Signs you need new siding

Look at the walls

• Warping or buckling: panels that wave, bulge, or pull away from the wall mean moisture or heat has worked behind them. Once warped, siding no longer sheds water properly.
• Cracks and holes: a few cracks can be patched, but widespread cracking lets water reach the sheathing.
• Rot, soft spots, or fungus: press on suspect areas. Soft or spongy material, or visible fungus and mold, means water is getting in and the wall behind may be damaged.
• Faded or chalky surface: mostly cosmetic on its own, but combined with other signs it shows the siding is past its prime.

Clues from inside and the utility bill

• Peeling interior paint or wallpaper: moisture passing through failing siding can show up as peeling paint or loose wallpaper on the inside of exterior walls.
• Rising energy bills: siding and its weather-resistant barrier are part of the wall's envelope. A steady climb in heating and cooling costs can mean that envelope is leaking.
• Frequent repainting: if you are repainting every few years to keep the house looking decent, the siding may be at the end of its service life.

Repair or replace?

Scattered damage on otherwise healthy siding (a cracked panel, a small impact area) is a repair. A full re-side is the call when warping or rot is widespread, when several areas are failing at once, or when you find soft sheathing behind the siding. A re-side is also the rare chance to add a fresh weather-resistant barrier and even continuous exterior insulation, fixing the wall's performance, not just its looks.

Vinyl runs about $4 to $7 per square foot of wall installed, so a typical 1,800 sq ft re-side is roughly $7,200 to $12,600 before local adjustments; fiber cement and steel run higher. Your town dashboard shows the range for your market.