Get matched with top siding pros in Laurens, IA

There should be small gaps between your roof and the walls of your home, and other buildings. These small gaps let building materials shift, expand, and contract with weather and other outside forces, and they prevent moisture from wicking down walls from roofing and gutter systems. Without these strategic gaps, your home’s exterior and its finishes can sustain water damage, decay, peel, delaminate, and crack. However, there is a fine line between a smart gap and a problematic gap—all  gaps should be small, intentional, and covered or filled in with foam insulation to prevent pests from using them as access points.

Vinyl is lightweight, easy to install, durable, and long-lasting, and as long as a professional installs it, it should remain waterproof for several decades to keep your home protected. It can hold out against extreme weather conditions, and it doesn’t make a nice home for any sort of insects. Plus, vinyl is affordable and comes in a variety of looks and colors. When it comes to board and batten siding, vinyl is one of the most affordable material options.

While almost nothing is completely fireproof, metal siding is extremely fire-resistant. It’s non-combustible so while it may eventually melt in extreme temperatures, it won’t actually light on fire itself. This can add a layer of safety to structures that wood or vinyl siding can’t, making it attractive for industrial use. Metal siding can significantly slow down the spread of a fire, giving extinguishers and firefighters a much better chance at saving the structure and containing the blaze. 

You should plan to stain or refinish your home's cedar siding every three to seven years to maintain its appearance and provide maximum protection, though some estimates suggest a range of four to six years. The exact frequency depends on several factors, including your local climate, exposure to severe weather like direct sunlight, rain, and wind, the quality of the initial stain application, the type of stain used, and the overall condition and quality of the wood.

For homes in harsh climates with high humidity and significant sun exposure, you should plan on staining as often as every three years, while those in milder locations may only need to do so every seven years. For the longest-lasting protection in particularly harsh climates, consider using an opaque stain.

If you are looking for a lower-maintenance alternative, you might consider vinyl or aluminum siding. While the initial installation cost can be higher, they do not require as much upkeep and can offer more value over time, especially in areas with excessive rainfall or high humidity.