Siding under Sacramento's sun
Sacramento summers bring stretches of nine or more consecutive days at or above 100°F, according to National Weather Service records. South- and west-facing walls take the hardest beating. Paint on wood and engineered siding fades and chalks faster there, caulk dries out and cracks, and vinyl siding can warp if it's dark-colored, installed too tightly, or hit by reflected sunlight from a neighbor's low-emissivity windows. If you're choosing vinyl, consider lighter colors or heat-resistant formulations for sunny walls, and make sure the installer allows for expansion.
Fiber cement and engineered wood hold their shape better in heat. With any material, a quality exterior paint or factory finish and regular caulk maintenance on the sunny sides keep the siding protected.
Winter rain and fog
Most of Sacramento's rain falls in winter, and tule fog can keep walls damp for days. Water that gets behind siding at failed caulk joints, poorly flashed windows or roof-to-wall intersections needs a path out, and walls that stay damp can develop rot in sheathing and framing. When you replace siding, the contractor should inspect the sheathing, replace damaged sections, install a new water-resistive barrier, and flash windows, doors and roof intersections properly.
Shaded north walls and walls behind dense plantings dry slowly. Trim shrubs back so air and sun can reach the siding, and keep sprinklers from spraying walls.
Older homes
Many Sacramento neighborhoods have homes with original wood siding, stucco or earlier generations of composite siding. Older siding may hide rot, insect damage or past water problems. In older homes, painted siding and trim may contain lead-based paint, which requires lead-safe work practices during removal. Ask the contractor how they handle it.
Choosing a material
Fiber cement is a popular choice for its durability and fire resistance. Engineered wood offers a wood look at lower weight. Vinyl is affordable and low maintenance with the heat caveats above. Match the material to the house's style and your maintenance preferences.
Before you hire
Ask Sacramento siding contractors which product they recommend for your sun exposure, whether they'll remove the old siding and inspect the sheathing, how they'll flash windows and doors, whether a permit is needed, and what the product and labor warranties cover. Look up the contractor's California license with the CSLB.
Maintenance
Wash siding with a hose and soft brush rather than a pressure washer, which can drive water behind it. Inspect caulk every spring on sunny walls. Touch up paint on primed siding as soon as it wears. Keep the bottom edge at the manufacturer's clearance above soil and mulch, and aim sprinklers away from walls.
Permits
Re-siding may need a permit from the City of Sacramento or Sacramento County, especially when sheathing is replaced.
Windows and doors
Siding replacement is a good time to replace aging windows and doors, because their flashing is integrated with the new siding. Doing them together avoids disturbing the new work later.
Trim and corners
Corners, window trim and joints between siding and trim are the most common entry points for water. Ask how the contractor will flash and seal them.