When Should I Replace My Siding?

Keeping your side in good condition is important to protecting your biggest investment - your home. In Calgary, we have had progressively more extreme weather and hailstorms. Many homeowners have been reaching out to us trying to understand whether it's better to repair or entirely replace their siding. So, we'd like to help Calgarians by letting them know when they should replace their siding.

For the last three years, Calgary has been seeing more and more hailstorms. The extent of the damage caused by hail can be a couple of holes, or the entire house is riddled with hail bullets. How much damage your home takes will be based on the material of your siding and the intensity of the storm. Most new homes are built with vinyl siding, and vinyl siding is very vulnerable to hail.

Keeping your side in good condition is important to protecting your biggest investment - your home. In Calgary, we have had progressively more extreme weather and hailstorms. Many homeowners have been reaching out to us trying to understand whether it's better to repair or entirely replace their siding. So, we'd like to help Calgarians by letting them know when they should replace their siding.

Most of the time, if the damage is minor, such as a few holes, it can be repaired with filler or by replacing individual siding panels. If your siding is older or the damage is more extensive, a replacement will be necessary. The reason why older siding is better off being replaced is that the siding itself is reaching the end of its life and it is likely to be more cost-effective to just replace it. It's also possible that the type and color of your siding is no longer available, and a repair would leave your siding looking mismatched. In addition, if your siding is made from vinyl further hailstorms will just cause more damage, so upgrading to a hail-resistant siding product will save you future stress and money.

1. Rotting Siding: Siding made from wood or organic materials can be susceptible to rotting, especially in very moist environments. If you've ever seen rot on wood before, you know that it can compromise the structural integrity of your siding, this makes it very easy for it to break, tear off, or become a breeding ground for pests and mold.
2. Insects: Older wood siding is also vulnerable to damage from insects that want to make a home in your siding. These pests will often tunnel through your siding and cause damage to your home's structure. Signs of insect damage are usually small holes or sawdust in or around your siding.
3. Warping and Buckling: Over time, the siding will warp and/or buckle, particularly if it has been exposed to moisture or sudden extreme weather fluctuations as we get in Alberta. This can create gaps in your siding that will allow air and moisture to get into your home.
4. Mold and Mildew: If your siding has been exposed to moisture for an extended period of time, it can develop mold and mildew. This can not only damage your siding, but it can also pose a health risk to you and your family. If you notice signs of mold or mildew, it's important to replace your siding and address the underlying moisture problem.
5. Appearance: The design of your siding might not age well, or it can lose color over time. Or, you might just really like the modern design of James Hardie Siding products. Either way, if you are tired of looking at the dated siding on your home, replacing it is the perfect way to not only give it a fresh look but to also give your home added protection from Calgary's extreme weather shifts.

You're probably wondering how to tell if your siding has a problem, other than noticeable exterior damage there are a few other ways to tell if your siding needs to be looked at by a professional siding contractor.

1. Visible Damage: You're looking for signs that your siding may have cracked, warped, or had some other form of physical damage to it.
2. Moisture Problems: Moisture in your home or in your attic can sometimes mean that there is a problem with your siding. This often manifests as moisture seeping into your walls or roof through cracks or other small openings in your siding.
3. High Energy Bills: If your ATCO or ENMAX utility bill has been increasing, this can be due to your siding no longer providing adequate insulation from the cold. This is often seen in older siding that is losing its effectiveness. 
4. Fading or Peeling: Over time, the color on your siding may start to fade or peel, this can make your home look dated or in disrepair.
5. Age: After 20 - 30 years, most siding needs to be replaced, even if it's not showing signs of damage or wear. This is because siding often deteriorates over time, especially when subjected to extreme weather.

There are many signs or reasons why you should look at getting your siding repaired or replaced, so make sure to inspect the exterior of your home at least a few times per year. Doing this will let you notice any damage to your siding early, and save you from a potentially higher repair bill later. If you do see one of the above signs, remember it is better to consult with a siding contractor before making any decisions. Just make sure to select a well-reviewed and ethical siding contractor.