’s a daunting and time-consuming task, not to mention the expense that goes along with it. However, waiting too long to replace old siding can lead to other issues that may cost more in terms of time and expense.
It can be challenging to determine when it’s time to replace worn-out siding. You see your home every day, so you probably don’t notice slight changes from one month – or even one year – to the next. However, if you’ve recently driven up to your Leawood, Lee’s Summit, or Liberty home and thought that it looked a little tired and faded compared to the neighbors’ houses, it may be time to take a closer look. It may be time to replace the siding.
Call In the Experts
Energy Pro Windows and Siding is the company to call in Kansas City if you suspect you’re in the market for new siding. We specialize in siding installation and siding replacement. We’re always happy to come out and help you take a closer look. We can spot signs that indicate that your siding is wearing out; we’ll also look for any damage that may have already occurred because of worn-out or broken-down siding. Then we’ll help you come up with an action plan to get your home back in tip-top shape and ready for the next season.
High-quality vinyl siding can last up to 50 years. That’s a long time, but many houses in Overland Park, Prairie Village, and Olathe are older than that and may never have had the siding replaced. If your home is over 20 years old and you have no idea when the original siding was installed, you may be a candidate for siding replacement.
Replace Old Siding Promptly
The experts at Energy Pro agree that it’s critical to replace old siding as soon as it starts showing signs of wear and tear. There are several reasons for this. Read on to learn more.
#1. Cracks and bowing let moisture in.
If you walk around your house and notice cracks or gaps in the siding, this is a sign of trouble. Cracks, gaps, or splits let moisture pool up under the siding and penetrate the walls of your home. If the moisture doesn’t dry out between rains, you’ll eventually end up with mold and mildew. This creates an unhealthy environment for you and your family, and may also cause unsightly black blemishes to appear on the walls. Any sign of mold or mildew, either inside or outside, should be checked out by professionals as soon as possible.
#2. Wood siding rots out.
If you have an older home with wood siding, make sure you examine it regularly for wood rot. Similar to what was mentioned above, wood rot is caused by moisture getting trapped underneath the siding, causing the wood to rot. You can spot this problem by looking carefully for black, spongy spots in the siding. Window and door frames are the most common culprits because there are so many joints that need to be sealed. If this wasn’t done correctly when your home was built, you might now be experiencing the effects of moisture damage. Get this situation checked out right away.
If you love the look of your wood siding, consider replacing it with vinyl siding. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of finishes to match your existing siding. Many of them look so much like real wood, your neighbors won’t know the difference!
#3. Worn down siding hurts the energy efficiency of your home.
Siding is designed to trap conditioned air inside the home. This means your heat stays inside during the winter, and cooled air stays inside during the blistering month of summer. Old siding is not as energy-efficient as newer siding is. Technology has advanced significantly in this area over the past two decades, and putting new siding on your home can decrease the amount you spend on utilities during the coming years.
There are many types of siding available on the market these days, and Energy Pro carries a good selection of top name brands, brands like Haven® Insulated Siding by Royal, Jamie Hardie® Siding, and Royal® Woodland Siding. Whether you’re looking for standard vinyl replacement siding, insulated vinyl siding, or fiber cement siding – all of which increase the R-value of your home and keep you comfortable all year long – Energy Pro has it.
#4. Blistered or faded siding hurts your curb appeal.
Just as a new coat of paint eventually fades regardless of how high-quality it was to begin with, siding does the same. The color fades because of harsh sunlight and exposure to rain, wind, snow, and hail over a long period. And just as materials and design technology have moved forward exponentially, so has color technology. Today’s high-quality siding comes in colors and finishes that act as a sunscreen, reflecting the sun’s rays away from your home and helping control temperatures inside.
Curb appeal is important; you don’t want to be “that house” on your street that calls attention to itself in a negative way. Fresh new siding makes your home stand out above the rest. And should you decide to sell, you’ll have the advantage. Modern color technology has advanced to the point that many siding manufacturers offer lifetime warranties on their color palettes. Some even extend the warranty to the next owner.
#5. It keeps you out of trouble with the city.
Many cities have specific codes and regulations when it comes to the type of siding allowed in some of their neighborhoods. Many of these codes are in place to help maintain a consistent look within the neighborhood, while others are implemented for safety reasons. Replacing your old siding as soon as you notice the need may help you avoid a fine – or worse.
Energy Pro received a call recently from an Overland Park customer who was on the verge of being fined and having his property condemned by city code enforcement officials because of the condition of his old siding. Our team was able to get the issue fixed within the week, saving his home and preventing him from paying hefty fines.
Call Energy Pro Today
If you suspect you have siding damage, get it checked out by professionals as soon as possible to mitigate any other impacts to your home. Energy Pro has been the hometown siding company for folks in Prairie Village, Leawood, Liberty, Overland Park, Olathe, Lee’s Summit, and Kansas City for 16 years. We can help you determine what’s needed to protect your home and keep it secure, comfortable, and looking good for the next 50 years.
