Siding is the skin of your home. It keeps rain, wind and pests out of the walls and gives the house its look from the street. When it cracks, warps or rots, water can get behind it and damage the sheathing and framing long before you see a problem inside.
Sifixit is a free referral service. Call the number on this page and you will be connected with an independent local siding provider where one serves your area. Calling costs nothing and you are never obliged to hire anyone.
When siding damage is urgent
Most siding problems can be planned, but some need quick attention.
After a storm, stay away from damaged walls with loose panels or sharp edges, and watch for downed power lines. Do not climb ladders in wind or rain.
- A storm has torn off or punctured siding
- Rain is getting into the wall or the home
- A fallen tree or branch has damaged the wall
- Siding near the ground is soft and rotting
- You can see insulation or house wrap through a gap
What we can connect you with
When you call, say what kind of siding you have, how much is damaged and whether water is getting in.
Siding repair
Replacing cracked, loose or missing panels and resealing gaps.
Siding replacement
Removing old siding and installing new siding over a new weather barrier.
Storm and hail damage
Inspecting and repairing siding damaged by hail, wind or debris.
Rot repair
Replacing rotted boards and the damaged sheathing behind them.
Trim and soffits
Repairing or replacing the trim around windows, doors, corners and the roof edge.
Painting and sealing
Painting wood siding and sealing joints to keep water out.
Signs your siding needs attention
Walk around the house and look for these signs.
- Cracked, broken or missing panels
- Warped or buckled boards
- Soft or rotting wood, often near the ground
- Peeling paint on walls inside the home
- Mold or mildew on or behind the siding
- Higher heating and cooling bills
Common kinds of siding
The type of siding decides how it is repaired and what a replacement involves.
Vinyl
The most common siding on American homes. Low maintenance, but it can crack in cold and warp in heat.
Fiber cement
A heavy, durable mix of cement and wood fibers that resists fire, rot and pests. It needs painting from time to time.
Wood and engineered wood
Traditional and attractive. It needs regular painting or staining to prevent rot.
What affects the cost
There is no single price for siding work, because every home is different. These are the things that change the size of the job.
- How much of the house needs new siding
- The siding material you choose
- Whether the sheathing behind is damaged
- Trim, soffits and corners that need work
- How many stories and how easy the walls are to reach
- Lead paint rules for older homes
- Permits required in your area
Ask every provider for a written quote that lists the work, the materials and what is not included, and get any change in writing before extra work starts.
Handle it yourself or call a pro
Usually fine to do yourself
- Wash vinyl siding with a soft brush and hose
- Look for cracks and gaps from the ground
- Keep plants and soil away from the bottom of the siding
- Caulk small gaps around trim
Time to call a professional
- Cracked, missing or storm damaged panels
- Soft or rotting wood
- Any work that needs a tall ladder
- Water getting behind the siding
- Homes built before 1978 where old paint will be disturbed
In homes built before 1978, disturbing painted surfaces can release lead dust. The Environmental Protection Agency requires firms doing this kind of work to be lead safe certified.
Questions to ask before you hire
- Are you licensed for siding work in my state? Ask for the number so you can look it up.
- Are you insured? Ask to see the certificate.
- Will you give me a written quote that lists the work and materials?
- Do you pull the permit, and is it in the price?
- What warranty do you give on your work?
- Will you check the sheathing behind the old siding?
Frequently asked questions
How long does siding last?
It depends on the material and the climate. Vinyl and fiber cement often last for decades, while wood needs regular upkeep to last.
Can damaged siding be repaired instead of replaced?
Often, yes. A few damaged panels can usually be replaced. Widespread damage or rot may make replacement the better choice.
Does insurance cover siding damage?
Damage from a sudden event such as hail, wind or a falling tree is often covered. Wear and tear is not.
Can a small section be matched?
Sometimes. Older or faded siding can be hard to match exactly, so ask the provider to show you a sample.
Does Sifixit do the siding work?
No. Sifixit is a referral service. The work is done by independent local businesses, who are responsible for their own work, pricing, licensing and insurance.
Is calling free?
Yes. Calling and being connected costs you nothing. If you hire a provider, you pay that provider directly for the work.
Sifixit is a free referral service and does not provide home services. Calls may be answered by a partner call center or connected directly to independent local providers, who are solely responsible for their work, pricing, licensing and insurance.