Poor Siding is Costly in the Winter

The winter months are an especially tough time for homeowners. There’s the snow, ice, and heavy winds to contend with—not to mention keeping up with shoveling and de-icing your driveway and sidewalk.

What about your siding? When your home exterior is not adequately protected, it’s not only uncomfortable, but you end up spending more than you should on heating. You might not think much about it in warm weather, but as you get into the coldest months of the year, these problems glare at you or scream for attention.

Don’t end up making rushed decisions that are not expensive or inexpensive bandaids because they may lead to more problems. Here is a guide to the cost of siding in winter.

First Understand the Problems of Old Siding in Winter

Old siding has many problems which become more disturbing in winter. The most prominent issue is that it does not insulate your home as necessary. Secondly, it’s difficult to replace it due to the harsh weather conditions, which can affect installation costs. It means you’ll have to contend with the issues until the weather is friendlier. 

Other prospective issues include:

Missing Siding Panels

Storms might lead to loose and missing siding panels. Remember, your siding has weakened over the years while protecting your home from the elements. Strong winds and snowfall might detach the existing siding from your house, leaving your household inadequately insulated.

This issue may also lead to moisture retention, mold growth, and overall damage. Additionally, it makes your house look old and unkempt, which does not help your overall curb appeal.

Punctures

Holes in the siding can lead to other problems such as pest infestations and exposure to the elements that can lead to mold. Like you, pests will be looking for places to shelter away from the harsh weather. The holes offer excellent entry points, and as you know, it’s harder to get rid of pests in cold weather than when it’s warm.

Note that any holes or punctures will only get worse in winter. If you notice any holes, cracks, or punctures in the siding, call an expert to either repair or replace them before the issues get worse.

Moisture Retention and Damage

Old siding may not effectively eliminate moisture, leading to damage and mold growth. If you start to notice rot, discoloration, and warping. Look out for ice dams on your roof as they may cause water to collect on the siding and eventually damage it.

Why It’s Harder to Fix Siding Issues in Winter

It’s not easy to transport siding materials such as vinyl siding to your home in winter weather. Delays, stalled, or slowed processes mean that you can’t have your installation on time and it is more labor-intensive.

You might have to spend more, especially on transportation, or wait longer before you find a transport company willing to offer the services in harsh weather.

Additionally, fixing house siding when temperatures are low increases the chances of cracking or buckling, which means you might have to redo the job later when it’s warmer. The cold would even limit your options on the type of siding. Highly experienced contractors can handle winter siding installations, but it’s not recommended and that expertise could also affect the cost of what you expect to pay for the project.

Note that some siding contractors also close operations when the weather is too harsh. Trying to get a contractor or shipping company when your siding is falling off in winter might be quite stressful.

Advantages of New Siding

Installing new siding has many benefits. These include:

Improved Insulation

You’ll spend less on heating and cooling your house when it’s adequately insulated. 

Some siding options include:

• Vinyl siding
• Cement Board Siding
• LP Smart Siding

Remember to also insulate the windows, roof, flooring and check for spaces that lead to drafts.

Easier to Repair and Maintain

New siding will last longer, and it’s easy to repair since you can replace just the damaged parts. You’ll also have the option of choosing better, more durable materials than what you currently have.

More Attractive Siding

New siding will give your home a more attractive look and feel. You can also choose siding that complements the style of your home and offers complete protection from the elements. The siding can increase your home value.

Prevent Water Damage

Water retention is a huge concern, especially in winter. New siding is stronger and capable of repelling water and snow. It reduces the chances of having leaks or holes that can cause water damage to your home.

New Siding Will Protect Your Home from the Elements

It’s much more likely that you’ll get an extended warranty with new siding since it’s more durable and will last longer. These factors make it less likely that you’ll have a problem with your home from the elements.

Improves Your Home Security

There’s no doubt that your home will be more secure with new siding. It’s more resistant to vandalism and easier to secure, making it less appealing to thieves. You’ll have more peace of mind, ensure your household is protected, and save money too.

Avoid Material Price Hikes and Delays in the Spring

As the supply chain of manufacturing materials continues to worsen in 2022, now is the time for a prudent homeowner to start planning your spring projects.

The supply chain shortages will affect the delivery time for your requested materials and push the demand up, resulting in more costly materials. This was also the case in 2020 when material costs rose by over 300%. If you need to note a great return on investment for your new home siding project, then you must ensure that the cost is down to a minimum. Now is the best time to get your free quote before the material delay and price hike.

Plan ahead

While no one wants to entertain the idea of a cost increase and more delays, especially when it comes to home improvement, there is an advantage to knowing this now. “Forewarned is forearmed,” as the phrase goes.

With the knowledge of additional delays and overall costs in the coming future, prudent planning is critical. Working closely with your contractor now on your home’s spring plans for new windows or new siding can save you money and stress in the long run.

Homeowners looking to improve their home’s energy efficiency, curb appeal, and more next year should start planning now. 

Are You Looking for Roofing and Siding Experts?

When you want to replace your home’s siding or repair the roof, we have been the company local people trust since 1957. Contact Dick’s Roof Repair for a FREE Estimate on new siding for your home.

Our experienced craftsmen offer the highest value for your money and provide professional guidance that will ensure your roof, siding, windows, and more serve you long into the future. Reach out to us today with spring improvements or repairs, and we’ll provide expert solutions.