How To Understand The Lifespan Of Your MN Siding

Your home’s exterior siding plays an important role in its curb appeal. Loose or missing bricks, dirty wood surfaces, or chipped vinyl siding can give the wrong impression of your home. It’s important to carefully choose the right siding material and keep up with any maintenance it might require.

The lifespan of your siding will depend on several factors, including the material it’s made of, how well you maintain it, and weather conditions. In this article, we shall highlight various siding options and what affects their lifespan in the Twin Cities.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is currently the most popular siding material for residential homes in the US, thanks to its low cost, long life, and low maintenance. And because colors are baked into vinyl panels, it is possible to achieve various wood looks, textures, and colors. Vinyl siding also comes with foam insulation to absorb the shock from hail or heavy downpours.

You can expect vinyl siding to last 20 – 60 years with low maintenance. Vinyl siding is resistant to high winds, moisture, and extreme temperatures. Vinyl can typically look like wood but is less expensive and easier to work with. It requires very little maintenance since it’s resistant to most elements that affect other types of siding like wood or cement board.

You can significantly extend the lifespan of vinyl siding by periodically washing it with a soft cloth and garden hose. Since it can dry dirty, be sure to use clean water to rinse it off. If you notice stubborn dirt or mildew lodged in debris, use a pressure washer and mild detergent.

With little effort in maintenance, vinyl siding will last up to 60 years. When you take good care of your siding by regularly cleaning it, you could enjoy up to 100 years of reliable performance.

Harsh environmental conditions in the Twin Cities can cause vinyl siding to lose its visual appeal after two or three decades. When exposed to extremely high temperatures or an outside heat source like a grill nearby, vinyl siding can warp or fade over time. Heavy gauge vinyl siding will, however, keep their color for longer.

Engineered Wood Siding

Similar to vinyl siding, you can expect engineered wood siding to last 30-40 years. Engineered wood siding is manufactured from composite wood. Typically, composite wood is compounded with different fibers and strands of a myriad of woods to create the finished product.

You can find engineered wood siding in 4 foot by 8 foot lap panels or sheets, as well as in embossed or smooth textures. Engineered wood provides the natural look of wood while eliminating the obvious flaws of wood siding – it is resistant to rot and deterioration.

The only downside of engineered wood siding is it is relatively more expensive. However, it is cost-effective to install and maintain. Moreover, engineered wood is resistant to moisture, rot, and pests.

To maintain engineered wood siding and extend its lifespan past 40 years, you only need to rinse it with a power washer at least once a year to remove loose dirt. With moderate maintenance such as periodical painting, your siding will remain preserved and attractive for over four decades.

Cement Board Siding

Cement board siding requires moderate maintenance and will last between 25 – 40 years. While cement board siding is more durable than engineered wood siding, it requires some maintenance to retain the aesthetic appeal longer. It is resistant to moisture, pests, and flames.

Warranties on cement board siding often range between 25 to 50 years, but some products come with a limited lifetime warranty to allow for warranty transfers when you sell your home.

The only area of your cement board siding that requires maintenance is the paintwork. You’ll need to repaint your siding every 5 to 15 years depending on the weather your siding has been through. The factory finish comes with a 15-year warranty, but on-site painted siding may fade in as early as 5 years. Strive to wash your siding at least once every year with a garden hose. Keep plants near the foundation pruned to keep your siding dry and free of rot.

Exposure to harsh weather conditions like rain, hailstorm, sunlight, and extreme temperatures are the primary factors that eat away at the lifespan of siding. If you live in the Twin Cities, Midwest Roofing, Siding & Windows is your one-stop-shop for all types of siding. Contact us today and let us help you choose the right siding for your home.

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