Maybe you’re building a home from scratch? Perhaps your current home is in need of some updates? In any case, you’re looking for new siding.
And while there are a number of different materials available to you, you’re currently interested in vinyl. The question you have, however, is: how long does vinyl siding last? That depends on a number of factors, all of which we’ll discuss in this article.
Without further ado, here’s everything you need to know about the lifespan of vinyl siding in Champaign, Illinois.
How Long Does Vinyl Siding Last: The Averages
Vinyl siding could last 15 years, or it could last 60 years. It’s all about the conditions in which it exists, and in the upkeep that it receives. As far as the average lifespan goes, vinyl siding will generally last around 40 years.
Once it reaches this point, its color will start to fade and its structural integrity will begin to become compromised. From that point on, its quality isn’t going anywhere but down.
Sure, you might get a few more years out of it. But it will need to be changed sooner rather than later. Failure to change your siding in a timely manner could result in damage to the structure of your house, something that could cost you thousands in repairs.
Factors That Affect Vinyl Siding Lifespan
There are numerous factors that could affect the lifespan of vinyl siding. We’ll discuss these factors in detail below.
Precipitation
Perhaps the most influential factor in vinyl siding’s lifespan is precipitation. The more rain and snow with which vinyl siding comes into contact, the more deterioration it will suffer. As such, vinyl siding in rainy areas like Mobile, Alabama will deteriorate much faster than will vinyl siding in dry (but only moderately sunny) areas like Cheyenne, Wyoming.
Here in Champaign, we get moderate rainfall. For this reason, vinyl siding tends to hold up fairly well.
Sunlight
Not only does precipitation cause vinyl siding to eventually warp, but so too does sunlight. As such, the sunnier your area, the more deterioration your vinyl siding will face.
Arid climates (like those found in Nevada, and Arizona, and Southern California) are typically wholly inappropriate for the use of vinyl siding. The sun quite simply burns too bright and would wreak havoc on such siding were it to be exposed to it on a regular basis.
In Champaign, we, again, receive only moderate sunlight. As such, vinyl siding tends to perform fairly well in our area.
Physical Trauma
Because it exists outside, siding is vulnerable to all types of physical trauma. And because vinyl siding can crack and puncture, this physical trauma can have a seismic negative effect on its lifespan.
Whether it be from falling branches, overgrown shrubbery, flying baseballs, or general roughhousing, it will impair your siding’s structural integrity. The more its structural integrity becomes impaired, the faster it will deteriorate.
Manufacturing Quality
Simply put, not all vinyl siding is created equal. In many cases, its manufacturing quality will determine its lifespan.
This is why, when searching for vinyl siding, you only want to buy from reputable brands. Buying vinyl siding simply because it’s cheap might actually end up hurting your bank account in the long run.
Upkeep
Like all siding materials, vinyl siding requires maintenance. Generally speaking, the more maintenance that you provide it, the longer it will last. Put simply, upkeep is of utmost importance.
Vinyl Siding Maintenance
We just mentioned that, in order to get the most out of your vinyl siding, you need to furnish it with proper maintenance. The question is: what type of maintenance does it require?
Cleaning
The most basic form of maintenance required by a vinyl siding is cleaning. Failure to clean your siding on a regular basis could result in its aesthetic becoming impaired. The remaining residue could seep into the structure of the siding, effectively staining it for the rest of its existence.
For this reason, you need to clean your siding consistently, generally every 6 months or so. And you can’t just wipe it off with a towel and water. You need to be intensive in your cleaning efforts, using a hard-thistle brush to scrub in deeply.
Landscape Upkeep
Vinyl siding can wear down over years of consistent physical trauma. The landscaping existing in one’s yard can cause this physical trauma. As such, to protect your siding, you need to prioritize landscaping upkeep.
Trim your hedges, your tree branches, and any other part of your landscape that might interfere with your siding. If you don’t, you’ll be paying for it in the way of more frequent siding replacements.
Painting
Vinyl siding comes with its own individual color. This color is designed to remain strong for decades and decades. However, after a certain amount of deterioration, it can start to fade away.
As such, if you want to maintain the look of your siding, you might consider painting it. Provided your siding is still operating functionally, this is a good way to provide it with a few more years of life.
If you do decide to paint your vinyl siding, you’ll need to use a 100% acrylic latex paint. Two coats should get the job done and will need to be repainted every 5 to 7 years or so.
Need Vinyl Siding Installation in Champaign?
What do you say? Now that you have an answer to “how long does vinyl siding last?”, have you decided that vinyl siding is right for you? If so, and if you’re looking for vinyl siding installation in Champaign, IL, we here at Freeman Exteriors are the people to see.
We’ve installed vinyl siding on countless homes throughout the Champaign area. Regardless of your color and style preferences, our team can accommodate you.
Contact us now to discuss your needs!
