8 Vinyl Siding maintenance Tips for Your Home | New Windows for America

8 Vinyl Siding Maintenance Tips for Your Home

Vinyl siding is a popular choice for homeowners due to its durability, low maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal. To keep your vinyl siding looking its best and functioning properly, here are some top maintenance tips to consider:

Regular Cleaning

Periodically clean your vinyl siding to remove dirt, dust, pollen, and other debris. At least once a year, visually inspect the condition of the siding. Work one small section at a time, starting from the bottom and working your way up to prevent streaking. First, rinse the siding with a garden hose using a low-pressure spray. Next, wash the siding using clean water and mild dishwashing soap. Apply the solution with a soft brush, rinsing with a garden hose using a low-pressure spray. Make sure to rinse the soap all the way down to the bottom of the house. Spot clean and rinse the missed areas as needed. For more tips on how to clean your siding properly, click here.

Preventative Measures

To prevent mildew and mold growth, trim any overhanging branches or shrubs near the siding. Adequate sunlight and airflow can help prevent these issues. Siding should be kept free of excessive or constant sources of moisture, such as sprinklers and water runoff from gutters. Keep grills, fire pits, and other heat sources at a safe distance from your vinyl siding to prevent warping or melting.

Inspect for Damage

Regularly inspect your vinyl siding for signs of damage, such as cracks, dents, or loose panels. Address any issues promptly to prevent further damage and maintain the siding’s integrity. If your siding has gaps or cracks, it could let moisture into the walls and affect your home’s ability to control the temperature. When moisture penetration goes untreated, it eventually causes mold and rot, which could even damage the structural integrity of your home. If you are unsure about how to check for potential damage or inspect your siding, please contact New Windows for America.

Painting Restrictions

Most vinyl siding is not designed to be painted, as it is typically manufactured in specific colors. However, chips and small imperfections in the paint finish can be touched up with matching paint.

Proper Ventilation

Ensure that your home’s ventilation systems, such as soffit and roof vents, are functioning correctly. Proper ventilation helps prevent moisture buildup, which can damage your siding and compromise its appearance.

Gutter Maintenance

Keep your gutters clean and free of debris to prevent water overflow, which could damage the siding and lead to mold or mildew growth.

Seasonal Checks

Check your siding before the seasons start to change. Performing thorough inspections before and after extreme weather seasons, such as winter and summer, can help to address any issues that might have arisen due to temperature fluctuations, storms, or other weather-related factors.

Give the Grill Some Distance from Your Home:

Vinyl is durable to the elements, but it can’t withstand the heat from an open flame. Some homeowners will place their grills up against the side of their homes for convenience. Grills in use should be kept at least 10 feet away to avoid melting and warping vinyl siding. Additionally, keep your grill on a stone or brick surface. This safety measure will avoid catching fire to grass or shrubs, which could also damage your siding, or worse cause a full-blown house fire.

By following these maintenance tips, you can help extend the life of your vinyl siding and keep your home looking beautiful for years to come.

Is it Time for New Siding?

It may be time for a siding replacement if you see any signs that your siding is worn – such as warping, cracking, excessive mold, or dry rot. Contact the team at New Windows for America for a free in-home consultation with one of our local siding experts. We can help you find the best option and style for your home, and your budget.

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New Windows for America is a local and family-owned business for over 25+ years, installing a wide range of energy-efficient windows, doors, and siding. With our trained and professional installers, you can trust New Windows for America as your local window, door, and siding installer to perform a quality installation. We have a 5-star professional and knowledgeable team to help you choose the best windows, siding, and doors for your home, to fit your style, and budget.

Contact us today to schedule your FREE In-Home Estimate.

When Should You Replace Your Siding

When Should You Replace Your Siding | Siding Replacement | New Windows for America

Siding is your home’s first line of defense against weather and pests; acting like an exterior windbreaker while insulating and protecting your home. When siding starts to fall apart, it becomes quite unsightly and invites pests and moisture leading to larger problems. Replacing your home’s siding may seem like a daunting and large project, but if using the right contractor, and the right products, and depending on how long you live in your home, chances are you probably only have to do it once. Unfortunately, your home’s siding won’t last forever. So how do you know when it is time to replace your siding?

Here are some signs to look for when you think you may need to do a siding replacement.

Excessive Maintenance

Taking care of your Colorado home’s siding will help prolong the life of your siding. Does it seem like you continually must repair spots on your home’s siding? Scheduling an inspection or maintenance check on your siding should be done once or twice a year, while the cleaning and maintenance are left up to the homeowner. This can be quite a time-consuming project, and you may want to consider having a siding that is more low maintenance to make better use of your time with other daily activities.

Extreme Color Fading or Peeling

Curb appeal is important to you and your neighborhood. Once the color on the siding begins to fade it can become quite unsightly. Do you find yourself having to paint your siding more frequently because it is peeling? In Colorado, we have 300+ days of sunshine per year, and that sun can be brutal on our homes. If you had sun-damaged siding and replaced or repainted it several times, and the damage returns quickly, this may mean a structural problem.  There are options for sun-resistant vinyl siding, and fiber cement siding available in a variety of colors that don’t require constant maintenance and will retain their color for many years.

Cracks & Gaps

Cracks and gaps can be quite unsightly but can also lead to inviting in moisture or pests. The integrity of the underlying wood structure may be comprised or worn down. Water damage from rain, snow, or pests may contribute to some of the siding becoming loose. Although these small areas can be repaired as a short-term solution, it is recommended to replace damaged siding as soon as possible to protect your home, as well as the appearance of your home.

Rotting & Warping

Does it look like your siding is warped, buckled, or starting to crumble? This could be a sign of rot which can spread across the exterior. To test for rot, insert a screwdriver gently under the boards and joints around the gutters and chimneys. Is the area soft, and easy to poke into? This could be a sign of rotting damage. There are many new brands of siding like cement board or siding made from a vinyl composition that do not naturally decay when exposed to long periods of moisture. 

Damage from Pests or Storms

Large-scale damage from storms or small damage from pests can present themselves as larger problems if not repaired or replaced. The damage could allow moisture to get into and under the siding which could reach your home’s structural framework or mold growth.

Higher Energy Bills

Rising costs of electricity and temperature swings may not be the only cause of your higher energy bills. Older siding does not insulate your home as well, making your furnace and air conditioner work harder to maintain the temperature in your home. Air leaks and drafts are common in defective or old siding. It may be time to replace your siding if you find you are paying more for heating and cooling bills.

Benefits of Replacing your Siding

Your home can look dramatically different with new siding, enhancing, and upgrading your home’s curb appeal, as well as increasing the value of your home. Installing and upgrading your siding could make a big difference in eliminating drafts, as well as saving on your energy bills in the winter and summer months. Ask the Team at New Windows for America about the different types of siding we offer, as well as siding that is rated by Energy Star for efficiency advantages.

Ready to Get Started on Your Siding Replacement Project?

If you are unsure if your home’s siding needs to be replaced, call the team at New Windows for America. We have 25+ years of experience with installing windows, and doors, including siding installation, specifically suited for our Colorado climate. We can help you figure out whether you can repair or need to replace your siding. New Windows for America offers some of the industry’s best brands, including James Hardie Siding, LP SmartSide, and Crane Performance Siding to name a few. We are happy to work with you on finding the best siding replacement for your Colorado home and can offer you a free estimate and determine if your siding needs to be replaced.

Contact our New Windows for America Team today with any siding questions you may have!

Why Replacement Windows, New Siding, and Doors are More Affordable Than You Might Think

When you consider what replacement windows, fresh siding, and new doors can do for your Denver or Boulder home, it’s an easy choice to have them installed. But, for a lot of homeowners, it isn’t quite that easy – they are afraid of the costs that might be involved with a home improvement project, like replacing windows or doors, or replacing siding.

At New Windows for America we can certainly understand that. However, you should know that replacement windows, siding, and doors can be more affordable than you might think. Here are five quick reasons why:

  1. You don’t have to break the bank for quality windows, doors, and siding. Because we sell our products factory-direct, you don’t have to deal with middlemen or huge price markups. That means you can get high-quality windows, doors, and siding on a reasonable budget.
  2. Our products are Energy-Star® rated and are custom-fitted for your home by the qualified and trained staff at New Windows for America.
  3. Financing is available for qualified customers. You can give your home a fresh look and more energy efficiency without writing a big check. That’s because, in addition to our low prices, we offer financing for qualified customers. So, you don’t have to wait to make your home more beautiful, comfortable, and valuable.
  4. Windows, doors, and siding can last for decades. When you invest in quality home improvement materials and craftsmanship, it’s an expense that you won’t have to worry about again for a long time. Many of our products can last for decades with the proper care and maintenance.
  5. You can save on energy bills and tax incentives. Our customers love that our products can save them big on their utility bills month after month. In addition, the state government often provides tax rebates and incentives for making your home more energy-efficient.

If you want to find out exactly how durable doors and siding can fit into your home improvement plans and budget, please call us today at (303) 920-0175, or schedule your FREE in-home estimate. It only takes a few minutes, and our helpful team will be happy to answer any questions you might have without subjecting you to unwanted sales pressure.