Winter can be pretty rough on your home, especially the parts of it that are exposed to the elements all year long. When you consider the extreme cold, the snow, the ice and the wind, the weather can really take a toll on how your structure holds up. For this reason, it’s crucial that you take plenty of preventative measures to protect your home, particularly your siding, which protects the structural elements of your home from the outdoor conditions. The more proactive you are with your siding maintenance in the wintertime, the longer you can expect it to last.
Here are a few tips from a siding contractor in Calgary that you should be sure to follow once the winter weather arrives this year.
Wood siding
Wood siding is perhaps the most naturally attractive siding you’ll find on the market, and it remains very popular even in an age in which vinyl siding dominates the market. However, it’s important to remember that wood is vulnerable to rotting and decay.
Therefore, if you notice your wood starting to have peeling paint or fading/deteriorating finish, it’s a good idea to paint or refinish it before the winter months. Scrape away the old paint or finish that is falling off, and recoat it to protect the wood underneath and keep it looking great all year long.
Vinyl siding
Vinyl is a highly durable material that requires significantly less maintenance than other siding materials like wood. However, you should still be sure to keep it clean. Dirt and grime can easily accumulate on the surface, and while that doesn’t necessarily mean it will compromise the structural integrity of the vinyl, it could potentially stain the vinyl if left to its own devices for too long. Therefore, you should wash your siding using a garden hose and some cleaning materials.
You should never paint over vinyl siding. Doing so will void the manufacturer’s warranties you have on the vinyl. If you see a piece of siding coming loose, make sure you replace it or fix it as soon as possible. Otherwise, you’ll risk having more of it start to come loose and fall off. Missing siding opens up your home to a host of potential structural issues.
Fiber cement siding
A third popular type of siding is fiber cement siding, which is renowned for its durability and weather resistance. It may be highly durable, but a bit of maintenance still goes a long way toward keeping it in good condition. Every year you should re-caulk the material to keep it free from gaps, so you don’t have moisture getting into those spaces or heat exiting your home during the winter months. This will help you save some money on your monthly energy bills as well!
For more information about the steps you can take to keep your siding and your home in great condition all throughout the winter, we encourage you to contact the team at Rhino Exteriors. We’d be happy to answer any questions you have about our services as a siding contractor in Calgary!