What Can Winter Do to My Siding, and What Can I Do About It?

Kansas City winters can be tough on your home exterior—particularly your siding. Chilly temperatures, snow, ice, and sleet can damage your siding, especially if it is already aging and compromised. Winter temperatures can cause cracks and gaps, while ice and snow can cause it to warp or buckle. 

Read on to gain valuable insight into the cause of winter damage to siding and what you can do about it. 

How Winter Affects Your Siding’s Integrity and Performance 

Freeze-Thaw Cycles

When moisture freezes, it expands. This can cause cracking and structural damage to siding. The more freeze-thaw cycles your siding surface encounters, the bigger the possibility of damage. 

How to Prevent Problems: You can’t keep precipitation from increasing or decreasing, but you can prevent problems from it. To ensure your siding doesn’t become damaged due to freeze-thaw cycles, make sure it is installed by a reputable crew (like ours!) and have it inspected periodically for signs of damage. If you see problems, have them repaired promptly to avoid bigger issues. 

Wind Gusts

Kansas area snowstorms often come with strong, damaging winds. If siding is getting old or is in need of repair, wind may cause a panel here and there to disconnect from your home. This scenario leaves your exterior vulnerable to damaging moisture intrusion. If wind causes branches or other items to become airborne, they could penetrate your siding and create more issues. Lightweight vinyl siding can be prone to detaching when wind gusts hit it just right. 

How to Prevent Problems: Durable siding such as stone veneer (made of cement, iron oxide, and aggregates to mimic natural stone) or James Hardie (made of cement, sand, and cellulose) can fortify your home against problems with wind gusts this winter. Be sure to have your siding installed by an experienced contractor with a track record of success so you get the long-lasting high performance you deserve. 

Ice Dams

When snow begins to melt on your roof, then refreezes as temperatures drop again, ice dams often form, putting your exterior at risk of damage. Additionally, icicles can develop at the edge of your roof, and when they fall off they can cause harm to your siding. Vinyl siding tends to become brittle in the wintertime and can easily crack. If wood siding is not well maintained, moisture will penetrate it and create issues. 

How to Prevent Problems: Adequate attic insulation is a vital key to preventing ice dams. Hiring a professional to clear your roof of snow is another helpful tip. And installing a drip edge along your roof’s edge can keep water from backing up behind your siding. 

Snow, Sleet, and Freezing Rain

Your home’s enemy—moisture—can take its toll on your siding due to the Kansas City area’s winter weather. If your siding is already showing signs of wear and tear, that means it is vulnerable to damaging moisture intrusion. Cracked, loose, or improperly installed siding can open the door to water damage, which deteriorates your exterior and your home’s structure behind it. 

How to Prevent Problems: Installing durable siding material that is engineered to withstand the elements is the best prevention you can have against siding damage from precipitation and winter weather. At Safe Harbor, we recommend Hardie siding and trim products. 

How to Spot Siding Damage

Warped Siding Panels

Vinyl and wood siding can warp when they are exposed to chilly temperatures and excess moisture. And when siding panels shift out of place, they open the door to moisture intrusion. The gaps that are created due to warping put the welcome mat out to further problems like mold, rot, and deterioration. While your home’s internal structure becomes compromised, you may not even realize it. 

Leaky Caulk 

Caulk doesn’t last forever. It eventually deteriorates and needs to be replaced. Winter can take a toll on already worn-out caulking and allow moisture to get into your siding, leading to unhealthy mold growth and rot. Fortify your siding’s seals by replacing any missing or deteriorating caulking before winter sets in. 

Loose Siding Planks

When siding is improperly installed or worn out, your siding planks may pull away from your home during the winter due to the elements. Water can get in as a result, and pests may follow once the way has been paved. This recipe for trouble can be avoided by having durable siding (like James Hardie) installed on your home. 

Cracked Boards

The Kansas City area can experience freezing temperatures during the winter, and these temps can cause some building materials to become brittle and break. Tree branches and other debris that are launched in the wind can cause siding to crack and make way for damaging moisture intrusion. 

Dented Siding

Nobody wants to hinder their home’s curb appeal due to winter weather, but seasonal storms can sometimes cause damage that leaves your siding looking less than its best. Dents from hail or windblown debris can be the cause of lackluster siding. Don’t risk this problem happening to your exterior. Get durable siding installed that resists unattractive damage like dents. 

Get Durable New Siding for Your Kansas City Area Home  

Don’t settle for worn-out siding that leaves your home at risk of costly moisture damage. Get durable new siding installed by our experienced team, and your home will be well protected from chilly winter weather.

At Safe Harbor, we only install siding material that we would use on our own homes. Hardie siding and trim products are built to last and come with a 30-year warranty. As a reputable, trustworthy siding expert, we can replace your siding if winter weather has caused irreversible damage. And as James Hardie Elite Preferred contractor, we follow their strict guidelines on the installation process to meet their warranty requirements (so it is honored in the unlikely event that you need it). Learn more about how our siding replacement services can fortify your home against the elements and prevent unwanted damage this winter.