Siding
Siding is the weather barrier for the walls of a house. When it fails, the visible damage is usually the least important part: what matters is whether water has reached the sheathing and framing behind it.
A replacement is a good moment to inspect and correct what is underneath, including house wrap, flashing at windows and doors, and insulation. Those details decide how the wall performs for the next few decades.
Availability
Hire Best Pros is not connecting people with siding professionals yet. This page is here as background reading while we work on it. Everything we do cover today is listed in our service directory.
What people usually need
- Full siding replacement in vinyl, fiber cement, wood or engineered wood
- Partial repair after storm or impact damage
- Trim, soffit and fascia replacement
- Window and door flashing correction
- Adding insulation or a rain screen during replacement
- Repainting or refinishing existing siding
What to weigh before hiring
What happens behind the siding
Ask whether the quote includes replacing damaged sheathing, new house wrap, and corrected flashing. A quote that only covers the visible panels can grow substantially once the wall is opened.
Material trade-offs
Vinyl is the least expensive and lowest maintenance. Fiber cement is more durable and heavier, with a higher installed cost. Wood looks best and needs the most upkeep.
Warranty and installation
Most manufacturer warranties depend on correct installation. Ask who honors the labor warranty and for how long, separately from the product warranty.
Common questions
- Can new siding go over old siding?
- Sometimes it is possible, but it hides any damage underneath and can complicate flashing. Removing the old material lets the contractor inspect and correct the wall.
- How long does a siding replacement take?
- Most single-family homes take several days to a couple of weeks, depending on size, material and weather.
Related reading
- What happens when water damage goes ignoredStains, odors, warped trim and peeling paint are early stages. Here is how water damage progresses and where to look for the source.
- Which home improvements bring the best returnWhere remodeling money tends to hold its value, where it does not, and how to decide when you are staying rather than selling.
- How to find air leaks around your windowsStraightforward ways to locate draughts around windows and doors, which fixes are homeowner work, and when the leak is really a sign of a failing window.