Siding Maintenance Guide
Your siding provides long-term protection against the elements for your home while also playing a key role in its curb appeal. And since having new siding installed requires a significant investment, you’ll want to do everything possible to ensure that you’re taking the proper steps for maintenance and upkeep. No matter what type of siding you’ve selected for your New England home, there are steps you can take to prolong its lifespan in the local climate, which can be unforgiving. Here are the most popular types of siding on today’s market, and their maintenance needs:
Vinyl Siding
Far and away the most popular choice among homeowners, vinyl siding is loved because it’s comparatively inexpensive, easy to maintain, and can be insulated to improve a home’s thermal performance. It’s also able to handle impacts from wind-blown debris without suffering damage.
Vinyl siding is relatively simple to keep up with. You’ll likely only need to clean it once a year using a hose and a cloth or a soft sponge to remove any dirt and prevent mildew growth. If you decide to use a cleaning product on your vinyl siding, be sure that it’s mild so it doesn’t damage the finish. If your vinyl siding is cracked, you should replace the panel to ensure continued moisture protection.
Wood Siding
It’s hard to beat the natural aesthetic offered by wood siding, and it’s also one of the best options in terms of energy efficiency. The downside with wood siding is that it requires a lot of upkeep and can be susceptible to fire, moisture, insects, woodpeckers, and more.
If you select wood siding for your home, you’ll have to be ready to put in some extra effort to keep it looking new. Not only will it need to be cleaned every year to remove dirt and mildew, but you’ll also have to re-stain or repaint it every few years. This is important to maintain its appearance as well as its resistance to moisture intrusion. If water seeps into wood siding, it can swell and start to rot prematurely. Also, if a section of your wood siding has rotted or been damaged, you’ll need to replace it promptly.
Composite Siding
Composite siding is often manufactured using recycled scrap wood that is compressed and bound with resins or other materials. It’s a good option for homeowners who want the look of natural wood but want their siding to last longer.
Composite siding usually comes with a protected finish that helps its color stay vibrant despite exposure to sun, rain, ice, and snow. Cleaning is relatively easy with a gentle brush, though it’s recommended that you brush in the same direction as the grain of the siding and ensure that any type of mild cleanser is washed off completely. Avoid using a high-pressure hose.
Fiber Cement Siding
Fiber cement siding is made using cement, sand, water, and cellulose fibers. It’s a little more expensive than many other products on the market, but it offers exceptional durability and isn’t affected by moisture, insects, and fire. It also doesn’t expand or contract during extreme temperature swings.
Fiber cement siding manufacturers recommend that you clean your siding every six to 12 months with a garden hose or a soft brush. A mild detergent can be used for stubborn stains, and a pressure washer can be used if the pressure is kept low and you stay at least six feet back.
Metal Siding
In terms of durability, it’s hard to match metal siding. It’s also come a long way in terms of aesthetic appeal, as there are a variety of options that mimic the look of natural wood.
Using a power washer annually is the recommended cleaning method for steel siding, and stubborn stains can be removed with a non-abrasive cleaner. If steel siding is scratched, you should prime and paint over them promptly to prevent rust.
New England’s Siding Installation Leader
If you’re interested in having new siding installed on your New England home, you can’t go wrong if you partner with NEWPRO. We’ve been a local home improvement leader since 1945, and we offer vinyl and composite siding options that are engineered to stand up to the local climate. Our Energy Wall Siding Systems are virtually maintenance-free and are backed by Neopor® insulation, which gives them an R-value that’s up to 19% better than comparable siding products.
All of our installations are performed by highly trained technicians, and we back our siding with a generous life-of-the-home limited warranty. How’s that for peace of mind!
Contact NEWPRO today if you’d like additional information about the high-performance siding options we offer to New England homeowners.
