Siding

Inspecting a home's siding

In this article, I will discuss the following topics:



Siding's role

If the roof is the home's umbrella, then the siding is the raincoat, wind jacket, and sunscreen. Along with the roof, the siding provides the first line of defense against the environment. Siding should be installed and maintained to adequately shed water, prevent moisture intrusion, and resist extreme weather conditions. Poorly installed/maintained siding may lead to wet insulation, rotted joists, and pest intrusion. 

The good news- maintaining siding is relatively cheap, and a chore most homeowners can perform on their own. 

The bad news- replacing siding is expensive, especially if repairs are needed to joists and/or insulation.


Types of siding

There are many types of siding. I will cover the most common types I see regularly.

Wood Siding

I do not see a lot of whole-house wood siding, but cedar shakes (pictured left) and lap siding are common on gable ends, usually above stone or brick. Wood rot and insect damage are common reasons wood is often passed up. Even cedar needs to be resealed every 3-5 years, or it will begin to rot. If maintained, it creates a beautiful accent on many homes in the area!

Composite wood siding 

Composite siding is made of wood and a bonding agent. The wood ranges from sawdust (Masonite) to oriented strands (OSB). Masonite is a cheap product that is highly susceptible to mold and swelling without maintenance, while LP SmartSide, which uses OSB, comes with a 50-year limited warranty. Similar to wood siding, composite siding comes in shakes, lap, and vertical formats.

Masonry veneer 

I rarely see load-bearing masonry walls, except concrete block foundations. Masonry includes brick, concrete blocks, stone, etc. These walls are installed one unit at a time and are bonded with mortar. Masonry is extremely porous and heavy, requiring careful installation. These walls are relatively easy to maintain, but the most common issue, repointing the mortar, is not a DIY project.

Vinyl Siding

Vinyl is a relatively affordable siding. Installed correctly, it can provide quality protection for years. Installed incorrectly, it may begin to buckle or look like the picture shown. It is made of plastic, is versatile, and installs quickly, lowering labor costs. The siding locks onto the panel below/beside it and is fastened loosely to allow for expansion. The siding is especially susceptible to high wind and impact damage, so point the mower away!

Fiber cement siding 

Fiber cement siding usually looks like wood siding, but can easily be distinguished by tapping on it. Fiber cement is made, as the name suggests, using cement and fibers. The most common on the market today is James Hardie. Working with fiber cement siding requires extreme caution: today's products are much safer, but they are similar to the asbestos siding of the past. This is only a concern when the boards are cut. These products absorb moisture, so maintenance is a must.

There are many other sidings used today and in the past that are not as common in my area such as:

Common defects homeowners can spot

Spotting defects requires a keen eye. I encourage homeowners to have their homes regularly inspected by a professional. Between inspections, homeowners should monitor their homes for changes and contact their inspectors with any questions that they have. 

Homeowners can spot common issues using the following steps:

The most common issues homeowners should look for are:

This list is not exhaustive and should not be treated as such.


Maintenance Tips

Have your home inspected. You will be better educated on what items need regularly maintained for your home's siding. Good intentions do not always create good outcomes. I'll provide an example. 

A homeowner notices a gap under their window. He fears it will allow water to enter his home, so he caulks and sleeps well that night. Three months later, he notices the window sill is completely rotted. He has the sill repaired, and the contractor informs him that by caulking the bottom of the window, he trapped any moisture that did get behind the siding. 

That scenario is completely fabricated but provides an idea of why knowledge is needed before performing basic maintenance. Once you have the knowledge needed, follow these tips:

This list is not exhaustive.


When to call in a professional

Here are some reasons to call in a home inspector for further evaluation/advice or a qualified siding contractor:


I hope this article was helpful and I encourage every homeowner to take responsibility for their home's condition. If you have questions, feel free to reach out!


Joseph Phelan                 Phone- (918) 530-6833            Email- jphelan@superiorjoes.com