One of the first things that people notice about your home is its exterior appearance. The status of your siding can make a big difference when it comes to curb appeal. Whether you are getting ready to sell your home or just want it to look great, it may be time to think about repairing or replacing your cladding. Deciding whether you can get away with some repairs or will need to commit to a complete replacement can be a bit of a daunting task, however there are some basic guidelines that can help simplify the thought process.
How to decide whether to repair or replace siding
At Total Aluminum, we repair and replace home exterior siding based on your needs and preferences, respecting your budget. If you’re in Hamilton, Burlington, Oakville and area – give us a call to discuss your needs and get a no obligation quote!
Often, repairing your siding will be a much more cost-efficient option than replacing it, however it’s not always the best choice. Considering how big of a job the repair is, what your end goals might be and what kind of budget you are dealing with can help you decide whether the time is right to repair the problem areas or replace some or all of your siding.
It’s worth repairing your siding when there’s:
Small sections of mold or mildew
If you notice the presence of mold or mildew early enough, the affected sections can be cleaned and repaired before the problem gets too out of hand. The key in this instance is to ensure that you’ve replaced whatever leaks led to the mold and mildew in the first place, or you’ll just leave yourself at risk of having the same thing happen again.
Dents, chips, cracks or holes
Small holes, chips and cracks in your siding can be a magnet for moisture and bugs to make their way into your home so they’re something you want to deal with quickly. If the areas are small, they can often be easily repaired. Even if the crack or hole is larger it can often be remedied by replacing a single panel, and not requiring the entire siding to be replaced.
Loose or damaged boards or panels
If just a small section of boards or paneling is loose or damaged, you can usually just repair the sections that need it without replacing the whole thing.
Best to replace your siding when:
Maintenance is getting excessive
If you’re finding that there are repairs needed every year or more, it might be a sign that your current siding just isn’t doing its job anymore.
Signs of water damage
Any signs of rotting, bubbling, mold or fungus growth is an almost guaranteed sign that you need to replace your siding. Water damage is rarely an isolated situation and replacing all of your siding will allow your contractor to track down the issue at the source.
You don’t like the colour or material
While you can paint most kinds of cladding, you may find that it’s a wiser choice to just replace it. Some materials don’t take as well to painting and you may end up with a much better result if you choose start over with a more modern colour or material.
Interior damage
Even if the exterior of your home looks great, if you spot signs of moisture or water damage on the inside of your walls there is no doubt that there are issues with your exterior siding.
Bills have increased
If your heating and cooling bills seem to have increased, whether suddenly or gradually, your siding is likely failing at its job of keeping your home secured from the elements.
Weather damage
Over time, your siding can show signs of weather damage like cracking, peeling or fading. Elements like the sun, wind, rain, frost and snow can all do a number to the quality of the material. Exterior cladding materials do have a life span so if they are clearly showing wear, it’s likely time to replace it.
Replacement when you can repair is often done anyway
The reality is that when some homeowners detect the signs of aging, they often will elect to replace their home siding even when repairing a section might do. The reasons are many and may include a want for an aesthetic overhaul, to avoid having to do the work later (and skip the current repair expenses). Often, this relates to one’s financial situation and budget considerations, amount of time they plan to stay in the home, or seniors or those in declining health who want replacement to last “forever”.
