When to Replace Aluminum Siding

Aluminum siding is a modern invention that appealed to people who were looking for easy-to-maintain coverings for their homes. While many of us grew up with it, this type of exterior wall covering came into use only after World War II.
While aluminum siding is sturdy, it is not indestructible. However, with very little maintenance, this type of siding can last for more than 40 years without painting, replacement or anything other than a yearly cleaning with the hose.

History

Aluminum siding first became popular after World War II. Soldiers returned home, started families and the modern suburb was born. Homeowners were looking for building materials that were cheaper and easier to care for than wood and stone. Aluminum siding was exactly what they were looking for because it was sturdy, water-proof and insulating.
In the beginning, aluminum siding was not colored. Homeowners could paint it themselves or allow it to fade to a grayish white with time. By 1949, Jerome Kaufman created a process that would bake the colored paint on the aluminum. He formed Alside Incorporated and offered his painted siding in three colors: two varieties of white and one of gray. Soon other companies were using a similar process to offer even more colors.

Function

Aluminum siding is an easy-care solution for providing homes with a sturdy covering. Termites and other pests will not eat it. It is designed to expand and contract with the weather outside, so it does not crack in extreme weather as stone can.
Unlike metal siding, it is also lightweight which makes it much easier for do-it-yourself homeowners to patch or replace. In addition, new siding can often be placed over the old so long as the old siding is still in good condition.

Effects

With proper installation and maintenance, aluminum siding can last the entire life of the home---at least 40 years. Proper maintenance includes washing once a year and a yearly check for chips, dents or cracks.
Small dents can be repaired by filling and painting. Larger dents may require homeowners to drill small holes in the siding around the dent, affix nuts and screws to the holes and use pliers to yank on the screws and pull out the dent. Once dents are pulled out, homeowners will need to sand them down, fill them and paint them with several coats of both primer and paint.
Do-it-yourself homeowners can fix cracks by replacing the cracked sections of the aluminum siding. Smart handymen and women buy extra panels of siding in order to facilitate this type of repair.

Decision-Making Process

If your aluminum siding is cracked beyond what you can repair, or if the wood underneath the siding is rotted, you must replace it.
However, you may decide to replace your siding---even if it's in good condition---in order to add more insulation to your home. Additional insulation will help you save money on heating and cooling. With the costs of heating fuel going up every year, those savings could be substantial.

Time Frame

Before you replace your aluminum siding, you need to think about the time frame of your project including issues of storage and weather. You will need a space to store the new siding until the contractor can put it up or until you can put it up yourself. Make sure that you will be able to store it safely and securely. You also need to think about the weather because inclement weather can make it difficult to install your siding in a timely fashion. Schedule your project during the driest months with the best outside temperatures.
Determine in advance if you will be able to nail the new siding to the old or if you will have to remove the old siding before you can install the new. You should never nail new siding over old siding that has rotted. If you must remove the old siding, consider adding more insulation before installing the new siding. The cost of the insulation will be quickly off-set by the savings in heating fuel and cooling costs.
Make sure to alert your neighbors well in advance of the project. Any time that you will be making a great deal of noise, it's good idea to let your neighbors know.

Considerations

Before you decide to install aluminum siding on your home, you may want to take into consideration the issues of installation cost and maintenance. In most cases, aluminum siding costs more initially to install than vinyl siding and other coverings. However, you need to balance that cost against the heating and cooling savings you will enjoy for the life of your investment.
Aluminum siding does not require much maintenance unless it is cracked or torn. While you may choose to paint the siding to change the look of your home, you are not required to do so by peeling paint or faded colors.