Get matched with top siding pros in Langhorne, PA

Avoid toxic chemicals that can leach into nearby lawns, as well as household ingredients like vinegar that can ruin paint and sealants. Instead, look for a very light detergent or a dedicated exterior siding cleaner. In a pinch, you can use a basic dish or laundry soap, but we suggest sticking with a dedicated cleaner.

If your siding is struggling with algae or moss, which indicates moisture issues, look for an outdoor cleaner that’s specifically designed to clear moss and algae stains. This is also a sign that you need to seal your clapboard against further problems.

Generally speaking, the thicker the siding, the higher the quality. Thicker siding provides a stronger resistance against extreme weather conditions. Thicker siding also tends to fade more slowly under the sun. Hardie boards, a popular fiber cement siding option, is usually 5/16 inches thick. Meanwhile, masonry-finished cement siding varies from 5/8 to 5/8 inches thick.

Oil-based stains are preferred over latex or water-based varieties because your home's cedar siding must constantly withstand the weather conditions in your location. These stains provide better penetration into the wood to more effectively protect it from UV rays and water infiltration. Oil-based stains are available in transparent, semi-transparent, opaque, or solid-color selections to achieve the look you desire.

If you have stucco on the outside of your home, it’s technically considered cladding and not siding, but beyond that, it’s impossible to tell without a little digging. Without damaging the siding material, expose part of it to see if there’s an air gap between the siding and your exterior wall. If there is, you have cladding. If the siding is affixed directly to the exterior wall, you have a simple siding system.