subject: Tips On Maintaining Wood Sidings [print this page] Wood siding is a classic option that has stood the test of time. While other materials offer advantages it cannot, none can match its attractive appearance. Additionally, wood can be painted or stained, allowing many different options for an owner interested in making aesthetic choices.
However, there are many problems that wood siding is prone to having. These problems are not so serious that they invalidate wood as a siding material choice, but they are important to be aware of so they can be avoided and repaired when necessary. What follows should give you a basic understanding of the problems that wood siding can suffer from, and the ways it can be repaired when this occurs.
While wood will maintain an attractive appearance for many years, it can also suffer many different kinds of damage. For one thing, wood is vulnerable to damage from water. While any properly installed wood siding will be sealed, this seal can degrade over time.
Wood that suffers water damage can warp or even rot. Problems like these tend to be widespread and effect entire areas of siding. Additionally, wood can suffer purely physical damage from impacts and other abuse as well.
When wood siding becomes damaged, replacing the damaged sections of siding, replacing the damaged sections is usually the only way to fix them. First, damaged sections of siding are lifted away and the nails are removed, allowing the old siding to be removed without damaging any remaining siding or materials.
Next, new siding is measured and cut to the proper size. After that, the siding must be coated in a protective seal, and possibly painted as well. Finally, the new wood siding can be installed.
Obviously, the process of replacing old damaged siding is not one to be taken lightly, as it is an important and difficult procedure. Luckily, it is possible to reduce the chances of wood siding taking enough damage to require replacement. However, in the event that damage to wood siding occurs, there is usually no alternative to replacing the damaged sections. Allowing the damage to stay can cause it to spread in some circumstances, particularly when dealing with certain kinds of rot.
While it is quite difficult, it is very important to replace damaged siding quickly in scenarios like these. Failing to do so can result in even greater damage. However, early and effective repairs can minimize the resulting problems.
