Siding That Stands Up to Weather Off Anchor Bay
Chesterfield Township sits along Anchor Bay on Lake St. Clair. The township covers about 30.6 square miles, roughly 3 of them water, and had 45,376 residents in the 2020 census. It includes nine unincorporated communities, among them Anchor Bay Gardens, Milton and Lottivue, and borders New Baltimore, Lenox Township, New Haven, Ira Township and Harrison Township.
Being near a large lake means wind that crosses open water and plenty of moisture in the air. Lake St. Clair set record-high levels in 2019, and communities along the shore dealt with waves and flooding. For siding, that means two kinds of calls: homeowners who want to replace tired siding for good, and homeowners who need storm damage repaired quickly. Rock Solid Exteriors handles both from our office in neighboring Clinton Township.
Storm Damage: What to Do First
After a windstorm, walk around the house and look for:
- Panels that have unlocked and are flapping or hanging loose at the bottom edge.
- Missing pieces, often on the side of the house that faces the wind.
- Cracks or holes from flying debris or hail.
- Damaged soffit and fascia, especially at corners and gable ends.
- Exposed house wrap or sheathing, which lets water into the wall.
If sheathing is exposed, call us promptly. A loose panel left flapping can tear off more of the wall in the next gust. Photograph the damage before anything is moved, which helps if you file an insurance claim. One homeowner described a storm repair this way:
We had some siding damage from summer storms and Tim from Rock Solid did an amazing job repairing the storm damage and making sure everything was right and secure again.
Phil K., Google review
The Matching Problem With Siding Repairs
Repairs are straightforward when the original siding is still available. The challenge is that vinyl colors and profiles get discontinued, and even an exact match will look different next to panels that have faded in the sun for years. When we quote a repair, we tell you honestly how close the match will be. Options usually include:
- Using a close match on a less visible wall.
- Moving original panels from a hidden area, such as behind a deck, to the damaged front and putting new panels in the hidden spot.
- Re-siding one full elevation, corner to corner, so the new color stops at a natural break.
- Replacing the whole house when the siding is near the end of its life anyway.
See our siding repair page for more.
Replacing Siding on Newer Homes
If your home was built in the past few decades, its original siding may be reaching the point where fading, brittleness and loose panels show up. If yours is chalky, cracked, or letting go in the wind, replacement often makes more sense than repeated repairs.
Vinyl siding
Vinyl remains the most common choice for its value and low maintenance. We are a Mastic Preferred contractor and also install CertainTeed vinyl. For a lakeside township, a few details matter more than color:
- Panel thickness. Thicker panels resist wind and impact better and stay flatter on the wall.
- Correct nailing. Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature. Nails go in the center of the slots and are not driven tight, so panels can move without buckling, but they must be locked into each course so wind cannot peel them off.
- Insulated vinyl. Panels with a foam backing add rigidity and some insulating value.
Learn more on our vinyl siding page.
James Hardie fiber cement
James Hardie fiber cement is heavier and more rigid than vinyl and will not rattle or unlock in the wind. James Hardie’s HZ5 product line is designed for climates with freezing temperatures, snow and ice. As a James Hardie Preferred Contractor, we install it to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Accents
Shake-look gables, board-and-batten sections and Versetta Stone along the foundation can break up a large wall and add curb appeal without the cost of changing the whole house.
Moisture Management Behind the Siding
Siding is the rain screen, not the waterproof layer. Water that gets past it has to drain out, not soak into the wall. On every replacement, we pay attention to:
- House wrap installed and lapped so water runs down and out.
- Flashing above windows and doors and where walls meet roofs.
- J-channel and trim detailed so water drains instead of collecting.
- Soffit ventilation so the attic can breathe. Soffit and fascia replacement is often done with siding.
If you add seamless gutters at the same time, water from the roof is carried away from the walls and foundation. That matters on lower, flatter lots, where roof water dumped at the base of a wall tends to splash back onto the bottom courses of siding and soak the ground around the foundation.
Older Homes in the Township
Not every Chesterfield home is new. If your house was built before 1978, the EPA requires contractors who disturb painted surfaces to follow lead-safe work practices, and trim, fascia and old wood siding are often painted. We plan older-home projects accordingly and check sheathing for rot once the old siding is off.
What Customers Say
The process was easy and straight forward no pressure sales. The siding team were fast and very professional. They were able to complete the job 1 day early.
Bob S., Google review
About Rock Solid Exteriors
We have been working on southeast Michigan homes since 1997 and are rated 4.4 stars across about 500 Google reviews. Estimates are free, financing is available on approved credit, and veterans receive a 10 percent discount. See our warranties page for coverage and our siding gallery for more homes. In Chesterfield we also offer roofing and concrete. Nearby siding pages: Macomb Township, Clinton Township and Mount Clemens.
Chesterfield Siding Questions
Can you repair storm-damaged siding without replacing the whole house?
Often, yes. It depends on whether a good color and profile match is available. We will tell you honestly how close the match will be and walk through options.
What siding holds up best to wind near the lake?
Properly installed thicker or insulated vinyl performs well, and James Hardie fiber cement is heavier and more rigid. Correct fastening matters as much as the material.
Should I replace soffit and fascia with my siding?
It is usually the best time. The crew is already on site, and old fascia often hides rot that should be fixed before new material goes on.
Will you help with an insurance claim for storm damage?
We provide a detailed written estimate of the damage that you can share with your insurance company. Photograph the damage yourself as soon as it is safe.
Get a Free Siding Estimate in Chesterfield
Call (844) 757-6543 or request your estimate online. If you have storm damage, tell us when you call so we can prioritize protecting the wall. For more on materials, visit our main siding page.
