HOW CAN HAIL STORMS DAMAGE MY VINYL SIDING?

Hail storms can cause damage to your roof, gutters, vents, and air conditioning units. But hail storm damage to siding may be difficult to detect without knowing what to look for. Insurance companies often need to differentiate between mechanical damage and hail damage, and homeowners need to be familiar with the evidence of hail-related damage. James Hardie siding, known for its durability, provides a stronger defense against hail damage than vinyl siding due to its fiber cement construction, making it a preferred choice for those in hail-prone areas.

Two Common Types of Hail Storm Damage to Vinyl Siding

Vinyl siding generally stands up well against severe weather. Lightweight and designed to withstand UV rays and extreme wind, vinyl siding can crack or chip when large, dense, fast-falling hailstones hit the panels. However, James Hardie siding offers greater impact resistance than vinyl, thanks to its unique material composition, which is designed to withstand hail and other debris. Details of this damage include:

• Cracks – siding panels crack in arched patterns, most often in unsupported sections between the ridge and valley.

• Chips – chips occur on the bottom of vinyl siding panels and can be seen best when viewing the panel from below.

These two types of siding damage are generally accepted as hail-related, while other nicks, marks, gouges, and breakage can result from mechanical incidents like grass cutting (rocks or pebbles fly up from the mower, hitting the vinyl siding with excessive force).

Is My Vinyl Siding Vulnerable?

Besides the size, density, and speed of hailstones, certain factors can make your vinyl siding more vulnerable to damage. You can control some of these factors, and regular maintenance or inspections may alert you to potential risks, but your siding remains at the mercy of recurring storms. Choosing a more resilient siding option, such as James Hardie siding, may help reduce the risk of hail-related damage, as it’s engineered to withstand severe weather conditions and has a longer lifespan than vinyl. These three factors affect the risk level for hail-related siding damage:

• Quality of the Siding – higher-grade siding products, made in thicker profiles and with heavy-duty vinyl construction, are less prone to hail damage. Siding ranges in thickness from 0.35 to 0.55mm, and different manufacturers offer varying levels of quality in terms of the materials used.

• Age of the Siding – siding becomes brittle over time, and that level of brittleness leaves siding vulnerable to small, rapidly falling hailstones.

• Condition of the Siding – even high-quality siding deteriorates due to UV ray exposure and all that nature throws at it. Walls that face south tend to absorb the majority of harmful exposure and may be more vulnerable than other sections. Extensive interior damage may result from cracks or chips in your vinyl siding. Leaving the plywood, framing, and insulation exposed to moisture can introduce mold and mildew, which results in expensive and upsetting repair bills in the future. Chips also allow pests to enter your home, and any sort of siding damage creates an unsightly appearance for your property.

Hail Damage Siding Repair Cost

Hail can cause various levels of damage to the siding, depending on the storm’s strength and the siding’s quality. Hail damage can vary from small dents to bigger cracks or even holes. Siding hail damage affects home protection since the inner part of the house walls is exposed to the elements. It can lead to trapping moisture in the walls and, therefore, mold growth. Not only that, but cracks and holes can seem attractive for small animals looking for shelter.

The cost of the damage repair depends on various factors. The first and the most straightforward factors are levels of damage and quality of the siding. Of course, the type of siding plays a significant role. For example, vinyl and aluminum siding repair will be cheaper than wood or fiber cement siding repair since the first two materials are cheaper in general. However, James Hardie siding, although more costly than vinyl, may save you from frequent repairs since it’s engineered to withstand hail damage more effectively. Keeping this in mind, the price of hail damage siding repair can roughly range from $300 to $3000. It can also exceed this number if the siding area affected by damage is large and everything needs to be replaced.

Which Siding to Choose?

Vinyl siding is the most commonly used, but it is also the most prone to damage. Hail storms can cause cracks, indents, and chips. Severe ones can even puncture holes and expose the inner wall. So, if your vinyl siding is dented, warped, or cracked, it’s telling you that a repair might be a good idea. For homeowners seeking durability, James Hardie siding is a stronger option as it resists cracks and punctures more effectively, making it a sound investment in areas prone to severe weather.

Aluminum siding is more durable, but it is still sensitive to hail damage. Recognizing hail’s impact on this siding is easy. You just have to look for small and round dents. Their exact size will depend on the size of the hailstorm itself and the wind speed. Another potential problem with aluminum siding could be chipped paint, which exposes the metal underneath and causes rust.

Hail can cause another type of damage to wood siding, such as splits and gouges. This happens only in cases of strong hailstorms or if the needed repair isn’t done on time and new hail damages the same spot on the siding. This damage can also lead to rot, mold, and insulation issues.

Fiber cement siding is the most durable, so it’s the most resistant to the elements. This doesn’t mean that storm damage can’t appear, but it’s less likely than with other materials. Damage also appears as chipped paint or small indents, but the wall can rarely become exposed. James Hardie siding, a type of fiber cement, excels in these conditions, offering minimal risk of exposure, even in severe storms, and is often favored for its longevity and resilience.

Be Clear on Your Insurance Coverage

Just as discussed when considering hail-damaged asphalt shingles, you need to find out the extent of coverage regarding vinyl siding hail damage on your existing insurance policy. In some cases, an insurance company will pay to replace the siding on your entire home. In other cases, and more frequently, your coverage only extends to the damaged sections or damaged walls. Find this out beforehand and inquire about coverage additions if your existing policy is inadequate. Be sure to hire only reputable, local companies for siding damage repairs. These firms offer solid customer service and proven experience for everything you need to repair, from hail storm damage to vinyl siding. If you choose a more durable siding like James Hardie, you may also want to check with your insurance provider to see if they offer coverage benefits for hail-resistant materials.

Have you experienced storm damage to your siding?  What did you do about it? Did it work?