Siding is a crucial aspect of any home, not only adding to its aesthetic appeal but also providing protection from the elements and acting as a barrier to prevent snow, rain, and harsh winds from seeping into your house. It also serves other purposes, like deterring moisture, dirt, and insects.
Whether you are building a brand-new house or renovating an already existing one, expert siding installation is essential to ensure durability, longevity, and your home’s overall curb appeal. So siding is important, but it is vital to know how it should be installed. That makes the biggest difference, as poor siding installation can backfire and have detrimental effects on your house over time, so knowing how and who to choose to trust with the installation is vital. This guide will go over some of the basics you should be familiar with when enhancing your home with expert siding installation, things you should watch out for, and so on.
Functions of Siding
To begin with, we should know what function siding serves. Well, it has several important purposes, beginning with its architectural value. After a house is framed, it is sheathed with something called a particle board, but as this particle board is not moisture-resistant, it must be properly protected. Often, you will see tar paper or house wrap being used to create a waterproof barrier and add an extra layer of insulation. However, this wrap, in turn, needs to be protected as well.
There are different types of siding available, such as aluminum, vinyl, or wood panels, that provide this protection. Some are more durable than others, while others perhaps offer more aesthetic value. Of course, sidings are available at various price points. So, if you simply want to hand over the responsibility to experts who will take care of everything for you, leaving you with no worries about your siding, then that is also an option.Â
Siding can also have great cosmetic value, of course, and you have a wide range of materials to choose from, depending on where you live, your personal tastes, and what your budget allows. According to the team behind KV Construction LLC, each type of siding has its benefits and negatives that you have to examine too. For example, wood siding gives your home a classic, beautiful look, but it does require ongoing maintenance as it needs to be stained or painted to maintain that appearance. Also, it needs to be treated to prevent rot from setting in. One affordable and low-maintenance option is vinyl, as the installation is pretty quick for any decent siding contractor, and the finished look is visually pleasing as well.
Poorly Installed Siding Effects
Just because a siding contractor claims to be capable, professional and the best in the business does not make it so. It is incredibly important that you choose the right contractors for the job to prevent any expensive complications from occurring. Unfortunately, the majority of homeowners won’t even be aware of the damage caused by poor installation until the siding is removed at some point later and you discover extensive damage to the house’s structure. Some wear and tear over time is normal, but badly installed siding can drastically shorten its lifespan amid a range of other issues.
Age is another thing, which all types of siding show differently. Wood, for example, will show signs of warp or rot, while vinyl has signs of solar weathering. Depending on the type of siding, you can expect its lifespan to last upwards of 20 to 40 years or even more. Now, if the siding is badly installed, its lifespan will be drastically shortened, and it will show its age prematurely in the form of gaps, buckling, unevenness, or waviness. When you see this happen, you will need to have the siding replaced.Â
Signs of Poor Siding
Well, how can you figure out that the siding was poorly installed? There are signs you can look out for, like the nails for example. Are they exposed, rusty, or even missing? If you see that the nails have popped out, that may have been caused by contracting and expanding or movement in the siding. The presence of rusty nails signifies damage by moisture, which may also be seen around the seams and joints. When your siding is caulked properly, it should appear nearly seamless, while poor caulking can lead to uneven or shifted panels. In the case of wood paneling, you may notice the chipping prematurely, and with vinyl siding, it may simply fade.
One of the biggest problems caused by badly installed siding is water damage. If the siding is not properly interlocked, water can seep through the gaps and affect your home’s interior. The biggest signs of water damage are discoloration or streaking on the siding, although in some cases, water damage cannot be seen from the house’s exterior, which is not good at all, especially as the damage can affect its underlying structure, which is worse, and if the moisture sits long enough, it can spread to your home’s interior. Once the moisture has seeped through your exterior walls, it can affect everything, from the insulation inside your walls to the interior drywall, so keep your eyes open like a hawk.Â
Why Professional Siding Installation?
Siding installation really isn’t a DIY type of deal you can hammer out yourself in one or two lazy afternoons and then forget about. As we have established, whether your siding is installed properly or not can have far-reaching effects and consequences on your entire home, and unless you absolutely know what you are doing on a professional level, it is just better to hire professionals. They have the experience and skills to ensure your siding is installed properly, minimizing mistakes and ensuring optimal performance. They also have access to the high-quality materials necessary and are qualified to recommend the best options for you based on your budget and preferences.
Professional installation also eliminates the need for trial and error, which means you save time and prevent potentially expensive mistakes. They can also provide you with peace of mind, as many professional installation contractors offer warranty coverage on their workmanship. Professionals are also aware of building codes and regulations, making sure the installation meets all requirements. Safety is another thing you want to consider, as installations can be quite dangerous, especially when working at heights, and professionals have the necessary safety training and equipment to mitigate and minimize any risks. The longevity of the siding is also a factor, as professionals minimize the need for repairs or even replacements down the line.Â
Maintenance Tips
Things you can do to prolong your siding’s lifespan include regular cleaning, obviously, removing debris, dirt, and mildew buildup with a mild cleaning detergent and water solution, and regularly inspecting your siding for signs of any damage, like warping, discoloration, and cracks. Repair when needed and promptly to prevent further damage and maintain the siding’s integrity. If your siding is painted, touch up any faded or chipped areas to prevent moisture from seeping in and protect it from UV damage. In general, just keep an eye out for anything abnormal around your home and do closer inspections once in a while, and you should be fine.Â
Preparations
Once you have locked in on a contractor, take some time to prepare before they pull into the driveway. Trim the trees and shrubbery around your house, and cut or mow the grass, as this will make it easier for the contractors to find any nails or staples that get lost during their work. Also clear any garden furniture, lawn equipment, and portable plants from your home’s exterior, so the workers have free space to work without constantly bumping into things. During the installation, your interior walls may start to shake a bit, so it is a good idea to remove shelves, or at least the things and pictures on them, to prevent them from falling and breaking.
It may also be helpful for the workers if you clear your driveway to allow them better access to your house, and moving your vehicles away will also prevent them from getting damaged by falling debris. Additionally, obviously, keep your children and any pets away from the work site so they don’t get in the worker’s way or get hurt. Before they arrive, make sure you ask them for any other instructions or things you should do or not do, and so on.
A good siding can be a fantastic investment for your home, offering not only curb appeal and appearance but also actual benefits for it, as well as protection from elements, dirt, etc. While some siding can be installed on your own, it is usually much more advisable to just hire professional contractors for the job, as it saves not only time, energy, and headaches but also money in the long run. They know what they are doing to prevent mistakes from happening while doing it by yourself can lead to serious issues down the line, which may make their way into your house if not resolved quickly.