The siding on a home is the base of defense against the outside elements that it comes into contact with. And here in Minnesota those elements can be extreme - hail, wind-driven rains, heavy snows, and more. Because of this, you need to make sure your siding is in good condition. Along with your roof, your siding forms the most important protection for your home, so keeping it in good working order is crucial.

Do you know how to determine whether to repair or replace the siding on your home? Here are some tips and tricks to make sure you know when the time comes to repair or replace the siding. You don’t want to end up with damage that could have been avoided.

How to Know When You Need Either Siding Replacement or Repair

This is one of the most commonly asked questions we get, because a lot of homeowners do not know when they should repair or replace the siding on their home. The answer depends on the siding, its age, the home, and the issue that you’re faced with. Whatever the problem, if your siding is coming to the end of its expected life, we generally recommend a replacement rather than investing money in repairing something that hasn't got much more use left in it.

Concerns with Wind Damage

Minnesota has harsh winters, and with the cold temperatures and snow comes wind. And it's not uncommon to get high winds along with spring rainstorms. Plus summers bring straight line and tornado force winds in some areas. This means that siding takes quite a beating. If your sidinghas suffered damaged by the wind, you may see missing or bent sections. Sometimes whole sections have lifted away from the house.

If it's just in a small area and your siding is relatively new, a repair might suffice. But if it is extensive or your siding is older, replacing it might make more sense. And while you're doing so, consider using steel siding this time. Steel siding generally doesn't see damage from winds. And because we install a seamless product, the wind can't get in cracks and lift it away from the house.

Warping

Some siding options such as James Hardie fiber cement or steel siding resist warping, but others like vinyl are susceptible to it, especially on sides of the home that get a lot of hot sun. This means that if you see warped areas, it might be time to replace those sections. But vinyl siding is notoriously difficult to color match if it's older, so you may be better off with replacing it all rather than just the damaged section. But if it's new, repair could work - check to see if your siding is still under warranty.

Bird and Pest Damage

If you have pests like insects or rodents that are climbing in beneath the siding, then the damage might go deeper than what you can see. They might have left holes on the outside of the siding, but you actually have to remove sections to see if there is damage underneath. Sometimes repairs can be made if the damage is minimal. If your siding is older, we suggest you consider replacing it instead with a siding product that is resistant to pest infiltration and damage, like our seamless steel siding. Fiber cement siding is another option.

Ultimately, the wisest course of action is to have a licensed, reputable Minnesota siding contractor inspect your siding and evaluate its condition and recommend either repair or replacement. The right siding on your Minnesota home will make a difference.