Northern Colorado Weather and Siding Issues

All siding materials have unique properties that make people find the perfect fit in different ones. But whether it’s wood (the most high maintenance!) or any other siding options, these can all be vulnerable to weather damage if left unprotected.

Even during the mildest winters, Northern Colorado weather can often be brutal on the exterior of homes. Here are some weather and siding issues to watch out for, plus a few tips on how to solve, or better yet, prevent them.

Wind Damage on Siding

Intense winter winds can come for loose siding with great force. Winds can be strong enough to loosen or even dislodge vinyl panels, and wooden shingles. To avoid wood from warping or cracking, protect it with exterior painting or staining using high-quality products.

Wind damage can also come from the debris that is picked up and whipped against your home by the wind. The holes and dents made by the debris hitting your home full force obviously make your exterior siding look less appealing. But they also allow moisture and pests to invade your space and cause greater problems.

Excess Moisture on Siding

Even siding that can withstand harsh winds can be vulnerable to damage. And all siding materials have different levels of porosity. But if left unprotected, even the sturdiest bricks and stones will allow water to seep through them.

Wood siding is perhaps the most high-maintenance in the moisture prevention category. Whether it’s from rain, snow/ice build-up, or humidity in the atmosphere, exposed (without any paint, stain, or otherwise protective layer) wood is bound to absorb moisture. This could cause the wood to expand, crack. Or worse yet, allow moisture to get to the foundation of your home and lead to wood rot.

Sun Damage on Siding

The powerful rays of the sun can also cause many issues for siding if you have prolonged periods of sun exposure like we do in Northern Colorado. Living at a higher elevation, and the sun having less atmosphere to travel through, we experience higher solar radiation.

The ultraviolet (UV) degrades chemical binders in the paint, causing fading in the color, and overall damage to the integrity of the paint. Worse yet, UV radiation from the sun can cause blistering, cracking, peeling, and even chalking, which is residue from loosened pigment particles.

Preventing The Worst

Unfortunately, problems like chalking and cracking are irreversible. A combination of this and excess moisture from melted snow buildup leaking into your foundation from crevices created by wind would make the perfect storm to destroy your home.

As the outer layer holding it all in, paint is your building’s first line of defense against the elements. If you’re interested in seeing how you can give your home its best chance of survival against Northern Colorado weather, give the experts at CertaPro Painters of Fort Collins a call to schedule your free estimate.