How Often to Replace Siding on Your House in Iowa

By: RM Construction Services published (11/18/24)

Living in Iowa & the Midwest, homeowners face challenges in maintaining their homes, especially with their siding. With bitterly cold winters, sweltering summers, and extreme weather during all seasons, the siding on a home bears the brunt of the harsh Iowa elements. Different types of siding offer varying lifespans, maintenance needs, and levels of durability. Understanding how often to replace your siding—and identifying the warning signs that it’s time for a replacement—can help keep your home in peak condition and save you costly repairs in the future.

Key Takeaways

Vinyl Siding: Lasts 20-30 years; affordable and low-maintenance but will crack or fade in Iowa’s extreme weather conditions, especially during the winter.
Wood Siding: Offers a lifespan of 15-40 years with regular upkeep; beautiful but vulnerable to rot and pests.
Fiber Cement Siding: Durable for 30-50 years; highly resilient against Iowa’s harsh winters, moisture, and pests, making it ideal for the Midwest homes.
Aluminum Siding: Can last 30-50 years; resists moisture and fire but may dent and fade over time.
Wood Siding: Lasts 20-30 years; resembles natural wood and is more resistant to moisture, though periodic repainting helps extend its life.

1. Vinyl Siding

Lifespan: 20-30 years
Overview: Vinyl siding is one of the most popular choices across the U.S. due to its low cost, variety of styles, and easy maintenance. Vinyl holds up reasonably well to various climates but can be affected by the extreme weather patterns typical of the Midwest.
Suitability for Iowa: While vinyl can withstand some harsh weather, the freezing and thawing cycles, heavy snowfall, and sun exposure may cause it to crack, warp, or fade faster than other materials.
Signs of Replacement:
- Color Fading: Over time, vinyl may lose its original color, especially when exposed to high sun levels in the summer.
- Cracks and Warping: Iowa’s cold winters can make vinyl brittle, causing it to crack. Warping and buckling can also occur due to fluctuating temperatures.
- Loose or Missing Panels: High winds or storms can pull vinyl panels loose, compromising the structure’s insulation and waterproofing.
Maintenance Tips: Clean vinyl siding once a year with a garden hose to remove dirt buildup, and perform a visual inspection after every season. Keeping up with minor repairs can extend its lifespan.

2. Wood Siding

Lifespan: 15-40 years (depends on wood type and maintenance)
Overview: Wood siding offers natural beauty and a timeless aesthetic, making it a popular choice for traditional and rustic-style homes. While cedar siding can last longer than other wood types, all wood siding is susceptible to moisture, pests, and weathering without regular treatment.
Suitability for Iowa: Iowa’s humidity, frequent rain, and extreme cold make wood siding a higher-maintenance option. Wood siding can rot, warp, or suffer from insect damage if not properly treated, and it generally requires more frequent maintenance than other materials.
Signs of Replacement:
- Rotting or Decaying Wood: This can occur at joints and edges, where moisture tends to settle. Rotting wood can jeopardize the structural integrity of the siding.
- Insect Damage: Termites and carpenter ants are common culprits for wood siding damage, leaving visible holes or weakening the structure.
- Warps, Splits, or Cracks: Wood is vulnerable to expansion and contraction due to Iowa’s temperature swings. Warping can indicate significant weather damage.
Maintenance Tips: To extend the life of wood siding, apply a fresh coat of paint or stain every 3-5 years, and trim surrounding vegetation to prevent moisture retention. Inspections are crucial to spot and treat early signs of rot or pest infestations.

3. Fiber Cement Siding

Lifespan: 30-50 years
Overview: Fiber cement siding, made from a blend of cement, sand, and cellulose fibers, is one of the most durable options on the market. This material is highly resistant to extreme weather, impacts, and pests, making it a top-tier choice for Iowa’s harsh climate.
Suitability for Iowa: With outstanding resilience against moisture, pests, and temperature fluctuations, fiber cement siding stands up well to Iowa’s harsh winters. It resists cracking in cold weather and won’t rot or attract insects, unlike other materials, making it ideal for Iowa homeowners. Read more on why fiber cement is a great choice for Midwest climates, check out Best Siding for Extreme Winter Weather in Iowa 2024.
Signs of Replacement:
- Hairline Cracks or Minor Damage: While uncommon, minor cracks can occasionally appear over decades.
- Fading Paint: Although fiber cement itself is long-lasting, its paint may gradually fade, and a fresh coat can often restore its appearance.
Maintenance Tips: Fiber cement siding requires minimal upkeep. Occasional cleaning is typically enough, and repainting every 15-20 years will help maintain its fresh look for your home. Inspect every few years to catch any minor issues early on.

4. Aluminum Siding

Lifespan: 30-50 years
Overview: Aluminum siding is known for its durability and resistance to weather. While it was widely used in the past, it has become less popular due to the rise of vinyl and fiber cement options. However, aluminum is still a reliable choice, especially for moisture and fire resistance.
Suitability for Iowa: Iowa’s humid summers and snowy winters are well-tolerated by aluminum, which resists moisture damage. However, aluminum siding is prone to denting, especially from hail, and its color can fade or “chalk” over time.
Signs of Replacement:
- Dents and Dings: Hail and flying debris can cause visible dents in aluminum siding, impacting curb appeal.
- Faded or Chalking Paint: This occurs when the paint wears off, leaving a powdery residue that affects the appearance.
- Warping: Aluminum siding can start to warp or pull away from the structure, especially after many years of exposure to heat and cold.
Maintenance Tips: Clean aluminum siding annually to remove dirt and keep it looking fresh. Repainting every 10-15 years can restore its appearance, while promptly addressing dents can keep it in top shape.

5. Engineered Wood Siding

Lifespan: 20-30 years
Overview: Engineered wood siding is a modern alternative to traditional wood, designed to be more resilient to the elements and require less maintenance. It combines the aesthetic appeal of natural wood with the strength of composite materials, making it less vulnerable to moisture and insect damage.
Suitability for Iowa: Engineered wood is more resistant to Iowa’s high humidity and freezing winters than natural wood, but it still requires occasional repainting and repairs to extend its life. Its moisture-resistant coating makes it a solid choice for midwestern climates.
Signs of Replacement:
- Bulging or Buckling: This is often due to moisture infiltration, especially if the protective coating begins to wear.
- Rot or Mold Growth: Although engineered wood resists these issues better than natural wood, signs of rot or mold can indicate it’s time for replacement.
- Severe Fading or Peeling Paint: Significant fading may require a full replacement rather than just repainting.
Maintenance Tips: Inspect engineered wood siding annually, particularly for signs of moisture or rot. Applying a fresh coat of paint or stain every 10 years can help maintain its durability.

FAQ

What Are the Top Warning Signs of Siding Needing to Be Replaced?

Look for visible warping, cracking, and fading as initial signs that siding may need replacement. Mold/mildew or pest damage in wood or engineered wood siding can also indicate a problem. Other indicators include loose panels, buckling or bulging, and faded or chalky paint on aluminum. Check out our previous blog for more information Top 7 Warning Signs of Siding Failure

How Can I Extend the Lifespan of My Siding?

o extend siding life, perform regular maintenance: wash your siding annually, repair minor damage as it arises, and apply protective finishes to wood or engineered wood every few years. Repainting fiber cement and aluminum every 15-20 years will also help maintain their appearance

Need a New Siding for your home? Contact RM Construction Services

If you live in the Iowa City and Cedar Rapids area and need a new siding for your home, call RM Construction Services today at (319) 961-0541. With our five-star rating on Google, you can trust their team of experts to handle all aspects of siding, roofing and gutter installations, ensuring the job is done safely and efficiently to your needs.

Explore Our Roofing & Gutter Services:

225 Beaver Kreek Center, North Liberty, Iowa 52317

(319) 961-0541

RM Construction Services | Serving Iowa City, North Liberty, Tiffin, Oxford, Coralville, Swisher, Cedar Rapids, Marion, and surrounding areas.

Social media: https://www.facebook.com/people/RM-Construction-Services/61559551272952/

Leave a 5 star review: https://g.page/r/CXsLGRJVXfCBEAE/review

Local Directiories:

https://www.manta.com/c/m1w4pq9/rm-construction-services

https://www.yelp.com/biz/rm-construction-north-liberty

https://www.mapquest.com/us/iowa/rm-construction-701944346

https://www.homeadvisor.com/rated.RMConstruction.144870165.html

https://www.trustpilot.com/review/rmconstructioniowa.com

https://nextdoor.com/pages/rm-construction-services-siding-roofing-gutters-north-liberty-ia/?init_source=org_pages&utm_campaign=1732555837053 https://nextdoor.com/pages/rm-construction-services-siding-roofing-gutters-north-liberty-ia/?init_source=org_pages&utm_campaign=1732555837053