Common Siding Problems in Denver, CO
The Rocky Mountains might offer spectacular views, but their effect on your siding is less enjoyable. Denver’s climate comes with high altitudes, dramatic temperature fluctuations, and heavy winds that wreak havoc on your siding. Snow and ice create the perfect environment for cracks, while heavy showers leave warps and buckles.
Extreme winds are even more destructive. They constantly expose your siding to debris, so winter weather can leave your property looking tired and worn. To add to the destruction, The Mile High City also exposes your siding to 10% more UV radiation than sea-level homes, so your coatings and natural surfaces need a strong passive solar design strategy.
Material madness
The wrong siding material choice can be catastrophic for the rest of your home’s infrastructure, so this is one of the most important decisions you’ll ever make about your property. It’s tempting to choose real logs. That rugged Colorado look is tough to beat, but wood attracts insects and tends to crack in the Denver sun.
For a time, vinyl took its place as the siding material of choice in mountain homes. It can certainly mimic the look of natural materials superbly, but it can’t tolerate UV rays. It buckles in heavy rains and requires an extra treatment for waterproofing.
Fiber cement siding is a relatively new kid on the block. It’s already built an impressive reputation for high altitude homes. Unlike vinyl, it doesn’t split in dry, chilly temperatures. When primed and finished well, it resists insects, woodpeckers, and wood rot.
Aluminum is another option that performs well during extreme winters. While cheap steel products will buckle at high altitudes, 53-gauge products will extend your siding’s life expectancy. Aluminum also wins the insulation race against vinyl, so it can reduce your monthly heating costs substantially. It copes well with Colorado’s rainy season without rusting and keeps even the most determined woodpeckers at bay.
Windy wonderlands
High winds and hurricanes needn’t cause devastating losses. With the right siding strategy, you can prevent gales from sneaking beneath your panels and tearing them off. Pay particular attention to the way your siding attaches to your door and window frames. The more your siding contracts and expands, the sooner your panels will pull away from your house, so it’s best not to use two different metals.
A house wrap will keep water and mildew away, but your siding still needs to achieve an mph rating of over 110. Installation methods matter, too. The way nails, caulk, and seals are handled will have a drastic impact on wind tolerance. Siding extensions also need to be limited to reduce wind grab. In other words, choose a skilled contractor who’s familiar with Denver’s climatic effects.
Horizontal versus vertical siding
The placement of your siding is as important as its materials. Horizontal layouts allow leakage beneath each siding strip, so warping and mildew will be swift to follow. That doesn’t tell the whole story, though. Driving rain will lift the grain of horizontal boards, causing even more moisture damage.
Vertical boards let water run with the grain, so they shed extra moisture. The best solution is maximizing the size and seam of your siding. The more gaps it has between panels, the more moisture you’ll experience, so full, unbeveled boards are best.
Denver is cruel terrain for a home, but with the right product and installation team, you can overcome Mother Nature’s assaults. Siding is an important ally in the hunt for altitude resistance. The right choice will protect you from the elements while enhancing your home’s design, so this isn’t the time to skimp.
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