Take a fresh look at your lifestyle.

Maintaining and Replacing Your Home’s Exterior

A constant part of homeowning is figuring out when to update your home’s exterior. When the time comes, professionals will need to be contacted. Certain homeowners can perform some of these tasks themselves, but most jobs require professional help.

Your exterior’s lifespan can be prolonged with maintenance. Depending on the material, siding can be repainted to mitigate fading due to harsh weather conditions, or dilapidated sections can be replaced in the case of water or insect damage. To replace the siding with the correct material, be aware of what material was used when the house was first built.

Vinyl, a common siding material, can survive anywhere from 30 to 40 years. More durable material such as stucco and steel can last over 40 years while fiber cement can remain viable for 100 years. Wood, a natural material, will usually survive anywhere from 20 to 40 years depending on maintenance. Replacement will be necessary if there are signs of condensation buildup, mold, or weather damage.

For garage doors, the average door will last 15-30 years depending on the material, as well as how often it gets used and weather factors. Homeowners can extend the life of their garage doors by replacing different parts as issues arise, such as rollers and weather seals, and providing standard routine maintenance.

Another exterior that requires maintenance are gutters. Vinyl, steel, and aluminum gutters can survive 20 years before needing to be replaced, while copper gutters can last for more than 50 years. Gutters should be cleaned twice a year, possibly more depending on weather factors. During cleaning, be aware of any punctures, rust, sagging or splitting.

Before embarking on any DIY project, review your homeowner’s insurance policy and seek counsel from professionals. For more information on even more home exteriors, please read the provided resourced created by CMB Garage Doors.


Infographic created by CMB Garage Doors, New Mexico specialists in garage door installation

Comments are closed.