One of the most important elements in your home is the siding. In 2022, according to IBISWorld, the roofing contractor industry was worth more than $56 billion. This includes contractors who perform work on siding. Given how important siding is to not only the appearance of your home but also its condition, it's worth it to consider whether it's time for new siding. Many people upgrade their siding once it begins to show wear and tear, but here are three key reasons to upgrade your siding.

1. Gaps and Cracks in the Siding

Siding protects your home from rain, snow, and other elements. Over time, those elements can have an impact on the quality of the siding. If you have wood siding, the wood can eventually begin to rot. Even artificial siding can start to form gaps and cracks. These are areas where water can get inside the siding and affect the structure of the home. If you have gaps and cracks, it may be time to get new siding.

2. Drafts in the Home

Perhaps you don't notice gaps and cracks in the siding, but you can feel air entering the home in areas where there shouldn't be a draft. The most common places for this to happen are around switch plates and outlets. It could also happen around the baseboards at the bottom of walls. These drafts are from air getting through the siding. It also means that air is probably exiting your home, which could increase your energy costs. Drafts are a sign that your siding is starting to fail.

3. A Different Look

Your siding is an important part of your home's curb appeal. If you're getting a new roof or changing the exterior of your home in some other major way, it could make sense to get new siding as well. Changing out your siding is one way to dramatically change your home's exterior aesthetic.

Siding obviously serves an important aesthetic function, but it does more than that as well. In fact, it also serves as an important barrier for your home against the elements. Siding keeps moisture out and helps to insulate your home. Contact R & JL Exteriors today to request an estimate and get the most out of your home's siding.