If your home feels drafty or you’re seeing higher energy bills, your siding could be causing it. As siding ages, it can develop gaps and cracks that let in cold air during the winter and heat in the summer, making it harder to regulate indoor temperatures. This often leads to a noticeable drop in comfort and a rise in energy costs.
In this blog, we’ll show you how to identify whether your siding is responsible for drafts and energy inefficiency, and how replacing it can help restore your home’s energy efficiency.
Identifying the Problem
Drafts and energy inefficiencies often start small, making them easy to overlook. Here are some signs to help you determine if your siding is contributing to the problem:
1. Cold Spots Inside Your Home
When you walk through your home, do you notice certain areas that feel colder than others during the winter? These cold spots might indicate gaps or compromised siding that allows outdoor air to seep in.
2. Visible Gaps and Cracks
Take a walk around the exterior of your home and inspect your siding closely. Gaps, cracks, or separations between the siding panels or trim can be a major source of drafts and energy loss.
3. Moisture Damage
Look for signs of moisture damage, such as warped siding, mold, or discoloration. Moisture intrusion compromises your siding’s integrity and leads to additional energy inefficiencies.
4. Higher Energy Bills
If your heating or cooling costs are climbing, your siding might not be providing the insulation your home needs. Older siding often lacks modern moisture and energy management systems, leading to inefficiency.
Understanding the Cause
The root of siding-related drafts often lies in outdated or damaged materials. Homes built before the 1990s frequently lack proper moisture management systems, leaving them vulnerable to drafts and energy loss. Older siding might not have been installed with a house wrap or moisture barrier, which is now a standard feature in siding projects.
Without these protective layers, air can seep through gaps and cracks, reducing your home’s energy efficiency. At Bellwether, we use advanced materials and techniques to ensure your home is properly sealed and insulated.
Solution: Bellwether’s Siding Replacement Process
When you hire Bellwether for your siding replacement project, you’re choosing a complete solution to eliminate drafts and improve your home’s energy efficiency.
Step 1: Remove the Old Siding
We start by carefully removing the old siding and inspecting the underlying structure for damage or deficiencies.
Step 2: Replace the Sheathing
Once the old siding is removed, we install new OSB sheathing to provide a solid foundation for the new siding.
Step 3: Install a Moisture Barrier
Next, we wrap your home with a high-quality moisture barrier, such as James Hardie’s moisture wrap or Tyvek. This layer prevents air and moisture infiltration, creating a tight seal for better energy efficiency.
Step 4: Tape and Seal All Seams
To ensure no gaps remain, we tape and seal all seams in the moisture barrier, locking out drafts and enhancing your home’s thermal envelope.
Step 5: Install New Siding
Finally, we install your new siding, tailored to your style preferences and designed for long-term durability and efficiency.
Why Choose Bellwether?
At Bellwether, we’re committed to providing expert siding replacement services that solve energy efficiency issues. Our team uses advanced techniques and premium materials to ensure your home is sealed, protected, and beautiful. We focus on the details so that you can enjoy a more comfortable and energy-efficient home.
In Summary
If your siding is causing drafts and energy loss, you might notice cold spots, visible gaps, or rising energy bills in your home. Bellwether’s siding replacement services address these problems by removing outdated siding, resolving underlying issues, and installing materials that enhance your home’s energy efficiency.
Don’t let siding causing drafts and energy loss prevent you from enjoying a comfortable home—contact us today to schedule your consultation.
