Is It Time to Restore Your Exterior Wood Siding?

Siding is a type of protective material that attaches to a structure’s exterior walls. It serves as the first line of defense against the changing climate conditions and prevents heated and cooled air from escaping through the small gaps and cracks in the walls. Siding can also enhance a structure’s visual appeal. It comes in a range of styles and materials, one of which is the popular wood siding often used on homes. Learn more about wood siding, its restoration process, and signs your siding might need to be restored in the following blog.

What Is Wood Siding?

Photo by Jonathan Mast on Unsplash

Wood siding is a type of material that is placed on the outside of a home to protect the structure from the elements. Wood siding is also an appealing choice for many homeowners because of the natural beauty it can bring to the home. 

The main subcategories of wood siding include rectangular plank, plywood, clapboard, and shingles. Rectangular plank siding features planks of wood, installed vertically with pieces of batten covering the joints to prevent moisture penetration. 

Clapboard siding is similar, although the planks are installed horizontally with some overlap. Plywood siding has multiple layers of wood veneer that are permanently affixed and installed over the exterior walls. Shingles provide a more rustic look and can be installed in a pattern, often with some overlap.

Pros of Wood Siding

This natural material is easy to stain or paint and relatively easy to install, making it a top choice among contractors and construction experts. Because wood is a renewable resource, environmentally conscious property owners often choose it as an eco-friendly alternative to siding made from plastic and other man-made materials. If maintained properly, wood siding can last for many years. It also comes in various types, including pine, fir, spruce, cedar, cypress, and redwood. Each wood type has its own unique appearance and grain pattern, helping enhance a structure’s exterior appeal.

Cons of Wood Siding

One of the drawbacks of wood siding is it requires regular maintenance. When you have this material on your home, you’ll likely need to invest in restaining or repainting it every few years. Dirt and grime can also build up on the material, impacting its appearance. If moisture gets behind the siding, mold and mildew can grow, threatening the structure’s condition. Wood-boring insects, such as termites and carpenter ants, can cause problems with wood siding as well, since they love to gnaw on the material. 

Signs Wood Siding Needs To Be Restored

Maintaining the exterior of a home can be a hassle, but failing to do so can cause a variety of issues. The roof and siding are some of the most important components of your structure, especially when it comes to protecting the interior from moisture damage. It’s important to keep an eye out for these three warning signs of trouble with your wood siding:

Cracks or Holes

Cracks and holes in your wood siding indicate this material needs immediate attention. Even a small crack can allow moisture to seep in, which can lead to mold growth and wood rot. A major storm can damage the siding, as can debris that hits the side of the house. Keep an eye on the material on your home to identify signs of early damage. 

Mold or Mildew Growth

The presence of mold or mildew on or behind your wood siding is concerning, as well. Although mold and mildew are natural substances that grow when moisture is present, they can cause significant damage and spread very quickly. When moisture penetrates the siding through gaps or holes, it can also move into your home, where it can destroy the drywall, flooring, and any personal possessions in its path. Mold growth in your home also threatens the indoor air quality, which can be particularly concerning for those with asthma, allergies, and other respiratory health conditions.

Chipped or Faded Paint

The paint or stain on your home’s wood siding helps protect it from moisture penetration and other climate conditions. But you must replace it every few years, the exact frequency of which depends on the climate conditions it’s consistently exposed to and the rating of the paint or stain used. If you notice the paint or stain is starting to chip or fade, it’s important to take action right away.  

Wood Siding Restoration

At Teak Master, we specialize in wood siding restoration. Our experienced technicians can restore this material to its previous condition, which is often a cost-effective alternative to replacing the wood siding completely. We have more than two decades of experience performing exterior wood restoration, and we’ve restored wood siding and other exterior elements for countless clients in Southern California.

Our process begins with the cleaning and stripping of your wood siding. We take this step to remove any previous coatings and eliminate damage caused by weather conditions. Our technicians can use various cleaning methods to remove contaminants and debris present on the surface of the wood siding. The next step is sanding the wood, which exposes a fresh layer and removes any remaining debris. Certain types of wood can’t be sanded, so we’ll exercise our best judgment before taking this step. We then clean and brighten the wood to return it to its natural color.

After removing the last of the debris and exposing a smooth, fresh surface, we will then apply a protective coating to your wood siding. This is the final step in the restoration process, and it helps protect the siding from future damage. We’ll talk to you about the look you want for your home’s exterior and use the proper coating based on the type of wood used and what will deliver the best protection. We’ll also provide instructions on how to care for and maintain the wood in the future.

Contact the Exterior Wood Siding Experts at Teak Master

Don’t spend a fortune replacing your wood siding when you can have it restored by our team of restoration experts. We love the natural beauty of wood siding and can help restore its appearance while protecting your home’s interior from the changing climate conditions. If you have questions or would like to request an estimate for wood siding restoration, contact us today.