Choosing the Right Siding for Wilmington’s Humidity: Why Your Material Decision Could Make or Break Your Home’s Future
When it comes to protecting your home in Wilmington, Delaware’s humid subtropical climate, your siding choice isn’t just about curb appeal—it’s about long-term performance and protection. In Wilmington, the summers are warm, humid, and wet; the winters are very cold and snowy, creating unique challenges that demand careful material selection. Relative humidity tends to stay quite constant, varying slightly from 72% in April to 78% in October. Generally, the relative humidity ranges within the 70s band, depicting a moisture-rich atmosphere.
Understanding Wilmington’s Climate Challenges
Wilmington’s location creates a perfect storm of siding stressors. The State is situated in a transition zone between humid subtropical climate conditions to the south and humid continental conditions to the north. Even so, the State has a continental climate, with cold winter temperatures, hot summers and ample precipitation throughout the year. With average precipitation totals each year for Delaware falls between 40 and 50 inches, your siding faces constant moisture exposure that can lead to serious problems if you choose the wrong material.
The single most destructive element that causes siding to fail is moisture. Excessive dampness and trapped moisture can quickly infiltrate exterior walls, ruining insulation, weakening wood, and eventually causing dangerous mold in the interior of your home.
Fiber Cement: The Moisture-Resistant Champion
For Wilmington’s challenging climate, fiber cement siding emerges as the clear performance leader. A precise mix of Portland cement, sand, water and cellulose fibers creates the enhanced durability for which fiber cement siding is known. Fiber cement siding is the stronger, longer-lasting choice for exterior siding.
The moisture resistance advantage is significant in humid climates. Unlike wood-based materials, like engineered wood siding, fiber cement siding is moisture-resistant. Because of this quality, it can be used in wet, coastal environments and not be susceptible to moisture build-up. This makes it particularly well-suited for Wilmington’s humid conditions.
Fiber cement siding performs well in almost any climate. It won’t warp in humidity, crack in freezing temperatures, or fade under intense sunlight. Whether you live in a region with harsh winters, hot summers, or frequent rain, fiber cement siding is designed to hold up beautifully over time.
Engineered Wood: Performance Concerns in Humid Environments
While engineered wood siding offers some improvements over natural wood, it faces significant challenges in Wilmington’s humid environment. Engineered wood siding is designed to resist moisture, but it can still swell and expand when exposed to excessive water and humidity. Proper installation and maintenance are crucial to ensure its longevity in wet climates.
The vulnerability becomes more pronounced over time. Engineered wood is just as susceptible to moisture damage as real wood, which means that in climates that see a lot of heavy rainfall and in homes that don’t have a rainscreen installed, the material can begin to delaminate and rot over time. It may also have issues with mold and mildew growth.
Engineered wood siding is more susceptible to moisture damage, impact damage, and general wear and tear over time, potentially requiring replacement or repair sooner than fiber cement siding.
Long-Term Performance and Maintenance
The maintenance requirements differ significantly between these materials in humid climates. When comparing engineered wood and fiber cement, there’s no question that fiber cement siding is the more durable, longer-lasting product. It’s also a superior material in terms of maintenance. However, fiber cement siding is built to maintain its aesthetic quality and structural integrity with very little maintenance, freeing up both time and money for homeowners.
Cost considerations extend beyond initial installation. Engineered wood siding costs about $6 to $10 per sq. ft. Fiber cement siding costs roughly $10 to $12 per sq. ft. However, the higher upfront cost often pays dividends in reduced maintenance and longer lifespan.
Why Professional Installation Matters in Humid Climates
In Wilmington’s moisture-rich environment, proper installation becomes critical. Engineered wood can have some moisture issues if they siding is defective or installed poorly. Fiber cement can also have moisture issues if the product is not installed properly. If you do your homework and choose a certified installer for these products (like Exteriors by Highmark) you won’t have to worry about this.
When searching for siding installation near me, choosing an experienced local contractor makes all the difference. Ceccola Exteriors brings over 27 years of experience to New Castle County, understanding exactly how Delaware’s climate affects your home’s exterior.
Local Expertise You Can Trust
Our mission is simple: to provide exceptional craftsmanship and outstanding customer service with every project we undertake. We understand that your home is one of your biggest investments, and we are dedicated to making sure it’s protected and beautiful for years to come. With over 27 years of experience in roofing, siding, window, and door replacement, our team of skilled carpenters is equipped with the knowledge and tools to handle any project with precision.
Ceccola Exteriors serves New Castle County with a commitment to quality that goes beyond just installation. We believe in using only the best materials for every project. Whether it’s premium roofing shingles, durable siding, energy-efficient windows, or stylish doors, we ensure that your home gets the quality it deserves.
Making the Right Choice for Your Wilmington Home
For homeowners in Wilmington’s humid climate, the evidence strongly favors fiber cement siding over engineered wood. The superior moisture resistance, dimensional stability, and long-term durability make it the smarter investment for protecting your home against Delaware’s challenging weather conditions.
While engineered wood may offer initial cost savings, the potential for moisture-related problems, increased maintenance requirements, and shorter lifespan make fiber cement the more economical choice over time. In a climate where humidity is considered the single most important weather element to threaten a home’s siding. Over time, humidity compromises the siding’s paint which leads to substrate problems and internal moisture which damages the siding integrity, choosing the right material isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s about protecting your investment.
When you’re ready to upgrade your home’s siding, partner with professionals who understand both the materials and the local climate challenges. Your home deserves protection that can stand up to everything Wilmington’s weather can deliver, year after year.