Your Guide To Repairing Vs.
Replacing Aluminum Siding
Aluminum siding became very popular in the 1940s and is still found in many homes today. Now, many homeowners find themselves wondering if it is worth repairing aluminum siding in Vienna, VA, or if it’s better to replace it altogether.
From the 1940s-1970s, aluminum was an alternative to traditional wood siding and was popular because it was easier to maintain and less expensive. That being said, maintenance aside, aluminum siding has its share of drawbacks, which you should consider when weighing siding repair costs and deciding on upgrading your siding materials.
Downsides Of Aluminum Siding In Virginia
There are several downsides of aluminum, including the following:
- Aluminum doesn’t retain color well. As a result, the color on metal siding typically fades over time, as well as turning chalky after exposure to the elements. If you need to replace a section of aluminum siding, it will be almost impossible to match the color to your existing siding.
Aluminum is susceptible to dents, scratches, and holes even if hit with a sharp object. Aluminum siding does not insulate as well as other types of siding, and it is poor at blocking outside noise. - Aluminum siding is hard to repair. If you have aluminum siding on your home that’s seen better days, your options are to repair or replace it. You can try to repair dents and gashes, but this requires drilling a hole through the dent, pulling it out, then patching with auto body filler and applying two coats of primer paint.
- Replacing a section of aluminum siding is no easy task. As mentioned, it’s often difficult to replace a section because the colors probably won’t match exactly. One benefit that aluminum has over some other types of siding is that it can be painted, so you could choose to replace damaged boards and then paint your entire house.
- Cleaning your aluminum siding requires more effort than just a quick rinse with your garden hose. Since power washing with a pressure washer isn’t advised, you may need to add some chemical muscle to your soft bristle brush to achieve a quality clean.
Why You Should Consider Replacing Your Aluminum Siding
Rather than attempt to repair and repaint your aluminum siding, you can consider replacing it with vinyl siding. The Vinyl Siding Institute says that vinyl siding is the number one exterior cladding choice in the United States for new construction and remodeling.
Vinyl siding can be an easy choice for many reasons:
- Vinyl is low maintenance, requiring no more than periodic inspection and occasional hosing off.
- It’s much less expensive to maintain because it doesn’t require repainting.
- Today’s vinyl siding is built to withstand years of effects from weather – it is impact-resistant, and the color won’t fade over time.
- With many manufacturers offering foam-backed insulation, vinyl siding better insulates your home, making it more energy-efficient, which saves you money on utility bills.
- Added insulation also makes your home quieter inside as it protects from outside noises better than aluminum.
When you’re faced with aging aluminum siding on your home, the decision to repair or replace might be difficult. You have to weigh the pros and cons of keeping your old siding on your home and attempting to repair and repaint it.
Replacing old aluminum siding with vinyl siding will look better, insulate better, require no painting or maintenance, and will start saving you money right away in the form of lower utility bills.
Contact Thompson Creek For A Free Estimate!
Ready to make the switch? Upgrade from aging aluminum to vibrant vinyl siding and enjoy enhanced insulation, reduced maintenance, and a fresh, modern look for your home. Don’t let faded colors and dents define your home’s exterior. Choose vinyl for lasting beauty and efficiency.
Contact Thompson Creek for a price estimate today and find out about our No Hassle Warranty, or give us a call at (301) 880-4474.