How Do I Know If It’s Time to Replace My Old Siding?

If you’ve noticed that your home’s exterior has been looking a little fatigued lately, it might be time to find a professional for siding replacement in Exton, PA. Most homeowners don’t truly understand how important their siding is in the long-term protection and safety of their home, but siding does a lot more than just look nice. 

With your siding being the first line of defense against things like pests, moisture, and energy loss, it’s important to know when it might be time for a replacement. In this post, we’ll go through some of the common siding red flags. This way, you’ll know how to decide for yourself if it’s time to contact a siding pro like RPC about what to do next.

Two Major Red Flags on Pennsylvania Homes

Cracks & Gaps

Temperatures in SE Pennsylvania can move alarmingly fast from freezing cold to warm humidity, resulting in substantial thermal expansion and contraction. When it comes to materials like wood and vinyl, they each move at different rates, which means differentials. These movement differentials can quickly split siding joints, pop nails, and more. 

This might not seem too bad at first glance, but even hairline openings let rainwater into the space between the siding and the boards. This water seeps into the wood, causing the sheathing—and sometimes even the structural framing itself—to begin to rot and weaken. If you see widespread cracking on your current siding, it may be time to schedule new siding installation for your Exton, PA home. 

Fading & Discoloration

Fading and discoloration are incredibly common with older siding. After many years of protection and exposure to our brutal PA summer sun, you’ll likely start to see panels become sun-bleached. This typically means two things: first, if the factory UV-protective coating on your siding is long gone, and second, sun-bleaching often causes brittleness, which means there could be substantial hairline cracks in the panels. 

Checking the siding on the south and west-facing walls and comparing it to the color on the north side of the home should give you a good idea of the degree of fading. If, after a wash, there’s still a big difference, it’s probably time to think about replacement.

Secondary Impacts From Damaged Siding

When your home’s primary defense from the elements is breached, it leads to an array of risks that all become realized simultaneously. First, there’s the initial moisture damage. This can lead to damaged paint and drywall inside the home, along with musty smells. 

Over time, this leads to trapped moisture and mold development in structural and insulating components. If unaddressed, this can escalate to soft spots, warped baseboards, or visible mold stains. 

One of the biggest issues you can’t see is the loss of energy efficiency. Worn-out or poorly sealed siding can be the reason it’s so hard to keep your bedroom warm in the winter, or why your AC has to work so hard in the summer.

Biggest Risks of Delaying Siding Replacement

Siding keeps out moisture, and the biggest risk of untreated moisture exposure over weeks is mold. This moisture feeds rot and mold over time, which can both threaten your structure and the health of the people in it. 

Pests are another potential hazard, and cracked siding puts your home at risk of infestation. Carpenter ants, termites, and even rodents can squeeze through the holes in the cladding to nest inside. There, they chew structural elements, electrical, and just about anything else they can get to.

Not all of the risks are direct threats to your home, though. Appraisers and potential buyers will look at the condition of the siding and factor that into their offers. Faded or old-looking siding will give the impression of neglect. On top of all that, insurance providers may actually deny exterior-related claims or increase premiums if they consider your aging siding a maintenance issue that you should have addressed previously.

Repair vs. Full Replacement: 5 Considerations for Homeowners

#1—Age of Existing Siding

Vinyl’s a great material, but even the best vinyl siding is going to have a maximum life expectancy of right about 25 years. If you’re near the limit, replacement protects your investment. 

#2—Extent of Damage

Isolated cracks on a single wall? Spot repairs are just fine. However, when you’re dealing with widespread warping or moisture stains across multiple elevations, it’s probably time to call someone about new siding installation in Exton, PA.

#3—Material Lifespan

Older asbestos or even hardboard products are just old, they’re safety liabilities. Upgrading to modern alternatives like fiber cement or engineered wood can deliver decades of performance.

#4—10-Year Cost

Frequent patchwork adds up, but a single well-planned project spreads costs over a much longer warranty period, while lowering energy bills the whole time.

#5—Curb Appeal ROI

Fresh siding can return a massive portion of its cost at resale, while boosting daily pride of ownership. 

Popular New Siding Options in Exton, PA

• Vinyl: Vinyl is the peak budget-friendly and low-maintenance option. It comes in hundreds of colors, and today’s materials resist fading much longer than older generations. 

• Insulated Vinyl: This vinyl insulation has integrated foam backing for a better R-value. It’s perfect for cutting down drafts and noise.

• Fiber Cement: Fiber cement blends high-tech cement and cellulose that looks like wood but cuts out many weaknesses, like vulnerability to rot, pests, and fire.

• Engineered Wood: This is real wood cellulose processed and pressed into panels with a wood look. These are lighter than fiber-cement and fit lots of HOAs.

• Stone Veneer Accents: Use these to add texture around entryways or foundations without the cost of full masonry.
  

Give Your Exterior a New Life With RPC

Since your home is such a substantial investment, it only makes sense that you know when to replace siding in Exton, PA, particularly in the context of our general climate. If any of the things we’ve talked about here are things you’ve seen on your siding, consider reaching out to a pro for a conversation. Contact RPC Services today for a full inspection and clear, no-obligation quote.