6 Reasons Your Home’s Siding Fades and How to Prevent It

When vibrant siding color fades and loses its luster over time, it can feel disheartening each time you come home to your exterior. Faded siding dims your house’s curb appeal and makes it look older and more outdated.

The good news is that you can discover discover why siding fades and how to prevent it it. By gaining this knowledge, you’ll be armed with what you need to keep your Kansas City or Shawnee area home in tip-top shape—even during sweltering summers! 

6 Common Reasons Why Siding Fades 

1. UV Exposure

Over time, ultraviolet rays from the sun tend to break down the chemical bonds in siding pigment, causing vibrant colors to grow dim and fade, leaving your home looking drab. 

2. Moisture Damage

Siding materials that were not engineered to resist moisture intrusion can experience costly water damage. When water seeps into your siding, its paint may peel and fade—creating a lackluster appearance to your exterior. 

3. Natural Aging

When siding gets old, it indeed fades. Time and weather have a way of impacting siding materials. 

4. Environmental Influences 

Dirt, debris, and even pollution can accumulate on siding, creating discoloration and fading over the years. 

5. Subpar Siding Material

When siding planks aren’t engineered to be resilient, they will become more vulnerable to fading prematurely, lowering your home’s curb appeal. 

6. Oxidation

Oxidation creates a chalky residue on the siding that makes it look faded. When siding is exposed to oxygen, it sometimes produces a dim look over time. The good news is that this is not permanent fading. You can clean your siding, and the faded look will disappear! 

How to Prevent or Minimize Fading 

1. Clean Your Siding Once or Twice a Year

The level of care you give your home’s siding will impact its looks throughout its lifespan. Prioritize cleaning it every spring and fall to remove dirt, debris, and mold. To preserve your siding’s integrity, resist the temptation to use a pressure washer, as you could do more harm than good, compromising your home’s protection from the elements. 

Grab your garden hose, some mild soap, and a soft, medium bristle nylon siding brush. Work from top to bottom one section at a time, ensuring you remove all dirt and debris. You’ll likely only need mild soap on stubborn areas unless your siding has mold, mildew or algae growth. In that case, find and test the appropriate remedy after reading the directions thoroughly to safeguard your siding as you remove unwanted mold. 

2. Apply a Fresh Coat of Paint to Your Siding

Different siding materials require repainting at different intervals. Wood siding may need a new paint job in as early as 6-8 years. Fiber cement siding with a factory-applied finish (like Hardie’s ColorPlus Technology) won’t need to be repainted for up to 15 years. Vinyl typically doesn’t need to be repainted, but if you choose to, be sure to use a vinyl safe paint, or you could ruin it. Regardless of your siding’s makeup, a fresh coat of paint will restore your exterior’s beauty, boost curb appeal, and increase your home’s value. 

3. Replace Your Siding

If your home’s protective layer is severely faded and has lived out its lifespan, it may be time to simply replace it. Look for a high-quality siding material that is engineered to withstand the weather, with a fade-resistant finish that will keep your abode looking fabulous for years to come. 

4. Avoid Facing Sprinklers Toward Your Siding

When water from your sprinklers is in consistent and prolonged contact with your siding, it can cause fading (and make your siding wear out quicker). So if you water your lawn, be sure your sprinklers aren’t also coming into contact with your siding. 

5. Get ColorPlus Technology Which Resists Fading

The next time your siding needs to be replaced, consider durable Hardie siding with ColorPlus technology, which stands up to UV rays, resists fading and cracking, and ensures your house looks amazing for years to come. (Psst…and the Hardie color combinations you have to choose from are designer picked, so you’re sure to bring out the best in your exterior.) 

6. Choose Lighter Shades for Your Exterior

Since lighter colors are better at concealing color change than darker hues, choose a lighter shade of siding so it will be less likely to fade. 

7. Plant Shade Trees Near Your Home

A little shade goes a long way when it comes to protecting your exterior from the sun and fading that goes along with UV exposure. Plant shade trees close enough to your house to provide adequate shade, but not so close that they overhang on your roof or brush up against your home siding. The extra shade will help lower your home’s utility bills while shielding it from UV rays. Your paint will last longer while fading and discoloration will be kept more at bay. 

Have Your Greater Kansas City or Shawnee Home’s Siding Inspected by a Trusted Siding Contractor  

If your siding is fading, it needs some attention. There may be more going on than meets the eye, so reach out for a complete inspection by our expert team. Once your exterior’s condition is assessed, you’ll have the information you need to make an educated decision when it comes to what to do about it. 

At Safe Harbor, we believe trust is earned. That’s why we have served thousands of homeowners in Kansas City, with many great reviews to prove it. Learn more about how our siding services can benefit your exterior, safeguarding it from damage, fading, and water intrusion.