Your home’s exterior materials are its clothing. They affect how your home looks from the outside and how welcoming it feels to neighbors and visitors. But like clothing, the proper maintenance and materials play an important role in protecting your property against long-term wear and tear from everyday life events.
Everyone wants their home to look good, but appearances aren’t the only consideration. Now that we’re through the harshest days of Wisconsin’s winter months, you have the opportunity to consider not just how your exterior materials weathered the cold but the ways your home takes a beating year-round as well.
What Everyday Wear and Tear Really Looks Like
Your home’s exterior should be built to withstand the elements, but rain, wind, snow, and sleet aren’t the only factors to consider. Everyday wear and tear also means dealing with the following:
- Foot traffic from your family, pets, and guests
- Doors opening and closing constantly
- UV exposure on sunny days
- Seasonal changes that cause materials to expand and contract
- Birds using your gutters and roof as a landing pad
Your home’s exterior works hard 24/7, not just during storms. Are your materials built to last?
Your Exterior Should Do More Than Just Look Good
It’s natural to want to prioritize style over function when choosing materials for your home. You care about your curb appeal and want all of your exterior systems to mesh with your home’s overall design. But too often, homeowners choose materials that look good yet fail over time.
You don’t have to sacrifice appearances for durability. Many exterior materials offer a blend of both, with high-quality designs that look attractive and hold up to everyday wear and tear. Combining the right materials with regular home exterior maintenance ensures that your property is built for long-term function and that you don’t need to worry about systems failing.
Siding: Is It Holding Up or Breaking Down?
The average siding lifespan in Wisconsin ranges between 20 and 50 years, depending on the material and frequency of maintenance. Once siding starts to fail, moisture can seep in quickly, leading to costly problems like wood rot, water damage, mold growth, and even pest infestations.
Siding shows signs of wear and tear, such as:
- Fading
- Warping
- Cracking
When you notice any of these red flags, it’s time to consider repairing the materials or replacing them altogether. Think about the lifespan of your current siding and the protectiveness of what you currently have. A siding inspection from an experienced professional can help you understand how much life these materials have left, so you know when to replace siding before it fails completely.
Windows and Doors: Everyday Use Adds Up
Windows and doors are high-traffic elements of your home. Think about the number of times your front door is opened and closed each day. Your family members probably aren’t very gentle with it, either.
Wear and tear on these essential exterior barriers can lead to drafts seeping into your home, create visible damage, and make them difficult to operate.
Roofing: Aging Beyond the Storms
Your roofing system doesn’t only take a beating during Wisconsin’s notable thunderstorms and winter weather. Daily exposure to sun, moisture, and temperature swings can also produce wear and tear, making it harder for your roof to withstand more serious events.
You might notice signs of an aging roof, such as the following:
- Curling, cracked, or missing shingles
- Dark algae streaks
- Bald spots from granule loss
- Exposed, rusty nails
Your roof can begin to deteriorate quickly after these initial signs of aging appear. It’s best to contact professionals to repair or replace your roofing system.
Low-Maintenance Materials for Real Life
Prioritizing home exterior maintenance doesn’t have to mean scheduling frequent service to keep materials in good condition. Often, installing low-maintenance exterior materials is an effective solution for those who want excellent durability, aesthetic value, and approachable maintenance.
For example, our team at Sims often installs LP SmartSide siding, which requires very little maintenance and holds up extremely well over time.
When Repairs Stop Making Sense
Repairing exterior materials like your roof, siding, gutters, and windows should be an important element of your exterior home maintenance checklist each year, but there comes a point when repairs stop making sense. Once these elements have reached the ends of their lifespans, repeatedly fixing issues will only patch the problem before it returns, often with a vengeance.
Replacing failing systems offers a better long-term solution for materials that are past their prime. You could even save money compared to paying for repeated repairs that don’t actually address the root of the problem.
How To Tell if Your Exterior Isn’t Keeping Up
So, is your home’s exterior keeping up with the wear and tear of everyday life? If it isn’t, you’re likely experiencing:
- Constant maintenance and repairs
- Visible wear and damage
- Comfort issues indoors
It may be time to consult an exterior remodeling company for help.
Final Thoughts: Built for Real Life, Season After Season
Your home’s exterior should protect you against the elements, perform well year after year, and last for decades in Wisconsin’s climate and through everyday wear and tear. If your exterior could use an upgrade, Sims would be happy to take a look and come up with a plan that achieves your goals. Reach out today at 608-825-4500 to request a consultation.