Fall Decorating Ideas That Won’t Damage Your Siding

As summer comes to an end and the cooler weather rolls in, there’s a lot to look forward to in our part of the country. Pumpkin patches, corn mazes, and apple picking all get us ready for the holidays, and as Halloween and Thanksgiving approach, you might be considering decorating your home to add to the fun.

If so, this article is for you. Because while those decorations are certainly a joyous part of the fall festivities, they can also damage your home’s exterior if not properly installed—especially when it comes to your home’s siding. 

That said, there’s no need to worry. The E&E crew has you covered with the basic tips every homeowner should know—so you can create a home that looks great and doesn’t need costly siding repair services or even a full-blown siding replacement due to poor décor practices—something that’s enough to haunt any homeowner.

Let’s go!

Siding-Safe and Stylish Ways to Decorate for Fall

Here are some decorating best practices—all of which avoid unintentional damage to your home’s siding.

1. Temporary Outdoor Hooks: Skip the nails, tacks, and screws this holiday season. Instead, fasten your decorations with temporary outdoor hooks. These nifty devices stick to your siding with weather-resistant adhesive and peel off without a trace—and are perfect for wreaths, garlands, and lights.
2. Porch Planters: Planters are one of the best ways to add a splash of seasonal charm without touching your siding at all. Fill them with mums, ornamental kale, or even cornstalk bundles. And when Halloween rolls around, swap in the jack-o’-lanterns for a spooky twist.
3. Yard Stakes & Free-Standing Displays: Another great option for staying away from your siding entirely, yard stakes are a fantastic way to secure blow-ups, signs, and free-standing decorations that might otherwise be carried away in a stiff wind.
4. Over-the-Door Hangers: Over-the-door wreath hangers are a simple way to display seasonal wreaths, bows, or other (spookier) decorations like skeletons and scarecrows. The best part? You won’t need a single nail.

The “Do Nots” of Seasonal Decorating 

With so many siding-safe options for homeowners these days, it’s easier than ever to decorate your home without doing unintentional damage to your siding. However, some homeowners still go for the shortcuts—and usually pay for it down the line with (what would have been preventable) vinyl siding repair services.

All we can say to that is… don’t take the shortcuts. 

Here’s what to avoid specifically:

• Nails, Screws, and Tacks: It might be tempting to secure your decorations to the side of your home with a quick nail, but trust us, it’s not worth it. Puncturing siding panels leaves behind holes that let in moisture, bugs, and cold air. Over time, this can lead to mold growth, rot, and even structural damage.
• Taping Decorations to Siding: Tape might seem harmless enough, but adhesives can leave behind sticky residue that collects dirt and stains your siding. Worse—if the tape is too strong—it can pull at the siding finish and leave behind visible marks. 
• Leaning Heavy Decorations on Siding: Large, heavy items against your siding can trap moisture, attract pests, and cause your siding to warp or discolor. Hay bales in particular can invite critters (mice love a cozy straw buffet next to your warm home), and while some of them may be cute, they can cause big problems for your home’s exterior and interior.
• Hanging Items with Wire: Wire may seem a good choice for hanging items close to the home, but be warned that it can leave scratches as decorations swing back and forth. These scuffs often start out small enough, but over time, they’ll take a toll on your siding’s look and protective coating.

And Don’t Forget About the Wind!

When setting up your decorations this fall, keep in mind that windy weather can be brutal—for both the decorations themselves and your home. 

So even if you aren’t hanging items directly to your siding, loosely secured decorations near the home can whip around, cause dents, scratches, and even rip siding panels loose. 

Just something to be mindful of when you’re setting up your front yard headstones.

Why Protecting Your Siding—and Properly Securing Decorations—Matters

When homeowners consider the consequences of hanging decorations on their home, a few scratches here and there may not seem like a big deal. But the bottom line is this.

Siding damage from decorations might not show up immediately, and over the months and years, those tiny blemishes can open the door to costly problems like water infiltration, rot, and mold.

That’s why siding repair services—or in more severe cases, a full siding replacement—can sneak up on homeowners. So, take your decorating seriously this fall. Choose smart, non-invasive decorating methods like hooks, planters, stakes, and hangers, and get the best of both worlds.

A house that looks amazing and siding that lasts for decades.

Enjoy the Holiday Season—From Our Team to You and Your Family!

At E&E, we’re passionate about our customers' happiness and success. So if you find yourself in need of some exterior renovations this fall, reach out for a complimentary estimate ASAP. Here’s why.

Because our crews know that renovating your home is a big deal. It’s something you might only do once in a lifetime. But here’s the deal: we do it every day—and have been putting our clients’ minds at ease for over thirty years with the following services.

• Roofing repairs and replacements
• Siding repairs and replacements
• Energy-efficient windows and doors installation
• Complete exterior remodels
• Custom outdoor living spaces (golf greens included!)
• Home additions (bathrooms, bedrooms, living areas)
• Masonry, stone work
• And more!

All backed by a lifetime workmanship warranty and the assurance that comes from working with highly skilled and specialized crews that care.

So if you’re curious how your home could look with a few choice upgrades, don’t wait. Check out our project gallery and then reach out for your complimentary estimate today. Because you deserve a home to be proud of.

Rather meet some of the crew in person (and check out our favorite products hanging on the wall)? Schedule a time to swing by our showroom at 25 PA-41, Gap, PA 17527. Appointments preferred, but walk-ins are always welcome!

Call us and schedule a time to swing by.

‍