How Long Does Vinyl Siding Last?

Vinyl siding is relatively inexpensive, durable, and low-maintenance compared to other options, like wood siding. But like most construction materials, it doesn't last forever. This guide covers everything you need to know about the lifespan of vinyl siding, including maintenance steps you can take to prolong it. Read on if you’ve ever wondered how long vinyl siding lasts. 

What Is the Average Lifespan of Vinyl Siding?

Vinyl siding can last between 30 and 40 years, depending on your climate and how well you maintain it. In some cases, homeowners living in mild climates who immaculately maintain their vinyl siding could allow it to last upward of 40 years. On the flip side, homeowners living in hotter or colder climates may have to replace their vinyl siding every 20 years. 

Factors That Impact Vinyl Siding Lifespan

How long your vinyl siding lasts depends on a few key factors, namely your local climate and maintenance practices.

Climate

Weather conditions and temperatures greatly affect vinyl siding’s longevity. If you experience lots of sunshine, UV rays are likely to wear out and fade your siding quicker than in other locations. If you experience heavy rain, snowstorms, or hail, your siding can weaken, crack, or take on excess moisture, causing mildew and mold.

Extreme heat can melt, peel, or fade your siding, while freezing temperatures can cause your siding to warp and crack. If you live in a moderate climate with moderate temperatures, your vinyl siding is likely to last longer, just like your roof.

Maintenance 

Regular cleaning and maintenance keep your vinyl siding in top-performing shape. Checking your vinyl siding at least once a year for holes and damage allows you to repair smaller issues before they become bigger problems. Cleaning your vinyl siding once or twice a year prevents excessive wear and discoloration.

Quality of Installation

Proper vinyl siding installation prevents buckling, warping, and water leaks. If your siding was improperly installed, you may have to repair or replace it sooner. While you can learn how to replace vinyl siding, consider hiring a local siding pro instead of doing it yourself.

Signs Vinyl Siding Needs Replacing

Not sure whether your vinyl siding needs to be maintained or replaced? Look out for signs of damage, like fading, cracks, or water. Additionally, if your vinyl siding is nearing its 30 year mark, it’ll be more cost effective to replace it.

If you’re unsure of how old your existing siding is, check for the severity of any damage. Newer siding is strong enough to withstand the environment, but older siding is much weaker. Check to see if any new damage appears soon after heavy rainfall or periods of bright sun—in those cases, your siding is likely on the older end of its lifespan. 

Evidence of Water Damage

Waterproof vinyl siding usually helps keep most of the water away from the exterior of your home. However, even the smallest of gaps can allow water to seep through. If you observe the growth of fungus, mildew, or mold on your siding panels, it's a sign that moisture is penetrating your boards and possibly hiding further underlying damage. Such growth usually appears in the more shaded and damp parts of the exterior of your home.

While it is quite normal for a couple of the siding boards to come loose during strong storms, if several of them are cracked, missing, or unsecured, this can be another indicator of water damage. Once the moisture seeps into the boards, it weakens them and makes them more susceptible to destruction.

Damaged or Broken Siding

Vinyl siding is quite durable, but is still prone to damage from pests, insects, or severe weather. Insects such as carpenter ants and termites, or rodents like squirrels and mice, are known to feast on the siding in an effort to seek food or shelter. When this happens, it can result in holes in your siding. If you have a woodpecker problem, you want to learn how to stop woodpeckers from pecking your house so you aren't continuously trying to fix the damage.

While typical wear and tear can result in broken, cracked, dented siding, your home is more susceptible to damage following severe weather. Hail storms, high winds, or direct hits to your home can leave the siding in shambles.

If you find your siding damaged, you want to address the problem quickly. Exposing your home's structure to the elements can cause increased challenges, so avoid any further problems from occurring by repairing or replacing the siding.

Fading

UV rays and outdoor elements such as rain and snow fade vinyl siding over time. Even the highest quality types of vinyl siding are more susceptible to fading than other vinyl siding alternatives. Sunlight causes fading by breaking down the resins in the color, which is why lighter-colored siding is often recommended, as it won't be as noticeable.

Rain and snow cause damage by stripping the protective layer from the vinyl, which leaves the color siding more susceptible to fading. Sunlight will still cause the siding to fade more quickly, but prolonged exposure to these elements only speeds up the process. While fading is inevitable, you can learn how to restore faded vinyl siding to boost the siding's appearance. 

Warping and Buckling

Most houses experience some form of settling in the few years after they're built. Settling can occur when the soil or clay beneath the home shifts and moves under the house's weight. This process is normal, and siding is typically nailed on loosely so that it can safely expand or contract as the house settles. However, if the vinyl siding was nailed on too tightly, then when the house settles, the siding can warp or buckle.

Increased Utility Bills

If you haven't changed anything about your daily energy usage but your utility bills are increasing, it may be due to your siding. Check for any loose boards and cracks in your siding, which can cause outdoor air to make its way into your home, ultimately raising your energy bills. Insulated vinyl siding can help reduce energy loss and keep your utility bills down, so you may want to consider it when it comes time to replace your siding. 

How to Prolong Vinyl Siding's Lifespan

The best way to prolong vinyl siding's lifespan is to monitor it for any of the signs mentioned above and perform maintenance as needed. Because vinyl is scratch-resistant, remains colorfast over time, and doesn't rot, it's very easy to maintain.

Clean It

Typically, all you need to do to keep vinyl siding looking great is wash it once or twice per year. You can clean your vinyl siding using a bucket of warm, soapy water and a soft bristle brush. Use a garden hose to rinse it clean. For a more powerful cleaning, you can use a pressure water set on a low-pressure setting to blast away dirt and debris. Don’t use a high-pressure setting because the water could get behind the siding and lead to moisture problems. 

Inspect It

In addition to cleaning your vinyl siding, you should regularly inspect it for holes, warping, and any other signs of damage or wear. Addressing these issues early on can save you from more costly repairs down the line. If you aren’t sure what to look for or if you have areas of siding that are hard to reach, hire a siding contractor to assess your siding’s condition.

Repair It

You can expand the life of your vinyl by making immediate repairs to small—or extensive—damage as soon as you notice it. For instance, repairing your vinyl after an intense storm leaves holes and scratches will keep your siding from deterioration and prevent mildew and mold growth. Vinyl siding repair cost ranges between $4 to $11 per square foot.

Repairing vs. Replacing Vinyl Siding

In some cases, you may be able to save on replacement siding costs by repairing your vinyl siding instead. If your siding is less than 20 years old, damage is limited to specific areas and not widespread, or the cost to repair the siding is less than half of the replacement cost, it may be more cost-effective to repair the damaged sections rather than replace all of it.