Aluminum siding was installed on tens of thousands of Chicagoland homes between the 1950s and 1990s, and a significant percentage of it is still in place today. The underlying metal is extremely durable — it doesn't rot, it doesn't support pests, and it's non-combustible — but the finish fades, chalks, and dents over time, and replacement panels in matching profiles are increasingly difficult to source for discontinued lines.
Dynasty Restoration handles aluminum siding three ways: panel-level repair and replacement where the existing siding is largely sound, professional repainting to restore faded finish, and full replacement when the material is past its service life or the homeowner wants to upgrade to a modern system.
Repair, Repaint, or Replace?
- Repair is the right call when damage is isolated (hail dents, impact damage, one or two panels missing). We source matching profiles from salvage stock and color-match to the existing finish.
- Repainting works well on homes with 1970s–90s aluminum siding that has chalked or faded but is dimensionally sound. Proper prep (power wash, de-chalk, prime) is critical — a sloppy paint job fails within 2–3 years.
- Full replacement is usually the best long-term value when damage is widespread, the siding is 40+ years old, matching panels are impossible to source, or the homeowner wants a significantly upgraded appearance. Modern vinyl or fiber cement over new house wrap and flashing dramatically outperforms even well-maintained legacy aluminum.
We'll walk the home and give you an honest recommendation, not just a proposal for whichever option is most profitable.
Upgrading From Aluminum
The most common upgrade path is aluminum siding to premium vinyl — it's affordable, completely maintenance-free, and installs cleanly over the same substrate the aluminum is coming off. Homeowners seeking a more premium look often go to James Hardie fiber cement, which delivers the depth and shadow of painted wood with similar maintenance-free performance.
Either path involves full tear-off of the aluminum, inspection and replacement of any compromised sheathing, new house wrap, and proper flashing at all openings. Fascia and soffit are often replaced at the same time to complete the system.
