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Extreme temperatures and severe weather, harsh UV rays, and rapid change of seasons all impact home siding. New York’s hot summers, snowy winters, and rainy springs and falls can take a toll on your siding—causing it to warp, crack, fade, swell, or rot.
Since siding needs to stand up to weather 24/7, regardless of how harsh it is, homeowners must consider the area’s climate when choosing which material will endure best over the years.
Read on to gain insight into how weather impacts siding so you can make an informed decision on your new siding material choice.
How the New York Climate Takes a Toll on Home Siding
Westchester County, New York features cool, wet winters and hot, humid summers with plentiful rainfall all year round. And the elements impact your siding day and night. Here’s how:
Wind
High winds in the midst of a rain shower can cause major damage by driving moisture under your window frames, vertical siding, doors, and roofing. To avoid costly damage to your home, ensure you have a reputable contractor install high-quality materials to your exterior.
Snow and Ice
Harsh winter weather can sneak its way into home exterior materials that are compromised in any way. If your siding’s paint is peeling, when snow and ice melt, they will infiltrate, setting the stage for damaging moisture penetration, pest infestation, and wood rot. If left unaddressed, water infiltration can eventually cause your home’s exterior and structure to deteriorate, leaving you with costly repairs.
Rain
If your current siding isn’t sealed properly, rain can enter your home between your horizontal lap siding, cedar shakes, vinyl, and wood siding. That’s why it’s important to cover your home with a weather-resistant material. It’s also essential to keep an eye on your siding’s caulking—which can deteriorate over time, leaving your home vulnerable to moisture infiltration and its damaging effects.
Summer Heat
The sun’s intense rays can cause some home siding materials to age prematurely. Choose UV-resistant paint for your siding to safeguard it from fading and lengthen its lifespan. Also, painting your exterior a light color helps during the summer as dark color homes absorb heat, causing air conditioners to work harder and wear out quicker.
The Weather-Related Problems Home Siding Experiences
Warping and Cracking
Warping occurs when water damages your home siding, causing it to warp, buckle, or crack. If you detect moisture infiltration, it’s vital that you address it quickly before minor problems turn into major ones, taxing your time and wallet.
Rotting
Water is your siding’s enemy and when it penetrates your home exterior and is left unaddressed, it can cause wood rot. If you don’t repair small areas of rot, the problem will only worsen, increasing the cost and hassle of needed repairs.
Fading
The sun’s harsh UV rays can cause your siding to fade and make your home look less attractive, lowering its value. The good news is that some siding comes with a UV-resistant, factory-baked-on finish that protects your home from the sun’s damaging impact, keeping it looking as good as new over the years.
Heat Exposure
If the sun or your grill causes your siding to melt or warp, or the sun’s reflection bounces off your neighbor’s house and negatively impacts your home siding, you’ll need to replace the damaged panels promptly to prevent further damage. Also, move grills and fire pits away from your house to avoid additional problems.
Get the Exact Siding Your Home Needs
Siding is not one-size-fits-all when it comes to its makeup. It’s important that you evaluate your climate and choose a siding material that will withstand it over the years. Each option has its strengths, so take a careful look at your favorites and see which one aligns best with your needs. Here are some of our top picks:
James Hardie Fiber Cement
When you’re ready to replace your cracked, warped, buckled, moisture-infiltrated, or damaged siding, turn to America’s favorite fiber cement siding for your solution. You’ll get weather-resistant coverage you can rely on during every season.
Fiber cement is made of cement, sand, and cellulose, a manmade blend that stands up perfectly to New York’s cool, wet winters and hot, humid summers. It won’t buckle, warp, crack, or allow moisture to penetrate your home.
James Hardie fiber cement siding covers over 8 million homes across America and for good reason. Its durability can’t be matched because it was engineered for the climate in which it is installed, making it the ideal siding solution that prevents weather-related problems such as warping, cracking, rotting, swelling, fading, and more!
Vinyl Siding
Low-maintenance vinyl siding never needs to be painted, making it an attractive option for your home. Insulated vinyl siding boosts energy efficiency, keeping your house’s warmth inside each winter.
Cedar Shake Siding
Stunning wood siding adds timeless beauty to your property and can be treated to withstand weather, making it a viable choice for your Westchester County home.
Fortify Your Home with Durable New Siding
You can bypass the possibility of weather-related siding damage by installing durable Hardie siding on your New York area home. Its makeup, track record, and longevity will give you assurance in your home’s long-term protection.
At Giant Siding & Windows, we are a family-owned and operated company for three generations now, so you can count on us to be there for your future needs. We’ve done hundreds of Hardie siding installations, and have been named a James Hardie President’s Award Winner. We also install customizable vinyl siding and eye-catching cedar shake siding, so you have a variety of options to choose from. Learn more about our reliable siding replacement services.
