90%
Of siding failures
Start at transitions and penetrations, not field panels
$12K
Average full re-side
1,500 sq ft home, fiber cement
6"
Minimum clearance
Between siding bottom and grade or mulch
5 yrs
Paint recoat interval
Fiber cement — the #1 maintenance item
Materials & Types
Vinyl siding
The most common siding material in American residential construction. Vinyl is durable, inexpensive, and requires almost no maintenance. The main failure modes are impact damage, UV fading over time, and buckling when installed with insufficient expansion gaps.
Fiber cement
Cement, sand, and cellulose fiber compressed into planks or panels. Highly fire-resistant and impervious to insects and rot when properly maintained. The key word is maintained — fiber cement must be painted. Unpainted or failing-paint fiber cement absorbs moisture and deteriorates. The painting interval is typically every 5-7 years.
Engineered wood
Strand-based wood composite with resin binders. More vulnerable than fiber cement to moisture intrusion at cut edges and field-drilled penetrations — these must be properly primed and sealed at installation.
System Components
Water-resistive barrier (WRB)
Behind every siding material is a water-resistive barrier. The WRB is the true line of defense against bulk water intrusion. When siding is replaced, the WRB should be inspected and replaced in any areas where it's damaged or degraded.
Clearances
Every siding material requires a gap between the bottom edge of the siding and grade, mulch, or any horizontal surface. The minimum is typically 6 inches from grade and 2 inches from horizontal surfaces like decks. This clearance prevents wicking of moisture and direct soil contact.
The invisible failure problem
Failure Timeline
New siding
Annual inspection of caulk at all joints and penetrations. Confirm clearances are maintained as landscaping matures.
Caulk maintenance phase
Caulk begins failing at window and door perimeters. Annual inspection and re-caulking at any failed joints is essential.
Material-specific wear
Fiber cement approaching first repaint. Vinyl may show UV fading. Engineered wood bottom edges beginning to show stress.
Active evaluation
Most siding materials in this range need careful assessment.
Replacement evaluation
A full re-side is the opportunity to upgrade the WRB and flashing system — doing it right once is far better than patching.
Inspection
A proper annual siding inspection is a slow, deliberate walk around the full perimeter, looking at each elevation carefully. Bring a screwdriver or probe to press on any suspicious areas. The inspection should take 20-30 minutes for a typical home.
Who to Call
Questions to ask your contractor
"What WRB are you installing and how are you integrating it at windows and doors?"
WRB integration at openings is where most installation failures occur. A contractor who can explain their sequencing knows what they're doing.
"Are you replacing the flashing at windows and doors, or reusing the existing?"
Reusing old flashing during a re-side is a common corner-cut. If the flashing is more than 15 years old, it should be replaced.