After the gleam of home ownership has worn off and you’re settled into your everyday routine, you may stop noticing exactly how much the siding on your house provides personality and security. It’s something many of us take for granted until there’s a disaster that makes siding repair urgent, but this air of complacency can cost you money – and the enjoyment of your home.
Owning a home is one of the greatest investments you can make, so it’s important to keep your home in excellent shape, including its exterior. That means that siding should be at the top of your list when it comes to home renovation projects – and here are four reasons why.
Reason #1: Greater Energy Efficiency
You’ve probably not thought much about the energy efficiency of your home until you get sticker shock when a massive energy bill arrives, showing that your home’s heating and cooling systems are working all the harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. Old siding does not have the same insulation qualities as newer materials, such as fiber cement siding with underlying insulation, which helps to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.
While there are other tactics you can use to improve your home’s energy efficiency, these will have nowhere near the impact of adding insulated siding to your home, and they will not make an appreciable difference in your heating and cooling costs. To really reduce your energy usage, you need to ensure that there is less energy transfer between the inside and outside of your home: fiber cement with an underlying layer of insulation is the best way to achieve this.
Reason #2: Improved Waterproofing
Moisture is the menace of any home: it can damage not just your belongings, but the entire structure of your home, leading to unsafe conditions that could cause a catastrophe down the line. Your roof, siding, and windows are the greatest protection your home has against the elements, and they must be kept in immaculate condition if you want to keep your house safe for years to come.
As roofs are generally more long-lasting than the siding, you should focus on your siding first, as it needs to be replaced more frequently. Roofs last, on average, about 20 years, while vinyl siding will only last 10-15 years, depending on the climate. If you already have vinyl siding but would like to make a switch, fiber cement siding will last longer – almost as long as your roof – and is much harder, making it an excellent choice for a renovation.
If you notice signs of water damage, such as mildew and mold, it’s time to call in a Chicago home siding installer to discuss your options before further damage is done to your home.
Reason #3: Updated Aesthetic
These next two reasons are far more enjoyable to consider than the fear of structural damage or high energy bills, and they focus more on how much you enjoy your home! You should never underestimate how important it is that your house feels like a match to your personality and general lifestyle. Feeling comfortable in your home makes it easier to focus on your everyday life, and it’s actually far easier to switch up your house’s general atmosphere than you might believe.
There are many options on the market for siding, but one of the best options available is fiber cement siding, which, while slightly pricier, is much more durable and will last far longer. It comes in a variety of colors so that you can pick something that exactly matches your tastes. This way, you’ll be able to come home to a place that truly feels like home: somewhere you can be proud to call yours.
Reason #4: Better Resale Value
If you’re considering moving within the next few years, you might imagine that it’s not important to do any upgrades, as those should be left to the new owners. However, you must realize that home buyers will pay a premium for homes that need little updating, and this can be far above the cost of renovations. By spending a few thousand dollars upgrading the siding on your home, you can get a far higher price for your house than otherwise.
This is especially true if you decide to go for fiber cement siding, which is highly durable. The next owners will not need to replace the siding for decades, and this will be quite a draw to the savvy buyer, who will want their home ready to use and enjoy from day one.
Final thoughts
Every homeowner has a limited budget to work with, so when it comes to considering renovations, it’s important to choose the ones that are the most cost-effective: those that will greatly improve the efficiency and enjoyment of your home. Siding is an integral part of any home, so it should be one of the first things you upgrade when deciding on home renovation projects. These four points are just one of many reasons that siding should be a priority for your Chicago house!