How Long Does Siding Last? An Expert Weighs In

Choosing the right siding type is one of the most important decisions a homeowner makes as the material selection dictates not only the visual aesthetic of your home but also the comfort and safety of its occupants. “In construction, we’re constantly at war with the elements,” says David Tudor, president and owner of Tudor Building Group in Nashville, Tennessee. In terms of time and money, siding installation is also a big investment, and mistakes are typically costly, so it’s important to educate yourself on the pros and cons of various siding types, starting with an understanding of the longevity and lifespan of different building materials. So how long does siding last?

The answer isn’t as straightforward as the question, Tudor says, but “environment and application play a large role.” To help you make the best decision for your home, explore the leading factors affecting the lifespan of popular siding types and discover how proper maintenance can maximize their performance. 

Factors That Affect Siding Lifespan

As Tudor suggests, the siding type and its applications (how and where it’s used on your home’s exterior) as well as the local environment and climate are smart places to start when beginning your siding journey with the goal of maximizing its longevity. But there are a number of other factors that can influence siding’s lifespan, including the quality of the installation job, proper maintenance, responsible cleaning and care, and timely professional repairs. 

Siding Type

Your budget will play a large role in the siding selection process as upfront material costs can range from $5 per square foot for vinyl and certain types of wood to as much as $50 per square foot for premium natural stone materials like limestone. The lifespan of those same siding types can vary just as wildly, spanning a handful of decades to more than a century. 

Environment and Climate

Siding is one of your home’s best defenses against the elements, so it’s important to understand how different siding types perform in the environmental conditions and weather patterns in your area. Factor in everything from average seasonal temperatures (both highs and lows), which can cause materials like wood to expand and contract, to annual rainfall to wind to humidity levels. Choosing an appropriate siding type for your climate is one of the easiest ways to maximize its longevity.

Quality of the Installation Job

Sure, a DIY job might be tempting in certain scenarios, especially in markets where labor costs are higher than average, but builders and architects agree that proper installation is critical to the performance and longevity of your home’s siding.

Maintenance, Care, and Repairs

From basic cleaning to painting to proper sealing to regular inspection and timely repairs, the degree of maintenance required for wood, vinyl, brick, fiber cement, and other siding types varies, but that upkeep is also one of the few factors affecting the longevity of your siding that is wholly under your control and when done correctly can add years to its lifespan. 

Lifespan of Popular Siding Materials

Vinyl

Introduced in the 1950s, this versatile plastic siding was designed to replace aluminum siding while mimicking the look of natural wood. Folks tend to have very definite opinions about vinyl—you either love it or hate it, but you can’t argue with the price. It’s relatively low-maintenance, too, but most builders we spoke with preferred newer wood alternatives like fiber cement or engineered wood, which boast longer lifespans and better aesthetics. 

• Average lifespan: 30+ years
• Factors influencing lifespan: Weather has a significant impact on the lifespan of vinyl siding. Hot sunny climates can cause premature fading and warping while extreme cold can cause the material to become brittle and crack, allowing moisture to seep in. 
• Maintenance tips to extend the lifespan: In the right setting, vinyl is fairly low maintenance and with proper attention can live on well past the thirty year mark. Choosing a light color for your vinyl siding means it won’t fade nearly as much in the bright sun; paler shades also absorb less heat, which helps combat the risk of warping. 

Wood

Natural wood siding, which comes in a wide range of wood types and styles, adds immediate warmth and curb appeal to your home, but technological advances have made wood alternatives like fiber cement increasingly popular for their increased durability and longer lifespan. If you decide to stick with the real thing, you’ll need to be diligent about maintenance and upkeep. 

• Average lifespan: 15-40+ years
• Factors influencing lifespan: The longevity of your wood siding starts with the timber type. When carefully and appropriately maintained, cedar and cypress are among the longest-lasting varieties, but that durability will cost you. No matter the wood type, weather, especially extreme temperatures, which cause wood to expand and contract, increasing the risk of moisture incursion, can adversely affect the lifespan—as can common wood-loving pests like termites and carpenter bees. 
• Maintenance tips to extend the lifespan: A fresh coat of paint will help protect your wood siding from moisture damage—you’ll need to repaint every five to ten years, depending on your home’s environment. Keeping your gutters and downspouts clear and giving the siding a gentle bath with a garden hose and scrub brush attachment are good ideas, too. “If you regularly clean your house, you’re going to notice any deficiencies a lot more readily than if you just leave it and just let it accumulate,” Tudor says. And timely repairs can make all the difference. 

Fiber Cement

With nearly all of the visual appeal of traditional wood siding but almost none of the drawbacks, fiber cement siding is becoming increasingly popular with architects, builders, and homeowners across a range of markets and climates for its impressive durability and dependability. You can’t talk about fiber cement without talking about James Hardie. Virtually synonymous with the material itself, the longtime industry leader offers traditional planks, shingles, and vertical panels (trim and soffit, too) as well as a high-end collection of extra-thick artisan planks. “A good fiber cement siding, like Hardie, that’s cleaned regularly is probably one of the best siding materials you can use,” Tudor says.

• Average lifespan: 50+ years
• Factors influencing lifespan: Hardie offers non-prorated warranties on their products for up to 30 years, but with the right care, Hardie fiber cement siding can last upwards of 50 to 100 years, depending on your home’s location and climate. But to reap all of the benefits of fiber cement quality installation is critical. 
• Maintenance tips to extend the lifespan: “[Fiber cement] is one of the lowest maintenance siding types,” Tudor says. As long as it’s installed properly, the only real maintenance required is a good cleaning every year or so. The Hardie team recommends using a simple garden hose and a soft cloth or brush to remove most dirt and grime. Installing fiber cement soffit and trim will further boost your siding’s lifespan.

Brick

“Brick or stone siding is going to last the longest,” Tudor says of various siding types. Brick, which is slightly cheaper than natural stone, is a classic choice and adds lasting character and charm to your home, and although it is one of the most expensive siding types, if it has been properly installed and even minimally maintained, it can last well over a century before it needs any major improvements. 

• Average lifespan: 100+ years
• Factors influencing lifespan: As discussed, quality installation carries significant weight with all siding types, but it’s particularly important with brick siding; once brick is laid and sealed appropriately it requires minimal upkeep other than an annual cleaning and inspection…if it’s done right. “If it’s done improperly, you can have the nicest brick in the world, but your house is still going to leak,” Tudor says. 
• Maintenance tips to extend the lifespan: A mild detergent and a scrub brush hose attachment is all that’s required to remove dirt from aging brick. For mildew or moss, which can accumulate on the exterior surfaces of damp brick, you’ll want to try a diluted bleach solution (1 cup to 1 gallon of water). If you choose to use a pressure washer, just make sure to keep a reasonable distance and avoid high pressure, Tudor advises, which could further disturb any damaged brick. And sure, they’re charming, but if you’re looking to maximize longevity, plants shouldn’t be allowed to grow on the side of your brick home as they can weaken the masonry.