Drive through almost any established neighborhood in Loves Park, Rockford, or Machesney Park and you'll see it: aluminum siding. It was a popular upgrade on homes in the decades after World War II, sold as a durable, never-paint-again alternative to wood. Much of it has lasted a remarkably long time. But decades of northern Illinois weather eventually catch up with it, and many homeowners are now deciding what to do with siding that's older than they are.
This guide covers the common problems with old aluminum siding, whether painting it is worth it, what may be hiding underneath, and what to consider when you replace it. For an overview of the siding we install, see our siding services page.
Why So Many Homes Have Aluminum Siding
Before vinyl became common, aluminum siding was one of the main ways to cover aging wood siding. It didn't rot, it didn't need scraping and repainting every few years like wood, and it could be installed right over the original exterior. Many homeowners added it to older houses, and many mid-century homes were built with it from the start.
That history matters today, because it means old aluminum siding often has something underneath it — and that shapes how a replacement project should be done.
Common Problems With Old Aluminum Siding
Dents that can't be fixed
Aluminum dents easily — from hail, a ladder, a baseball, or a lawn mower kicking up a rock. Unlike vinyl, which flexes, aluminum holds every impact. Dents can't be popped back out cleanly, so the only true fix is replacing the panel.
Chalky, faded finish
The factory finish on aluminum siding breaks down over time. Rub your hand across a sunny wall; if it comes away covered in a white or colored powder, the finish is oxidizing. Chalking also causes streaks that run down onto brick, foundations, and windows.
Peeling paint
Many aluminum-sided homes have been painted at some point to refresh a faded color. As that paint ages, it can peel and flake, leaving the house looking worse than before.
Loose, rattling, or noisy panels
Aluminum panels can work loose over the years, rattling in the wind or making popping and ticking sounds as they expand and contract in the sun.
Hard-to-find replacement panels
Matching panels for older aluminum siding are often difficult to find in the right profile and color. That makes repairs after storm damage frustrating, and patched sections tend to stand out.
Hidden moisture problems
Aluminum siding doesn't rot, but the wall behind it can. Gaps around windows and trim, missing flashing, and decades without a modern weather barrier can let water reach the original siding and sheathing without any visible sign on the outside.
Can You Just Paint It?
Yes, aluminum siding can be painted, and for some homeowners it's a reasonable short-term option. A proper paint job requires thorough cleaning to remove chalky oxidation, repairing loose panels, and using a paint suited to metal siding.
Painting makes sense if the siding is otherwise in good shape, you're on a tight budget, or you plan to sell soon and just want to improve curb appeal. But painting doesn't fix dents, loose panels, or moisture problems behind the siding, and painted siding will eventually need to be painted again. If your siding has multiple problems, painting often just delays the replacement.
What Might Be Underneath
When aluminum siding comes off, here's what we commonly find on northern Illinois homes:
- Original wood siding, sometimes in good condition, sometimes weathered or rotted in spots
- Old paint layers on that wood siding and trim
- Little or no weather barrier compared to modern standards
- Rot around windows, doors, and the bottom of walls, where water has been getting in for years
- Insect or animal damage in older wood
Homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint on original wood siding and trim underneath aluminum. Federal EPA rules require lead-safe work practices when renovation work disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes. If your home is that age, ask any siding contractor how they handle lead-safe work before the project starts.
Should New Siding Go Over It or Should It Come Off?
It's sometimes possible to install new siding over old aluminum. It can seem appealing because it avoids tear-off. But in most cases, removing the old siding is the better long-term choice.
Removing the aluminum lets you:
- See and repair any rot or damage in the wall before it gets covered for another few decades
- Install a modern weather barrier and proper flashing around windows and doors
- Start with a flat, solid surface so the new siding lies straight
- Avoid building out the wall thickness, which can leave windows and doors looking recessed and complicate trim
Covering over it may be considered when the existing siding is flat, firmly attached, and the wall behind it is dry and sound — but that's difficult to confirm without taking some of it off. We evaluate each home individually and explain our recommendation.
Aluminum is also recyclable, so removed siding doesn't have to end up as waste.
Your Replacement Options
Most homeowners replacing aluminum siding choose one of three options:
- Vinyl siding — the widest range of colors, profiles, and accents, with low maintenance and a long service life.
- Steel siding — strong impact resistance and crisp, straight lines. A good fit if your aluminum siding has taken repeated hail damage.
- Insulated siding — vinyl or steel with a rigid foam backer that makes panels more rigid, helps them lie flat on older, uneven walls, and reduces heat loss through the wall framing.
Our guide to vinyl vs. steel siding compares them in detail.
Don't Forget the Trim, Soffit, and Fascia
Homes with aluminum siding often have matching aluminum trim, soffit, and fascia from the same era. When the siding is replaced, older trim can look out of place next to new siding, and the roofline may have its own issues with dents, rot underneath, or poor attic ventilation. Replacing soffit and fascia at the same time gives the house a consistent, finished look and addresses problems while the crew is already there. Learn more about our soffit and fascia services.
If your project moves forward, our guide to what to expect during a siding replacement walks through the process step by step.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you paint old aluminum siding?
Yes. With thorough cleaning to remove chalky residue and a paint suited to metal siding, aluminum can be painted. It can refresh the look for a while, but it doesn't fix dents, loose panels, or moisture problems behind the siding, and painted siding will need repainting in the future.
Should new siding go over aluminum siding or should the old siding be removed?
Removing the old siding is usually the better choice. Tear-off lets the wall be inspected and repaired, allows a proper weather barrier and flashing to be installed, and gives the new siding a flat surface. Covering over it can hide rot and create trim problems around windows and doors.
Can dents in aluminum siding be repaired?
Aluminum dents can't be popped back out cleanly. Damaged panels have to be replaced, and finding matching panels for older aluminum siding is often difficult. That's one of the main reasons homeowners eventually replace it.
What should replace aluminum siding?
Most northern Illinois homeowners choose vinyl, steel, or insulated siding. Vinyl offers the widest range of colors and styles, steel offers strong impact resistance, and insulated siding in either material helps with uneven walls and heat loss. The right choice depends on your home, budget, and how long you plan to stay.
Is there lead paint under my aluminum siding?
It's possible. Aluminum siding was often installed over original wood siding, and homes built before 1978 may have lead-based paint on that wood. Federal rules require lead-safe work practices when renovation disturbs painted surfaces in pre-1978 homes, so ask any contractor how they handle it.
How We Help
Littlefield Siding has been working on northern Illinois homes since 1986, and we've seen just about every combination of aluminum, wood, and patched-together siding that local homes have. At a free estimate, we'll look at your siding, check for signs of problems behind it, and give you an honest recommendation — including whether painting or a repair makes more sense for your situation.
If you replace it, we'll bring samples to your home, give you a written estimate, pull any required permits, and do the work with our own crew from tear-off to final walkthrough. If we find damage behind the old siding, we'll show you and explain the fix before doing any additional work.
Get a Free Siding Estimate
Ready to talk about replacing your aluminum siding? Request a free estimate or call (815) 636-6446.
We replace siding throughout Loves Park, Rockford, Machesney Park, Belvidere, Freeport, and communities across northern Illinois.
