Much like other parts of your home, siding plays a critical role in protecting your home. It shields your home from harsh weather elements, insects and dirt. The siding also protects your insulation layer from dirt, bugs, and birds that can affect the heating and cooling of your house.

However, the most significant function, is that properly installed siding protects your house from moisture penetration. Without it, you’re likely to encounter moisture problems such as the growth of mold and mildew. The moisture can also cause structural deformation of beams and columns in your home, making your house susceptible to failure.

What Is Siding?

Siding refers to the material that is clad over your external walls to protect them from weather elements and also make your house beautiful. It is made from different materials such as timber, steel, aluminum, vinyl, cement, asphalt, or composite materials.

What Is The Function of Siding Installation?

1.   To protect your home from rain, snow, and other precipitation.

The entry of moisture into your home is dangerous for its structural stability and your health. When the wooden structures of your home interact with moisture, they lose their strength, which makes your house unsafe. With continuous moisture exposure, your home can succumb to its weight.

Mold is a fungus that grows on house surfaces due to moisture prevalence. There are different types of mold, each taking up unpleasant color variations of yellow, brown, black, and green. Though mold spores can be virtually anywhere, they require moisture to grow. Mold is known to activate allergies and cause coughing, wheezing, sneezing, and itchiness in the eyes and skin. Proper siding installation is therefore relevant to preventing mold growth.

Mildew is another fungus that grows in damp areas of the house. Unlike mold, mildew is characterized by its black, grey, or whitish powdery appearance. It also has an unpleasant smell and thrives in damp and warm areas. Siding prevents moisture entry and therefore prevents the growth of mildew in your house.

2.   To regulate your home’s temperature.

Siding improves your home’s energy efficiency, which reduces your heating and cooling bills. The siding reflects off direct sunlight to minimize heat infiltration but also prevents heat loss from the house. This, in turn, reduces the pressure on your HVAC unit.

3.   To beautify the exterior of your house.

Siding covers the exterior walls of a home and is, therefore, critical to your house’s appearance. There are various colors of siding in the market. With vinyl siding, you can achieve almost any color for your exterior. You can also paint wooden siding with any color you desire to beautify your home.

The Dangers of Poor Siding Installation

When your siding fails, moisture finds a way into the frame of your house. The moisture interferes with the structural integrity of the wooden structures in your home. It can affect the wooden walls, columns, beams, and even ceiling in your house. If the structure of your house rots, the house can collapse.

Poor siding installation can also promote the growth of mold and mildew that thrive in damp environments. These fungi are dangerous to your respiratory health and can cause mild to severe allergic reactions. Fungus can also stain your wooden surfaces, making them unattractive.

When To Schedule New Siding Installation

If you are unsure of the state of your siding, you can check for several signs. If you have wooden siding, check for warping. If the wood starts to bend and curve away from your house, then it requires replacement. Siding should be firmly attached to the exterior wall surface to prevent moisture entry. If it’s pulling away, there’s a chance that your house and insulation is already compromised.

You can also check for signs of interior damage in your house. For example, check for ugly water stains on the walls. The paint on the walls could start peeling, and the wallpaper may start falling off. These are signs of moisture presence between the paint and the surface of the wall.

Additionally, look for green, black, and brown patches, especially in the shaded areas of your house. These spots can be mold growth as a result of moisture. Lastly, check for soggy and soft spots in your siding and exterior walls. Mushy spots could mean that your siding is already rotting and in need of immediate replacement.

Professional Siding Installation

When your home requires siding installation, there are two things you should be keen on. First, you need to install durable and appealing siding. The siding should prevent moisture entry and preserve stable temperatures in your home. Proper siding should also last long and come with a warranty in case of failure.

Second, you need to find professional siding installers to do it. The last thing you need is to purchase expensive siding and experience moisture entry due to poor installation. A professional contractor will install the siding properly to block moisture entry and make your home appealing.