Are you considering installing vinyl siding on your home? Are you wondering what the most common issues with vinyl siding are? Vinyl siding is a popular choice for many homeowners. It’s easy to install, relatively low-maintenance and can give your home an updated look and increased curb appeal.
However, there are some potential issues with vinyl siding that you should be aware of before taking the plunge. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at 13 issues with vinyl siding so that you can make an informed decision about whether or not it’s the right choice for your home.
Common Issues With Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is a popular choice when it comes to home improvement projects. Despite its many benefits, there are some common issues with vinyl siding that you should be aware of before you decide to install it in your home.
Let’s take a closer look at 13 common issues with vinyl siding.
1. Fading
One of the most common issues with vinyl siding is fading over time due to exposure to UV rays from the sun. The plastic material used in vinyl siding can fade over time, resulting in an unsightly appearance on your home.
This can cause discoloration or even complete loss of color in certain areas. To prevent this issue, make sure that the siding is made from high-quality materials and that it is installed in accordance with manufacturer instructions. Most vinyl siding produced today includes some type of UV protection to prevent just this issue, but it was a more common issue at one time.
2. Warping And Buckling
Another issue that can occur is warping and buckling due to exposure to extreme temperatures or moisture build-up underneath the panels. If your vinyl siding warps, this can result in gaps between panels as well as uneven surfaces on your home’s exterior walls.
To reduce the chances of experiencing this issue, make sure that your siding is properly installed and sealed. You should also regularly check for any signs of warping or buckling so that you can address the problem quickly if it does occur.
3. Moisture Problems
Moisture build-up can be another problem with improperly installed vinyl siding. If it isn’t properly sealed or if there are inadequate seals around windows and doors, water can get behind your vinyl siding. Moisture build-up behind vinyl siding can lead to mold and mildew growth and other issues over time, which can damage the integrity of your house.
It’s important to make sure that your siding is properly sealed so that moisture doesn’t get trapped behind it and create this issue. You should also make sure that there are adequate ventilation systems in place in order to reduce humidity levels inside your home.
4. Noise
Another common issue with vinyl siding is noise transfer from outside sources, such as rain or wind hitting the side of your house or cars driving by on the street below. This happens when vinyl siding vibrates against its mounting system instead of staying still like other types of sidings would do. This can obviously be disruptive and distracting for anyone in the home or around it.
To reduce noise transfer through your walls, make sure that your walls are insulated properly before installing the siding, and use sound-dampening materials like foam blocks behind the panels when possible. You can also try sealing cracks in vertical seams and caulking around gaps to reduce noise levels associated with vinyl siding. Even as simple a solution as this can make all the difference in reducing–or eliminating altogether–the unpleasant noise your vinyl siding may be making.
5. Cracking
Over time, particularly in areas where temperature fluctuations are extreme throughout the year (such as cold weather climates), vinyl siding may begin to crack from expanding and contracting too much during temperature changes. It’s important to identify if the cracking is cosmetic or related to a structural issue, as this will determine how it needs to be fixed.
To prevent cracking from occurring in these climates, consider choosing a thicker option when selecting your paneling material or opt for another type of exterior material altogether, such as wood paneling or brick veneer sidings instead. If you have noticed any crack in your vinyl siding, it’s best to contact a professional soon so you can take care of the problem and know that your home remains safe and secure on the outside.
6. Melting
In desert climates, temperatures can sometimes get high enough to actually melt your vinyl siding! This can even occur in cold climates, where many people use insulated glass windows that can bend and concentrate sunlight like a magnifying glass. A concentrated beam of sunlight reflected from your neighbor’s window can mar your vinyl siding with an unsightly burn mark.
Another cause of vinyl melting is when it is exposed to high-heat sources such as barbecues or bonfires. To avoid this issue altogether, keep your grills and other heat sources at least three feet away from your home’s exterior walls at all times.
7. Pest Infestation
Any type of siding that is supported by wood framing is susceptible to pests, and vinyl siding is no exception. Unfortunately, some pests, such as carpenter bees and termites, love getting behind vinyl siding in search of food or shelter.
This type of infestation can be difficult to spot until it’s too late, so make sure you inspect your home regularly for signs of an insect issue before it becomes a major problem. Trimming back any trees or shrubs near your house will also limit their access points into your home’s exterior walls.
8. Roof Issues
Roof upkeep is vital to maintain your house’s structural integrity, including safeguarding your vinyl siding. Any moisture that comes in as a result of missing shingles or roof damage can weaken the stability of your siding over time.
Staying on top of any maintenance and repairs for your roof will help keep all components protected from outside elements and guarantee optimal functionality from your vinyl siding. If you need tips on repairing your siding, be sure to check out our blog post on how to fix vinyl siding.
9. Lack Of Maintenance
Vinyl siding needs proper maintenance and care, just like any other type of siding, whether it’s wood siding or fiber cement. Improper maintenance can lead to problems such as fading, cracking, or warping over time.
To keep your vinyl siding looking its best for years, make sure you clean it regularly and check for signs of wear and tear. If you notice any issues, act quickly to repair them before they become more serious.
10. Improper Installation
If your vinyl siding isn’t installed correctly, it may not last as long as it should. Proper installation requires skill and knowledge, so make sure you hire an experienced professional contractor who is familiar with this type of work.
Make sure they use correct techniques, such as overlapping each piece properly and using adequate fasteners to ensure maximum durability and protection against the elements. Not having your siding installed correctly can lead to a host of other vinyl siding problems, including many of the issues we cover in this blog post.
11. Damage From Weather (Dents & Chips)
Weather can cause damage to your vinyl siding over time, including dents and chips caused by hail or strong winds. To protect against this kind of damage, make sure you choose a high-quality product designed specifically for your climate zone. Additionally, check your gutters regularly to ensure they are clear of debris which can cause water build-up around the edges of your home and cause damage over time.
12. Not Environmentally-Friendly
Vinyl siding is made from petroleum-based products, which makes it difficult for vinyl siding manufacturers to create an environmentally friendly version without sacrificing quality or performance. If having a green or sustainable product is important to you, consider using other materials such as wood siding or fiber cement instead of vinyl siding, which will have less impact on the environment while still providing good protection against the elements. That being said, some types of vinyl siding are recyclable.
13. Low-Quality Appearance
Although vinyl siding has come a long way since it was first invented, there are some people who still associate it with a lower tier of siding. In fact, the appearance of some cheaper types of vinyl siding can start to look dated after a few years due to fading or discoloration caused by sun exposure or harsh weather conditions.
To avoid this problem, opt for higher-quality products that are designed specifically to protect against UV rays and other environmental factors that can cause discoloration over time. You can also look into painting options if you want a more durable solution that will also add color and texture to your home’s exterior design scheme.
Get Your Siding Installation Done Perfectly By The Experts At Urban Exteriors
While there are several common issues associated with vinyl siding, the key takeaway here is that if installation is done correctly with high-quality materials, then these issues can be avoided altogether! That’s why choosing an experienced contractor who knows how to install vinyl siding correctly is so crucial when you are investing in your property’s exterior renovation.
If you have any concerns about vinyl siding or would like more information, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us. We would be happy to answer any of your questions. Fill out our contact form today, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.