Vinyl siding is a great way to improve the look of your home. It’s affordable, durable and can increase the value of your house. But how long does it last?
This blog post will talk about how long vinyl siding lasts and if it ever needs to be replaced!
What is Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl siding is a synthetic material that comes in either panels or strips.
It’s attached to the exterior of your home with nails, screws or special glues depending on the style you select.
There are many different styles available including cedar shake and stone-coated steel lookalikes!
Longevity of Vinyl Siding Last
Vinyl siding is known for its durability. It can last 30 years or more depending on the style you choose and how well it’s maintained!
There are several factors that affect just how long vinyl lasts including exposure to sunlight, rain, cold weather and even animals trying to burrow under your home.
Factors that affect just how long vinyl lasts:
- How well the contractor installed it: The better they install, the longer vinyl lasts.
- Type of product and size: Vinyl siding comes in different grades and sizes, which will affect how long it takes for your vinyl to wear down or break off.
For example, a thinner piece of plastic could last three years while thicker plastic could last five.
- Quality of siding: The lower quality vinyl will not stand up to the elements as well, which means it will wear down faster than a high-grade product would.
- How often you clean your house’s exterior: If you neglect cleaning on a regular basis, dirt and grime can build up on your house and wear down the vinyl siding more quickly.
- How often you repaint: Repainting on a regular schedule will keep your home looking great, and it also helps with prolonging the life of your exterior by protecting it from sun damage and other elements that can cause paint to fade or peel off.
- The geographic location of your home: Parts of the country receive more extreme weather than other areas, which means siding could wear out faster.
- Location of vinyl on house: Exposure to sunlight can cause fast deterioration in certain parts that see a lot of it or are located next to an area getting sun exposure (such as near the front door).
- Areas where little to no sunlight falls, such as the back of the house or underneath a porch overhang will last longer.
- Condition of existing siding: Vinyl that is already deteriorated may need to be replaced right away because it can become damaged further by wind and weather if not repaired quickly.
- How often you use your A/C unit: If you use your A/C unit often, its indoor coil could freeze up.
- This causes the coils to ice over and heat will not be able to pass through it efficiently or at all.
- If this happens, replacing the entire unit is likely necessary because fixing the outdoor coil does little good if there is no airflow passing through it into your home.
Three Vinyl Siding Grades
The longevity of Vinyl Siding will also depend on the type of vinyl you’ve got. Vinyl is available in three grades, each with its own lifespan and recommendations for use:
- Standard Grade (S-GR) – This grade will last up to 15 years or much less when exposed to direct sunlight, but it may even only provide an average of five years of use.
- Premium Grade (P-GR) – Because this grade is more dense, it will last from 15 to 20 years or even longer when exposed to direct sunlight.
- It may also provide an average of ten years of use.
- Ultra Premium Grade (U-GR) – This premium vinyl can be expected to last more than 20 years, and it may provide an average of 15 or even more years.
- It offers the same durability as traditional fiber cement siding does when factoring in all weather conditions.
FAQs
Benefits of Vinyl Siding?
Vinyl Siding is a cost-effective way of adding curb appeal and value to your home.
The durability of the material makes it an attractive choice for homeowners who want their siding to last for years without having to be replaced.
It doesn’t require much maintenance beyond cleaning occasionally, which can easily be done with a garden hose or pressure washer.
Shading and Energy Efficiency?
Because it is a smooth surface, vinyl siding doesn’t provide the same amount of shade as other types of siding materials such as wood or brick.
This can cause your home to heat up more in direct sunlight during the summer months, but this problem can be easily fixed by adding trees near your home.
Maintenance? How can we keep our vinyl siding in good shape?
Vinyl siding is a low-maintenance material that doesn’t require the same amount of upkeep as other types of siding materials such as wood or brick.
It needs to be cleaned occasionally with a garden hose, and it requires absolutely no painting or staining so you won’t have to worry about scraping, sanding, or priming.
Cost? How Much Does Vinyl Siding Cost?
The cost of vinyl siding varies depending on the type and brand you choose to install.
However, it is typically cheaper than other types of siding materials such as wood so most homeowners find that choosing this option provides them with more value for their money.
Vinyl Siding Installation? How Do I Install Vinyl Siding?
Installing vinyl siding involves removing the old siding, installing furring strips around the perimeter of your home, attaching metal or plastic corners to secure the edges of each piece of vinyl siding together, and then nailing the pieces into place.
There are professionals that can install vinyl siding for you if you do not feel comfortable doing it yourself.
Vinyl Siding Repair? How Do I Fix Vinyl Siding?
Fixing minor issues with your vinyl siding, such as a cracked corner or ripped piece of the material usually requires replacement pieces that match perfectly in color and size to be ordered from your installation company.
The cost of these replacement pieces are usually minimal so you won’t have to spend much money on fixing issues with your siding.
