How Often Does Siding Need to Be Replaced in Houston, Texas?

Your siding plays a major factor in your home’s integrity and curb appeal. It is more common for a homeowner to think about repainting the exterior of the house than it is to replace the siding of the home. What most do not realize is that you cannot have a quality exterior paint job without quality siding! So this begs the question, how often does siding need to be replaced in Houston, Texas?

Well, there are different types of siding available and each one has a different lifespan. In this article, we’re going to look into these the most popular types of siding and how often they need to be replaced on your home in Houston.

We are also going to discuss the different signs that homeowners should be aware of that could determine if the siding needs to be replaced.

Does the Type of Siding Effect When It Needs to Be Replaced?

Every type of siding has a different life expectancy. There are a few different factors that determine how long siding can last before needing a replacement. The biggest factor is the material the siding is made of. Some materials are more durable than others making them less likely to develop cracks or dents.

While other materials are more susceptible to water damage. Every type of siding needs to be routinely inspected and cleaned, especially in our hot and humid weather in Houston. Even contractors can affect how long siding will last based on how well they install it. Which is why it’s important to hire a professional siding contractor in the Houston area that has experience in installing the type of siding you want to have on your home.

Cedarwood Siding

Cedarwood siding is a natural wood siding made from red or white cedar. Cedarwood siding is beautiful and can give a home a warm aesthetic, but many cedar boards will need to be replaced every 10-15 years.

Cedarwood siding can last longer if it is properly installed and maintained. Since cedar is a natural wood it is very susceptible to moisture, especially around windows and doors. Moisture damage can be slightly prevented by painting or staining the cedar.

However, the paint or stain can fade, chip, and peel. Regular cleanings of cedar siding can help prolong its lifespan as it is prone to the accumulation of dirt and debris. That is why it is recommended to wash the siding 1-2x a year.

Engineered Wood Siding

Ideally engineered wood siding can last 15 years in Houston, but it can require a lot of upkeep, unlike other types of siding like HardiePlank, simply washing dirt down every 6 months for 10 years isn’t going to cut it.

The siding should be repainted every 10 years as this helps increase its durability and strength. Engineered wood siding is made of pressed thin strips of wood. These strips of wood were bonded together by a resin material.

The resin material does add a layer of protection against insect activity. Engineered wood siding does not peel or chip as easily as other sidings. However, it is known to rot faster than cedarwood when it is installed on a house in a wet and hot climate like Houston. This siding is also prone to cracking which allows water to seep into underlying surfaces. Therefore, if a homeowner lives in a wet and hot climate, they should not install engineered wood siding on their house.

Aluminum and Vinyl Siding

Both aluminum and vinyl siding can have a long lifespan with proper care and maintenance, but they do have some notable differences. Aluminum siding is a favorite among homeowners because it is a surface that can be easily repainted. This siding can last up to 40 years in Houston before requiring replacement, but it should be repainted every 5-10 years.

One of the drawbacks of aluminum siding is that it is prone to dings and dents from the outside elements such as hail. Vinyl siding was created as a substitute for aluminum siding and can last 20-30 years.

The greatest benefit of vinyl siding is that it does not require painting since the material is created with paint in it. Vinyl siding can still be dented from extreme weather conditions such as hail, but it stands up to scratching better than aluminum siding.

Unfortunately, vinyl siding has been reported to melt in extreme heat. Therefore, it is not a good option for homeowners in Houston, Texas due to the dangerous heat and moisture combination which is the perfect scenario to have for melting and deteriorating vinyl siding.

James Hardie Siding

James Hardie created their siding in the 1980s and it has become renowned for its durability, low maintenance, and wood look. This siding is designed to resist pests, mold, and weather damage.

The company also performed a fire test where the siding did not spread the fire, unlike wood or vinyl. James Hardie Siding products are designed to last at least 30 years, even in Houston where the weather here tends to be very hot and humid! However, with proper maintenance, James Hardie siding can last up to 50 years before needing a full replacement.

Their site has a list of recommended ways to clean their siding to help maintain its longevity and durability. Our team at Mr. Happy House is very familiar with this siding. We have installed James Hardie siding on countless homes in the Houston area, and never had any warranty issues since we started installing it over 20 years ago.

What are the Signs That Your Siding Needs to Be Replaced?

Not every homeowner knows when their siding was last replaced. However, there are some signs that can help you determine if the siding needs to be replaced. Rot, moisture damage, cracks, and gaps are all serious signs that should be addressed as soon as they are noticed.

While these may appear as eyesores to any homeowner, there could be more damage happening underneath the surface.

Even if the siding is not near its normal life expectancy, a contractor should investigate the siding as soon as possible. We at Mr. Happy House can repair and replace the siding on any house.

Rots and Signs of Moisture

Wood rot is a very serious concern in many homes in Houston. The type of siding on a house is designed to protect the interior of the house from the outside elements. That can be very difficult if the siding is rotting and falling apart. Rot and moisture do not only affect houses that have wood siding because moisture can get into any surface.

If a house’s siding has large cracks or holes, water could be penetrating the underlying surfaces. If there are signs of moisture inside the house such as peeling paint then the moisture has gotten to the drywall that lies underneath the siding.

A siding contractor in Houston, like us at Mr. Happy House can help determine the extent of the damage. The best way to prevent further damage is to replace the house’s siding in its entirety.

Cracks and Holes

Over time, any type of siding becomes weaker from the sun and plain old age. This weakening allows normal wear and tear to cause the siding to crack or look loose. Storms can also take a toll on the integrity of the siding.

When the siding begins to develop cracks and gaps it can not only become an eyesore but cracks and gaps also affect the structural integrity of a house. It is important to mention that some holes and cracks are formed by animals and pests trying to seek shelter.

Holes should be investigated as soon as they are noticed because if they are caused by a pest it can help stop an infestation and stop any more damage from occurring.

Performing Too Much Maintenance on the Siding on your Home

If you’re constantly performing maintenance on your siding, then it is time to replace it. Many homeowners do not know the last time their siding was replaced so they just continue to make repairs to it.

These repairs or frequent “maintenance” runs include repainting the siding and filling holes and cracks. Many types of siding can go at least 5 years in between paint coats (when the siding has been installed correctly and the exterior paint is of quality and applied correctly), but if the siding looks like it needs to be repainted every 2-3 years, then the issue here is not the paint, but the siding itself.

In the long run, replacing your siding in your Houston home, is the more affordable and stress-free route because if you’re having to constantly repair your siding every year, it will cost you so much more in the long run both in financial terms and on your own time and costs will continually get more expensive over time due to inflation and rises in labor costs, materials, etc.

This is why if you’re home in Houston has a problem with it’s siding, it’s better to get it replaced as soon as possible.

Conclusion

Different types of siding have different life spans. Engineered wood, aluminum, vinyl, and James Hardie siding all have a relatively similar lifespan of 10-30 years with James Hardie Siding being the one with the most durability & longevity out of all siding.

The lifespan and durability of siding are dependent on the material used, the contractor, and how well the homeowner maintains the siding. All siding needs some kind of upkeep like repainting, staining, or hosing with water.

No matter what siding is on your Houston house it needs to be routinely monitored for damage from the outside elements and pests. All siding can last longer than its expected lifespan if properly maintained. If your siding in Houston needs to be replaced or if you are unsure about replacing it, give our team at Mr. Happy House a call.

We can help determine if the siding needs to be replaced and we are familiar with replacing siding and repairing any underlying damage. We are trained professional siding contractors in Houston who will treat your house as our own and ensure the siding is properly installed.

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