How Often To Replace Wood Siding

The most damaging element to cedar siding is moisture.

How often to replace wood siding.

Dry rot can be found when tapping on your siding with the rubber handle of a tool. Any exposed wood is susceptible to the elements that cause mildew swelling splitting and cracking. As long as the exterior paint is stable wood clapboard siding can last for decades. 10 signs its time to replace your siding 1 dry rot.

7 signs your house needs new siding it s a cruel fact. However all natural wood regardless of species eventually turns gray when exposed to years of sunlight. How to repair wood siding. The key is to detect.

Make the first cut with a circular saw. Decide which boards need replacing and where to make your cuts. Those factors that make home exterior siding so crucial are the same ones that undermine its performance over the long term. Though wood siding is very strong a sufficient physical impact can split and crack it.

Stagger butt joints if you re replacing multiple courses. 2 you keep repainting your home. However by waiting to replace the one or two rotten boards this problem can lead to more significant damage in time. Often only a few boards have to be replaced requiring the existing siding to be crosscut in place with a circular saw and removed.

Let s say every 5 6 years. If you re noticing a lot of external wear and thinking you should grab some paint and a brush check to see if there s any warping or cracking in the siding. Many people delay getting new wood siding when one or two boards are rotted out because it can be hard to match new materials to the wood species and the same look of the existing siding. Clear sealers are formulated to help slow the process that allows ultraviolet light to turn wood silvery gray.

While this may seem like regular home upkeep your siding should be able to retain its color for 8 to 10 years. Cedar siding is very durable against the elements but still requires regular maintenance and depending on the climate should be restained every few years. But even a hairline crack in the paint can introduce water and water leads to rot and mold. Repairing wood siding is integral to owning a home with wood siding.

Here s another sign that it s time to replace your siding. Bear in mind also that because the material naturally expands and contracts throughout the year homeowners with wood siding often need to redo the caulking around exterior window and door trim.