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During the summer season, you might notice that your New England siding isn’t in the best condition. But the truth is that no one wants to tend to siding maintenance when there are fun activities to do, like heading to the beach, barbecues, and bonfires. The good news is that this summer vinyl siding guide for New England homeowners can make your exterior maintenance a breeze, especially when you upgrade to vinyl siding replacement with professional vinyl siding contractors.
Summer Siding Inspection Checklist for New England Homeowners
What are the signs that you need new siding? In this summer vinyl siding guide, there are some obvious (and not so obvious) indications that a new siding installation is in order. These include:
Peeling and Chipping Siding: Frequent Re-Painting
Are you frequently painting your wood siding? When your home needs painting every 5 or 6 years, this is a sign that you need new vinyl siding or James Hardie® installation. Homes closer to the water need more frequent paint jobs costing you money every few years.
Remember…you never own a paint job! Good quality house siding maintains its shape and color and lasts for a lifetime!
Typical Problems with Painted Siding
- Paint that is peeling away from the siding
- Chipping paint is a result of humid summers and moisture buildup throughout the year.
Peeling and chipping siding are indicators of replacement, but another consideration is cracking in the siding and loose panels. Switching to wood looking vinyl siding or fiber cement can prevent these problems. New England homeowners get peace of mind when installing maintenance free siding that looks like wood!
Cracked, Loose or Missing Siding Shingles
Loose and cracked panels present problems with the siding’s structural integrity. Cracked and loose siding must be replaced with new vinyl siding or James Hardie® installation.
Here’s what to do as part of your summer siding inspection checklist:
- Look closely for large or even hairline cracks that are present on your cladding.
- Take a look underneath broken or cracked siding to make certain that there has not been additional, and possibly extensive, damage that will need to be repaired. You might find issues such as wood rot or even termite damage.
Peeling Paint or Loose Wallpaper Inside the Home
Did you know that there are interior signs that your siding is failing? Most homeowners don’t consider peeling paint or loose wallpaper when their siding fails but be mindful of this sign.
It may not be immediately obvious to all homeowners, but peeling paint or wallpaper that is pulling away from a wall inside of a home can be symptomatic of faulty siding.
In fact, poor quality siding allows moisture to seep its way underneath the panels. From here, it can percolate through the wallboard. Eventually, this will cause significant damage to the interior walls of a home.
Aesthetic Options: Wood-Look Vinyl and Color Selection
For homeowners who love the appearance of wood but want low maintenance, vinyl siding that looks like wood siding offers the perfect solution. Modern exterior vinyl wood siding technology has advanced significantly, providing realistic wood grain textures and authentic color variations. Additionally, custom vinyl siding colors and hardie siding colors give homeowners endless possibilities to create their dream exterior.
Working with experienced James Hardie siding installers or vinyl siding contractors ensures proper installation techniques that maximize both the appearance and performance of your chosen materials. Whether you select the best vinyl siding for house applications or opt for James Hardie fiber cement, professional installation is crucial for long-term success.
High Energy Bills
Pop quiz: how much energy is lost through the exterior walls? The answer is up to 35%!
Poorly performing siding is often not insulated properly (or at all). This means that you may experience high energy bills during the summer and winter. So, what’s the fix?
Choose vinyl siding that has insulated panels. This will help keep the energy contained in your home, as the siding will insulate down to the wood studs.
James Hardie® siding can also help save energy with HardieWrap®, serving as an insulating barrier that protects against moisture damage.
Rotting or Warped Siding
In this summer siding inspection checklist, rotting and warped are some of the most ominous signs of siding replacement. If you discover warping, and especially rotting, you need to contact a siding contractor.
How to Find Moisture Damage in Your New England Siding
Try the screwdriver test: Take a screwdriver along on the inspection. Look specifically for warped siding or for rotting boards or other damage to siding material.
Try the screwdriver test: Take a screwdriver along on the inspection. Look specifically for warped siding or for rotting boards or other damage to siding material.
Poke under any siding that has warped. If the screwdriver pushes through the wood, this is a surefire sign that the siding needs immediate replacement.
Keep in mind that rotting and warped siding is not able to properly protect your home from the elements. This means that moisture damage will only become worse over time. Keep in mind that vinyl siding and James Hardie® siding are both incredibly resistant to moisture damage and rot!
Choosing the Best Siding for House Protection
When evaluating your options for siding replacement, it’s essential to consider what constitutes the best siding for house protection in New England’s challenging climate. James Hardie contractors and vinyl siding contractors can help you determine whether exterior vinyl wood siding or fiber cement is the right choice for your home. Fire resistant siding options are available with Class-A fire ratings!
If you need help choosing the best siding for house protection against summer storms, moisture, and pests, contact us for a free consultation.
Fungus, Mold, or Mildew Growth
Did you find fungus growth on your siding? You don’t want to take this situation lightly. When mold and mildew grow on your exterior, it’s a major sign of moisture damage. Meanwhile, the fungus eventually eats away at the siding panels.
Fungus mold, mildew, and algae can appear as black streaks, black or green patches or green and slimy buildup.
If you discover fungus growth in areas near seams in the siding, you likely have a water penetration problem.
Many homeowners we see are tired of maintenance and painting siding over and over again. They love their new maintenance-free vinyl siding with transferable lifetime warranty!
Home Siding Contractor Near Me: See Our Summer New England Siding Transformations
Looking for some inspiration for your home this summer season? We have an entire gallery of siding projects that will give you ideas for your own upcoming siding installation. Browse through some of these local siding projects to learn more:
Frequently Asked Questions About Summer Siding Replacement
Does new siding increase home value?
Yes, new siding installation can significantly increase your home’s value, often providing an excellent return on investment by up to 118%! Quality siding materials like James Hardie fiber cement or premium vinyl can boost curb appeal and property value while reducing future maintenance costs.
How often should siding be replaced?
The lifespan of siding depends on the material and quality of installation. Vinyl siding typically lasts 20-40 years, while James Hardie fiber cement can last 30-50 years or more. Wood siding may need replacement every 10-15 years depending on maintenance and climate exposure.
How to tell if siding needs replacement?
Key indicators include frequent painting requirements, visible cracks or warping, interior moisture damage, high energy bills, and fungus growth. Any of these signs suggest it’s time to consult with professional siding contractors for an assessment.
Can you replace just pieces of siding?
While it’s possible to replace individual sections, matching existing materials can be challenging due to weathering and product changes. A siding contractor near me can assess whether partial replacement is viable or if full siding replacement would be more cost-effective long-term.
See Your Home for Free in 3D with New House Siding
We hope this siding inspection checklist for New England homeowners helps you this summer. We’re offering a fun freebie for New England homeowners looking for new house siding. At your free estimate, we’ll provide you with a free 3D preview of what your home will look like with new house siding!
Contact Coastal Windows & Exteriors today for your free estimate on your next home improvement project and discover how our summer vinyl siding guide expertise can transform your home’s exterior.