If you’re thinking of investing in vinyl siding, it’s important to consider its longevity and durability for your home. With that being said, how long does vinyl siding last?
At its best, vinyl siding can last up to 60 years with regular care and maintenance. But, factoring all sorts of wear and tear into the equation, it’s more likely that vinyl siding will last between 20 and 40 years for the average house. Once you notice significant discoloration or damage in the form of warping, cracking, or holes in the vinyl siding, you’ll need to replace the affected panels or all of it.
That is pretty incredible, given how affordable and versatile vinyl siding happens to be. You wouldn’t expect that kind of longevity, and yet you can enjoy decades of vinyl siding before it needs to be replaced.
It is true that no matter what material is used externally on a home, it will require some maintenance and care to last. Exposure to different elements will always cause some degree of damage or mess to most things, even metals and stones, which are quite expensive.
The cost effectiveness, customizability, and longevity of vinyl siding are some of its best selling points.
What Is Vinyl Siding?
Considered one of the most affordable and versatile options on the market, vinyl siding is made of synthetic materials like polyvinyl chloride (PVC) and is installed on the exterior of a home. They appear in the shape of a long plank and are placed in line with each other from roof to floor.
Vinyl siding is typically used for aesthetic reasons, which is why it resembles the appearance of wood, but due to its synthetic makeup, it serves a practical function in the form of weatherproofing your home.
It should be brought to your attention that siding is available in different types of materials, such as:
- Stucco
- Insulated vinyl siding
- Glass
- Brick
- Fiber Cement
- Aluminum
- Metal
- Stone
- Faux stone
- Split-log
- Wood shingle
- Board and batten
Each of these sidings has its own pros and cons, with some being more versatile than others, more expensive than others, and more durable than others.
Perhaps the most affordable and versatile is vinyl siding due to the nature of its composition and availability.
What Causes Damage To Vinyl Siding?
Like most building materials, vinyl is not infallible and can be damaged by a variety of different things. Granted, it’s quite resistant to things, but it’s definitely at risk of damage when exposed to some of these unavoidable factors for a significant period of time.
Weather
As much as vinyl is resistant to weather damage, it cannot withstand the extended exposure of decades without experiencing any effects. Sunlight, wind, hail, and rain will eventually cause discoloration, staining, cracking, and warping.
Heat
Most plastics melt and warp when exposed to certain levels of heat for certain periods of time. Either by sunlight or externally produced heat, vinyl siding could experience damage from this.
Bad Installation
During the installation process, it is important that each piece of vinyl sliding is placed and installed correctly and securely. If it isn’t, there’s a strong chance of it being dislodged by the wind and sustaining damage.
Physical impact
Unlike cement or metal, vinyl is made of plastic, which means that physical force of a certain degree can damage it. Things like hail and debris that smack against vinyl siding can cause physical damage.
Exposure To Harsh Chemicals
There have been many cases where certain chemicals, like herbicides and insecticides, have caused discoloration and cracks in vinyl siding. Be wary of what you spray onto these panels.
Moisture
By nature, vinyl siding is built to withstand exposure to water, but if the underlying structure isn’t, moisture can result in rot or mold, which eventually buckles and warps the siding.
Signs That Vinyl Siding Needs To Be Replaced
Discoloration
Due to exposure to sunlight (UV rays), rain, and snow, vinyl siding may start to fade or discolor. It may occur in patches or in areas that are most exposed to the sun at its brightest.
Warping and cracking
Over time, if you live in an area with tropical weather or excessively hot and cold temperatures, you’ll notice warping and cracking. But even one-off incidents of something crashing against the vinyl siding with a strong force can cause significant cracking, warping, and damage.
Rot
It’s true that vinyl siding shouldn’t rot because it’s made of plastic and is resistant to water. But, the area underneath may not be. When moisture seeps through, it’s possible that rot or mold will occur, forcing you to remove and replace the vinyl siding to address those issues.
Holes
As durable as vinyl siding is, its versatile nature leaves it susceptible to damage. Holes can form when certain insects or animals chew on or dig through the vinyl. The issue is that certain insecticides and pesticides may damage vinyl siding, which is why this issue tends to occur frequently.
Final Thoughts
That brings us to the end of this article on how long does vinyl siding last. You can enjoy vinyl siding for up to 60 years with regular maintenance and care. But, more often than not, the average homeowner reports needing to replace their vinyl siding after 20 to 40 years due to some degree of damage that occurs.
Despite some of its cons, like warping, trapping, and being unsustainable, vinyl siding is a great option, offering a great deal of durability, versatility, ease of maintenance, and competitive pricing.
As long as you keep it clean and protected, you should be able to get decades out of a single installation.
With that being said, I hope you found this article to be insightful and practical. Be sure to check out some of our other articles linked below before you leave because I’ve shared some amazing content on all things to do with vinyl.
6 Problems with loose lay vinyl flooring