Freezing cold, snowstorms, ice, and strong winds… If you live in Chicago, these patterns are all too familiar! Winter’s up-and-down temperatures are tough on our area’s homes, and it’s a must to have your exterior properly protected.
Strong, weather-resistant siding acts as your home’s first line of defense against wintery freeze-thaw cycles. But which siding material will give you durability, along with stress-free upkeep to ease your way into winter? Here’s a look at different siding options and how they compare when it comes to Chicago’s cold weather.
What Makes Freeze-Thaw Cycles Such a Problem for Your Exterior?
Whenever moisture is present, it can sneak into little cracks and weaken your house’s structure. This issue comes up a lot in winter, because freezing temperatures cause snow and ice to sit atop and around your home. Then, when the temps rise, everything starts to thaw…and drip.
Why Winter Moisture Can Damage Siding
When moisture gets behind siding in winter, it freezes and expands, then melts and contracts. This expansion and contraction process puts pressure on siding boards, causing them to shift, crack, and allow more moisture to get in.
What to Look for in Freeze-Thaw Resistant Siding
To defend your home against winter weather, choose siding that’s durable and strong. It needs to be less vulnerable to expanding and contracting when temperatures shift. Moisture resistance matters too, and ideally you should install siding that’s low maintenance, so you don’t get behind on needed upkeep.
How Different Siding Materials Hold Up Against Chicago Winters
Now that you can see why freezing followed by thaws can harm your exterior, let’s dig deeper into the different siding choices available to you, and how they perform in our cold weather.
Fiber Cement
For a perfect mix of durability, strong performance, style and weather resistance, it’s hard to beat fiber cement. The industry leader, James Hardie, is a favorite among homeowners in Chicago because of how beautifully it guards against freeze-thaw cycles and so much more!
Fiber cement is superior at resisting moisture. It won’t rot or warp, and it doesn’t dent or crack when struck by hail or ice. In fact, Hardie siding comes in a specific line of Hardie® Zone products that are engineered specifically to handle weather like Chicago experiences.
Hardie siding doesn’t need much upkeep to resist freezes and thaws. But make sure you choose experts to do the installation, so the boards are hung properly. As a Hardie Elite Preferred contractor, our team maintains the highest standards of training, installation techniques, and service to ensure you get top results. This includes careful installation of the Hardie™ Weather Barrier, then thoroughly sealing the boards so moisture has nowhere to get in.
Steel
For modern style and weather resistance, metal siding is in! Seamless steel panels have fewer places where moisture can sneak underneath, and they have cutting-edge coatings to help resist rust. They don’t give termites and other pests a place to nest. Premium metal siding can last 40-70 years—a definite advantage!
You’ll get the best performance out of steel siding with proper installation, followed by attentive upkeep. Metal can expand and contract during freeze-thaw cycles. To address this, our team makes sure steel siding is properly fastened with expansion joints that keep it in place as temperatures shift.
You’ll also want to inspect steel siding regularly and touch up small scratches, which prevents those spots from getting corroded.
Vinyl
A popular choice for Chicago homeowners, vinyl has a lot of appealing features, including affordability, low maintenance, and good insulation value. When it comes to Chicago’s weather ups-and-downs, modern vinyl like Mastic siding stands up well.
High-performance vinyl siding doesn’t easily warp, especially when installed by experts like us—we know just how to set it in place so it can expand and contract without leading to moisture intrusion. Its modern foam backing helps keep the boards securely intact against freeze-thaw related cracks.
Still, vinyl siding does need some minor upkeep to be winter-ready. Check its caulking and replace any that’s missing. Have damaged boads replaced to keep moisture from sneaking behind them.
Stone Veneer
With its elegant design and durable nature, stone veneer is a great siding option for Chicago area homes. You’ll enjoy strong resistance to all sorts of weather, including cold snaps, warmups, melting snow, hail, wind, and more.
Stone veneer (such as our favorite, Versetta Stone) is also extremely easy to care for. You won’t need to paint it, and you’ll appreciate its charming appeal for decades without worry.
One thing to know is that stone veneer needs proper installation for the best results. This includes adding a weather barrier and correct mortar application to keep out moisture.
Natural and Engineered Wood
For centuries, wood has been a traditional choice. Its organic vibe and beauty are so appealing, and if you live in a historic neighborhood, authentic cedar may be required.
However, wood is highly susceptible to moisture and temperature changes. In winter, it can easily swell, warp, and break. If you don’t consistently maintain it through regular painting, repairs, and replacement of damaged boards, your home will be at a significant risk of rot, mold, and pest infestations. No thanks!
Some homeowners address this by using engineered wood, which blends natural wood with resins and other protective treatments. It’s more durable, but it still needs to be cared for, painted regularly, and repaired promptly.
Ensure Your Home Is Winter-Ready with Strong, Moisture-Resistant Siding
Let’s face it—Chicago winters are no joke, so prepare your home to endure our nasty freeze-thaw cycles. Inspect your siding to ensure it looks good and perform winterizing basics like clearing gutters before snow arrives.
If you notice siding damage or want a modern solution with strong weather performance and easy upkeep, Siding & Windows Group has your back! Check out the many versatile, attractive siding options we offer, and envision your home transformed and ready to stand up to winter like a champ!
