How Long Does Siding Last? Comparing Siding Types and Choosing the Best for Washington
If you are wondering how long does siding last, you are not alone. Many homeowners want to know if the siding on their house will keep their family and their investment safe from rain, snow, sun, wind, and fire. Let us talk about what different siding materials do and which one is the best choice for your home.
What Is Siding and Why Is It Important?
Siding is a special covering that goes on the outside of your house. It keeps out the wind and the rain. It helps keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. Good siding can also make your house look really nice. But every kind of siding has its own strengths and weaknesses. Knowing about the different siding options will help you find the right protection for your home here in the Pacific Northwest.
Average Siding Lifespan: How Long Does Siding Last?
One of the biggest questions people ask is how long does siding last. The answer depends on the siding materials you pick and how much you take care of your home. Every type of siding has an average lifespan which is how many years it usually lasts before you need to replace it or fix it.
Here is a look at how the most common siding options compare.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is made from plastic. It is light and pretty easy to install which is why many homeowners choose it. If you keep it clean and take care of it, vinyl siding can last about twenty to thirty years. It does not need paint and it will not rot, but it can crack or melt if it gets too hot or if someone hits it hard. Also, sometimes the color can fade after a few years if it sits in harsh sun all the time.
Aluminum and Metal Siding
Metal siding like aluminum is tough against bugs and will not catch fire, which is really important in areas that get dry. Still, aluminum siding can dent easily, especially if you have wild weather or you live by a park where kids play ball. It can also get chalky and lose its color from the sun. You might expect metal siding to last about forty years, maybe more if you keep it clean and repaint it once in a while. Some metal siding can rust if the paint gets scratched down to the metal, especially if your home is near the coast or somewhere really wet.
Wood Siding (Including Cedar Siding)
Wood siding, especially cedar, is really pretty. In the Northwest, a lot of homeowners love the way cedar siding looks on older or classic homes. The average lifespan of wood siding is about fifteen to thirty years, but this is only if you keep painting or staining it so the rain does not get in. Wood siding needs a lot of maintenance to keep water out and stop bugs from moving in. If you let water or moss get into cracks, wood siding can rot very quickly. If you do not want to spend time and money painting your house every three to five years, wood siding might not be what you are looking for.
Hardie or Fiber Cement Siding
A lot of people talk about Hardie siding, also called fiber cement siding, because it does not burn and bugs do not eat it. Hardie siding is made by mixing sand, cement, and fibers together. It is heavier and harder to install than vinyl siding or wood. The average lifespan of fiber cement is about thirty years if you repaint it regularly and repair small cracks right away. Here in the Northwest, people sometimes have issues with fiber cement siding because it can soak up water. When the siding stays wet, it can swell or crack, which means you might need to replace parts of it sooner than you expect. In our rainy climate, fiber cement siding is not always the best choice unless you are ready for repairs and regular painting.
Composite Siding (Featuring Our Evergreen Shield Siding System)
Now let us talk about something really different and special: composite siding. Builders Service Company sees composite siding as the best solution for the Pacific Northwest climate. The Evergreen Shield Siding System from Builders Service Company is not like other composite siding materials. It uses a special blend that stands up against rain, wind, and fire. In fact, Evergreen Shield is Class A fire resistant, which is the best rating for not catching fire. This is very important with wildfires happening more often during dry seasons.
Evergreen Shield Siding is also way ahead when it comes to water resistance. It does not soak up rainwater or let in the moisture that leads to mold or mildew. That keeps your home dry even when it rains for weeks, like it often does here in Washington. This siding has a strong insulating layer made from special graphite which helps keep your house warm in the winter and cool in the summer. That means you save money because your heating and cooling systems do not have to work as hard.
Have you ever noticed how some homes look faded or the siding colors start to peel? Evergreen Shield Siding is available in twenty colors that are built right into the material. These color choices will not chip, peel, or fade. You do not need to paint your house again and again. With this composite siding, you spend less time fixing your house and more time enjoying it.
The average lifespan of Evergreen Shield Siding is much longer than others. With the right installation and some simple cleaning, this composite siding can last over fifty years, even in our wet and wild Northwest weather. That is about twice as long as most other siding options.
What Does This All Mean for Siding Replacement?
If you are thinking about siding replacement or repair, it makes sense to pick a siding that stands up to rain, keeps out fire, and helps make your home more comfortable. While cheaper options like vinyl or wood siding can look nice at first, you may find yourself spending more on repairs and repainting. Hardie or fiber cement siding can have trouble with rain. Metal siding can dent and lose its color. None of these options give you as much protection or as little maintenance as Evergreen Shield composite siding from Builders Service Company.
How Can Builders Service Company Help?
Builders Service Company has been helping families protect their homes for many years. Our Evergreen Shield Siding System is designed just for Washington weather. We pick the right materials and use the best installation to make sure your siding lasts as long as possible. With strong insulation, beautiful color choices, and almost no maintenance needed, Evergreen Shield Siding makes your home safer and more comfortable while looking great for years and years.
If you want to know how long does siding last or if you want to see how the Evergreen Shield Siding System can work for your home, call Builders Service Company today. We are happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect solution for your house. Remember, your home deserves the best protection. Let us help you give it that shield.
