Winter can be, let’s face it, a messy season. With beautiful falling snow comes melting slush, harsh ice or sleet, and freezing rain if not outright blizzards. And while vinyl siding can hold up well to most winter weather, it might need a good cleaning once spring rolls around. Here are practical and easy-to-follow tips for cleaning your home’s exterior after the wear and tear of winter weather.
How Vinyl Siding Performs in Winter: What to Expect
Outside Your Home
Vinyl siding is one of the more forgiving home siding options available. It’s low maintenance, making it easy to keep clean, and strong enough to stand up to whatever weather patterns winter throws your way. The rolled-over nail hem and interlocking system provides plenty of wall attachment so you won’t need to worry about blizzards damaging your home’s exterior.
Essentially, vinyl siding wraps your home in a protective layer of insulation, acting as a barrier against the elements. Our siding comes in three different options, which determines the thickness of the insulation inside.
Inside Your Home
With 1.5”-thick foam insulation, vinyl siding helps your home retain warmth by increasing energy efficiency. How does energy efficiency keep your home warm? The thicker insulation makes it much more difficult for heat produced by your heating system to escape. Combine this with proven energy-efficient windows and doors and your home will be toasty-warm and comfortable all winter long.
How to Clean Vinyl Siding After Winter Storms
Once storms have passed, your home may have some leftover snowy residue that isn’t as easy to clean as some snow. This may involve some elbow grease on your part, but fortunately, vinyl siding is very easy to clean. Start out by giving your siding a good rinse with water (your garden hose will prove useful here) before adding any cleaning solutions. This will rinse off any solid dirt that may have accumulated with snow, leaving just the grime you’ll need to clean off.
While you can go and buy specialized cleaning products for vinyl siding, a DIY option is available. Using a solution of 70% water, 30% white vinegar is great for cleaning your home’s exterior after storms. It should get rid of – and prevent – any lasting stains. If you need something tougher for spot treatment, your regular cleaning solutions you use on surfaces or windows around your home will do the trick!
Braving Winter with Window World
Replacing your home’s siding can significantly impact your comfort during the winter months. Without the right siding, older or inadequate materials may allow warmth to escape, making it harder to keep your home cozy. Vinyl siding offers a strong barrier against the cold, helping to maintain a warm, energy-efficient interior so you can stay protected from the elements.
We offer three different replacement vinyl siding options to choose from depending on how much protection your home needs from the elements. Get in touch with us for a free estimate today to learn more about how vinyl siding can be a great choice for your home!