Drive through almost any neighborhood in Warren, Roseville, St. Clair Shores or Sterling Heights and you will see aluminum siding. It went up on a huge share of Metro Detroit homes from the 1950s into the 1970s, and a lot of it is still on the walls. It does not rot and it rarely falls apart, but after decades of Michigan weather it dents, fades, chalks and occasionally blows loose in a storm. Then comes the hard question: can it be fixed so it looks right, or is it time for something new?
Rock Solid Exteriors is a family-owned, locally owned and operated exterior contractor in Clinton Township, in business since 1997. We repair aluminum siding, and we also install vinyl, steel and James Hardie siding when replacement makes more sense. Because we do both, we can give you a straight answer. Call (844) 757-6543 or book a free in-home siding estimate.
Common Aluminum Siding Problems
- Dents from hail, balls, ladders and lawn equipment. Aluminum is soft, and dents do not pop back out.
- Chalking. The factory paint breaks down over time and leaves a white powder on your hand and streaks down the wall.
- Fading. South- and west-facing walls fade faster, so one side of the house often looks different from another.
- Loose or missing panels after high winds, often at corners, gable ends and the top course under the soffit.
- Damaged corners and trim from impacts or failed fasteners.
- Water getting behind the siding where panels, trim or old caulk have failed, which can soften the sheathing underneath.
The Honest Truth About Matching Old Aluminum Siding
This is the part that is easiest to gloss over, so here it is plainly. Very little aluminum siding is still manufactured, and the exact profiles, textures and colors on most homes here were discontinued decades ago. Even when a similar panel can be found, it will not match siding that has weathered for 40 or 50 years. That leaves a few realistic approaches, and we will tell you which one fits your house:
1. Borrow from a hidden wall
Panels can be carefully removed from a spot that is hard to see, such as behind a garage, a fence line or a back corner, and moved to the damaged area on the front of the house. The hidden spot is then filled with the closest available material. The visible repair matches because it is the same siding.
2. Closest match on a low-visibility repair
For small damage on a side or back wall, a close-profile replacement panel may be good enough. It is worth holding the replacement panel up next to your siding before deciding.
3. Repair, then paint
If the profile can be matched but the color cannot, the damaged panels can be replaced and the wall or whole house painted so everything reads as one color. Painting also solves chalking and fading. It needs to be done correctly to last: the chalk has to be washed off completely, a bonding primer applied where needed, and a quality exterior acrylic paint used. Expect to repaint again in the future, because paint on metal is a maintenance item.
4. Replace the siding
When damage is widespread, or you are tired of chasing matches and repainting, new siding solves every problem at once and resets the clock. More on that below.
Repair, Paint or Replace? A Quick Guide
| Situation | Usually makes sense |
|---|---|
| A few dented or loose panels, siding otherwise sound | Repair |
| Storm damage on one wall, color faded everywhere | Repair, then paint |
| Heavy chalking and fading, few dents | Paint, or replace if you do not want to repaint |
| Hail dents across several walls | Replace (and check your insurance) |
| Soft sheathing or water damage behind the siding | Remove, repair the wall, replace |
| Planning to stay 10+ years and want no upkeep | Replace |
Replacing Aluminum Siding: Your Options
Vinyl siding
A common replacement for aluminum and usually the lowest cost. It never needs painting and does not dent the way aluminum does, though it can crack from a hard hit in cold weather. We are a Mastic preferred siding installer and CertainTeed certified. See vinyl siding.
Steel siding
If you like the metal feel of aluminum but want something much tougher, Vesta steel siding is the upgrade. It is stronger, holds a factory finish and comes in woodgrain and solid colors.
James Hardie fiber cement
For a painted-wood look with deep shadow lines and a non-combustible wall, James Hardie siding is a premium option. We are a James Hardie Select Contractor.
Should new siding go over the aluminum?
We usually recommend removing it. Tear-off lets us see and repair the sheathing, and every siding install we do includes house wrap and flashing, which cannot be done properly over old siding.
What Aluminum Siding Repair and Replacement Cost
Typical published 2026 figures: aluminum siding dent repair or panel replacement at about $200 to $800 for a typical repair; painting aluminum siding at about $2.10 to $4.17 per square foot; and a full vinyl re-side in Michigan at about $9,000 to $16,000 for standard vinyl. These are typical published ranges, not a Rock Solid quote. What changes the price:
- How many panels and walls are damaged
- Matching approach: salvage and relocation takes more labor than a straight panel swap
- Height and access for second-story and gable repairs
- Trim, corners and soffit involved in the repair
- Wall damage found behind the siding
- For replacement, the material you choose and the size and shape of the house
0% financing for 60 months is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10% discount. See financing.
Storm and Hail Damage to Aluminum Siding
Hail that damages a roof often dents aluminum siding too, and siding damage can be part of a homeowner’s insurance claim. We document the damage and meet your adjuster. If your roof took a hit as well, see storm damage roof repair.
Aluminum Siding FAQ
Can dents in aluminum siding be popped out?
Small dings can sometimes be filled and painted, but that repair usually shows. For a clean result, the dented panel is replaced.
Can you still buy aluminum siding?
Limited aluminum siding is still made, but matching old profiles and colors is the real challenge, not availability. That is why salvage, painting or replacement are often the better routes.
Why does my aluminum siding leave white powder on my hands?
That is chalking: the original paint breaking down. It is cosmetic, not structural. Painting or replacement fixes it.
Is it worth painting aluminum siding?
It can be, when the siding is straight and securely attached. It costs much less than replacement, but it will need repainting again down the road, where new vinyl or steel will not.
Does aluminum siding rust?
No. Aluminum does not rust, though it can corrode at cut edges and fasteners over time.
Do you repair other kinds of siding?
Yes. See siding repair for vinyl and other siding.
Aluminum Siding Repair Across Macomb and Oakland County
We repair and replace aluminum siding throughout Clinton Township, Sterling Heights, Macomb Township, Shelby Township, Warren, St. Clair Shores, Chesterfield, Roseville, Mount Clemens, Troy, Rochester Hills and Lapeer, and nearby communities, from our office in Clinton Township.
Get a Free Aluminum Siding Estimate
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your free siding estimate online. Office hours: Monday to Friday 9 AM to 8 PM, Saturday 9 AM to 3 PM, closed Sunday. Michigan Residential Builder License 2102205396.
Rock Solid Exteriors, 42452 Hayes Rd #2a, Clinton Township, MI 48038.