Have you been thinking about vinyl siding but not sure about its upkeep? One reason it has been the most popular home covering since the 1950’s is its low maintenance.
You will be pleased to know that it is very easy to maintain compared to other exterior coverings.
When vinyl was introduced almost 60 years ago, it was offered as an alternative to aluminum siding which was the favorite back in the day. Durability is what made aluminum popular, plus it was economical. Many homes used wood pre-World War II – it looked great but it was vulnerable to damage. Hot sun, termites, and wet weather are wood siding’s enemies. To keep a house protected, wood siding needs a lot of upkeep.
Wood Siding Needs Repainting
To protect wood from the all the harsh elements, painting is frequently necessary. But before you can even begin painting, you need to scrape, sand, patch, and prime. And it most likely will need re-caulking around window and door openings and other areas. It’s not a quick and easy job. This takes at least a week, and in a couple of years you need to repeat this process. Rot sometimes still sets in despite a homeowner’s best efforts, requiring a rip-out and replacement of portions that were decaying. And if you’re not up for doing it yourself, count on spending upwards of $5,000 or more for a new paint job every few years, depending on your area and the size of your home.
Aluminum Siding Has Drawbacks, Too
Aluminum siding doesn’t require as much maintenance as wood. It is a great insulator and keeps bugs out, and it doesn’t get damaged from the weather like wood does. It’s durable but dents easily if thicker panels are not paid for. Hail can wreak havoc on aluminum siding. This siding also gets chalky quickly, needing repainting.
Vinyl Siding’s Convenience
There is no chipping, chalking, or flaking with vinyl siding;through and through it is a solid color. It needs very little maintenance.
Some homeowners only hose their vinyl siding off at times, and others do not even do that. It depends on how dirty your siding gets. Rain may keep it clean, but if you live in an area that’s prone to dust, an occasional rinse may take care of it. Diligent homeowners, however, may choose to use a power washer to remove more debris and dirt. Be careful water does not get blasted under the panels or mold and mildew can set in. If you have a home with only one level, homeowners can use laundry detergent in a bucket and a mop to clean areas that are seriously dirty. If your home is multi-level and the siding is very dirty it is best to hire a professional.
Vinyl siding’s color should hold up for years, but if you get tired of its look and want a new color, it can be painted, but this is a job that’s best left to professionals.
Window Outfitters is your go-to exterior home improvement contractor for all of the vinyl siding needs that you have. We are a licensed MN siding company serving the entire Minneapolis metro area.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
