What are the signs your siding needs attention?
Siding usually tells you when it is failing. Cracks, holes and dents after hail, warping or buckling, soft spots, gaps at seams and corners, mold or algae, and paint that won’t last on one wall all point to a problem. Most of these signs mean water is getting behind the panels, which is the real concern.
- Cracks, splits or holes, especially after a hail storm.
- Warping or buckling, which usually means moisture behind the panel or poor fastening.
- Soft spots when you press on the siding, a sign of rot in the siding or the sheathing behind it.
- Paint that keeps failing on one wall. Repainting every few years often means the material underneath is breaking down.
- Gaps at seams, corners and around windows, where water gets in.
- Mold, mildew or algae, a reliable sign that moisture is trapped.
What is behind your siding, and why does it matter?
Behind the siding is sheathing, and over the sheathing is a weather barrier with flashing at every window, door and opening. That layer keeps the wall dry. Many leaks blamed on siding are actually flashing details that were never done right, and new siding over a bad barrier fails the same way.
When old siding comes off, the sheathing is exposed. If water has been getting in around a window, through a failed flashing or behind an overflowing gutter, the damage shows there, and we show it to you with photos. Covering rotted sheathing with new siding buys a few years and a bigger bill later.
The weather barrier also has to be lapped correctly, top over bottom, so water runs out rather than in. Window and door flashing must be integrated with it. These details are invisible once the siding is on, so ask any contractor how they handle them.
Which siding materials make sense in North Texas?
The common choices in DFW are fiber cement, engineered wood, vinyl and metal. Each handles heat, hail and humidity differently, and each has a different price and upkeep. The right choice depends on the house, the budget, your HOA and how long you plan to stay. We walk through the trade-offs before you choose.
| Material | Strengths | Trade-offs |
|---|---|---|
| Fiber cement | Stable in heat and humidity, resists hail better than vinyl, holds paint, non-combustible | Heavier and more labor to install |
| Engineered wood | Wood look, lighter weight | Needs paint and sealed edges |
| Vinyl | Lowest cost, little upkeep | Strong sun is hard on it; cracks in hail |
| Metal | Durable, modern look | Can dent in hail |
We install LP SmartSide, James Hardie fiber cement, cedar, aluminum and other siding brands.
How does hail damage to siding get handled with insurance?
Hail that damages a roof has usually hit the siding too, and it often belongs on the same claim. Adjusters don’t always inspect the walls as thoroughly as the roof, so we photograph each elevation with damage and include it in the documentation. You file and manage the claim; we document the damage and explain what we found.
Siding damage also helps show how severe a storm was. Dents and cracks on one side of the house point to the direction the hail came from, which helps make sense of the roof damage. Our storm damage page explains the process after hail, and the insurance claims guide covers how claims work in Texas.
Should you repair or replace siding?
Repair is the sensible choice when the damage is limited to a few panels and a reasonable match is available. Replacement makes more sense when damage is spread across several walls, the sheathing behind is rotting, or the profile is discontinued and a patch would stand out on the front of the house.
New siding is also a good time to deal with exterior paint and gutters, because the work overlaps. For more background, read our post on replacing your house siding. To book a free estimate, call (817) 754-9484 or request one online.