Common Siding Mistakes Homeowners Make

The Biggest Mistakes I See

If there’s one thing I’ve learned after decades in the building industry it’s this: most serious home problems start on the outside. I see homeowners make these common exterior mistakes over and over again. How many times on my shows do you see us fixing problems on the OUTSIDE of the house?

The exterior of your home is its first line of defense against rain, snow, wind, heat, and cold. When it’s done wrong, moisture gets in, energy efficiency drops, and structural damage follows. I’ve opened up walls on TV more times than I can count, and what I find behind bad exterior work is almost always the same.

Let’s talk about the most common exterior mistakes homeowners make.

 

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Mistake #1: Choosing Siding Based on Looks or Price Alone

I get it—curb appeal matters. On our jobs we will often surprise the homeowners with some nice landscaping as a bonus. Your siding is part of the curb appeal. But siding isn’t just decoration. It’s a performance system.

On Holmes on Homes, I’ve seen homeowners pick siding because it was cheap or because “it looked good in the showroom.” A few years later, we’re tearing it off because it cracked, warped, faded, or trapped moisture behind it. I just wrapped up a job in Toronto where we had to remove siding that was just installed.

Some common problems I’ve seen:

• Vinyl siding installed without proper expansion gaps, causing buckling
• Wood siding that wasn’t sealed or maintained, leading to rot
• Products not rated for the local climate
• Low-quality siding with no long-term warranty

If your siding can’t handle your climate, it doesn’t belong on your house. Period.

Cheap siding usually ends up being expensive siding

Mike’s recommendation:

One Premium Cellular PVC Siding that impresses me is Elite Cladding. There are a couple of reasons for that. They have two important features that eliminate most of the issues I see in PVC siding installs: the AuraLok™ Connection System and Veyros™ Technology.

The Elite Cladding panels interlock using AuraLok™. You get tight, consistent alignment across the façade. That means fewer gaps, a cleaner look, and a more cohesive exterior surface once the job is done.

Veyros™ Technology is made from a proprietary material formulation that expands and contracts less than other similar materials. It also features an acrylic finished layer that ensures long‑lasting color, reduced surface temperature, and greater durability against impact and UV exposure.

Together, these two features are a game-changer for homeowners who want long-term value.

Mistake #2: Ignoring What’s Behind the Siding

I always open up the walls. It’s not for TV drama. Behind the walls is where things get dangerous.

On Holmes Inspection, I’ve opened walls that looked fine from the outside, only to find:

• No proper house wrap
• Missing or poorly installed flashing
• Mold growing behind the siding
• Rotting sheathing and framing

Siding alone does not keep water out. The entire wall system matters—from flashing and air barriers to drainage planes. You’ve heard me say a million times that WATER IS YOUR HOME’S #1 ENEMY. If you aren’t building with water intrusion in mind, you’re setting yourself up for expensive repairs. That’s when I start to get the calls.

 

RELATED: Exterior Home Maintenance Tasks You Should Do

 

Mistake #3: Poor Installation (Even With “Good” Products)

Here’s the truth: a great product installed badly will fail.

I’ve seen premium siding products fail because:

• Nails were over-driven
• Starter strips weren’t level
• Flashing was skipped around windows and doors
• Installers didn’t follow manufacturer specs

On Holmes Makes It Right, we had to redo entire exterior systems. It’s not that the materials were poor quality. It was because the installation was rushed or careless.

 

Always ask:

• Is the installer certified or trained for this product?
• Will they follow manufacturer guidelines?
• Are they including proper flashing and ventilation?

If they can’t answer clearly, that’s a red flag. That’s why Elite Cladding is a game-changer. With their engineered connection system called AuraLok™, you get a tight connection (fewer gaps).

 

Mistake #4: Skipping Maintenance and Inspections

Some homeowners think siding is “install it and forget it.” That’s not how houses work.

Even durable, low-maintenance siding still needs:

• Regular inspections
• Cleaning
• Checks around penetrations, vents, and joints

On my projects, I’ve seen small exterior issues turn into major structural damage simply because no one caught the problem early.

A quick annual walk-around can save you tens of thousands of dollars.

 

Mistake #5: Not Planning for Longevity

Your exterior should last decades, not a few years. It’s a big cost to do your exterior siding. You don’t want to redo it every few years.

Ask yourself:

• Will this siding still perform in 20–30 years?
• Is it impact-resistant?
• Does it resist moisture, UV damage, and temperature swings?
• Is there a strong warranty—and will the manufacturer still be around?

I’m a big believer in doing it right once. Cutting corners on the exterior almost always means paying twice.

 

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When it comes to the exterior of your home, invest in quality materials with proven performance and prevent these common exterior mistakes. Think long-term, not short-term savings. And think beyond curb appeal!

Your house is a system. When one part fails—especially on the exterior—the damage doesn’t stay small.

 

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