Siding Tips for Hot and Humid Weather

Protecting your siding from damage is crucial no matter the season or time of year. Warm weather presents several unique issues to your home’s exterior that can have a negative impact, especially without proper siding maintenance. LP^® SmartSide^® Trim & Siding provides the protection and peace of mind you need to keep your siding in great shape during warmer seasons with easy maintenance requirements.

How Heat and Humidity Impact Siding

Heat and humidity impact your siding as temperatures rise and water vapor in the air increases, subjecting your siding to prolonged moisture and UV exposure. Moisture can cause mold, mildew and fungal decay, and UV exposure often causes cracking or discoloration. Heat and humidity can also produce weather events that threaten your siding.

These extreme elements can be destructive if your siding is not built to prevent damage at the core. Choosing the right siding for warm climates is key to protecting your home from adverse weather. All-weather siding, like LP SmartSide Trim & Siding, is engineered to withstand the conditions that result from warm and humid climates.

Best Siding for Hot and Humid Climates

LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is an ideal choice of siding for warm climates, largely due to its proprietary LP^® SmartGuard^® process. Isaac Ojeda, Construction Service Associate at LP, says that all four components of the process play a part in the product’s ability to endure warm weather siding problems.

Termites thrive in warm temperatures, and preventing infestation is crucial. "The zinc borate in LP SmartSide products helps to resist damage from fungal decay and termites," says Ojeda. "That's really important to the longevity of the product." Treated to the core, each piece of LP SmartSide siding is engineered to repel termites, which becomes even more important during warmer months.

As siding expands and contracts with extreme weather shifts, it can often lead to cracking if the siding is not engineered to withstand freeze/thaw cycles. LP SmartSide products are treated with binders as part of the SmartGuard process, which helps stabilize the siding and prevent damage during freeze/thaw cycles. Additionally, LP SmartSide products are treated with waxes and a resin-saturated overlay, providing superior moisture resistance to combat humidity and storms.

"What's really important is the overlay. That's the first line of defense against weather like rain, UV exposure and heat," says Ojeda. "The other three components work in the background to protect the substrate."

The durability of LP SmartSide Trim & Siding also contributes to its ability to combat warm weather siding problems. "When you have a storm event, there may be debris flying or tree branches falling that could damage the siding. In that respect, the product's durability is extremely important," says Ojeda.

Siding Maintenance Tips for Hot & Humid Weather

• Practice Preventive Siding Maintenance: Be sure to examine your siding regularly for any scratches, gouges or dents to prevent issues from developing. Investing in a durable siding option like LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is a great way to help your home sustain extreme weather conditions, even heat and humidity, from the start.
• Complete Basic Cleaning: Basic cleaning can help keep your easy maintenance siding looking beautiful. If you see any dirt, grime, mold or mildew, be sure to wash it off with soapy water and a gentle scrub brush.
• Don’t Use a Pressure Washer: “Pressure washing can damage the overlay, causing it to rip, which can then affect the substrate,” says Ojeda. If pressure washing causes damage, it can also void the LP SmartSide warranty.
• Check Sealant: Make sure your sealant is providing an adequate barrier to prevent moisture intrusion on your siding. If necessary, hire a contractor to replace caulking around your siding.
• Check Paint: Inspect the paint on your siding for chips and peeling. While it may seem minor, the paint provides another layer of protection and touching up paint is an easy way to maintain your siding.

“Overall, preventive maintenance is key to your siding’s longevity. While LP SmartSide siding is backed by a 50-year limited warranty, basic maintenance is still important to the product’s ability to physically withstand that length of time and uphold its beauty, appearance wise,” says Ojeda. By implementing these siding maintenance tips, you can increase the lifespan of any siding—even when it’s facing harsh seasonal weather changes, from freezing winters to humid summers.

For all-weather siding that handles heat and humidity with easy maintenance, check out LP SmartSide siding options.