Proper preparation ensures a smooth and long-lasting installation. Skipping these steps can lead to costly repairs and an uneven appearance. Taking the time to inspect and prepare the wall before installing vinyl siding prevents structural issues and ensures a professional-looking result.
Siding Services Near Grand Rapids, MI
If you’re unsure, hiring a professional ensures a long-lasting, high-quality installation. When installing corrugated metal siding you will need to install metal head flashing around a window. There are several types of siding materials available, including vinyl, wood, fiber cement, aluminum, and engineered wood. Each material has its own set of benefits and drawbacks, depending on factors like cost, durability, maintenance requirements, and aesthetic appeal. With these products, you can expect low-maintenance beauty combined with unmatched durability against external elements. Vinyl is installed by basically clipping it in place along its trim pieces, or channels, that secure the vinyl siding in place while also concealing the nails.
Prepare for Temperature Fluctuation
Check out what makes us the best siding installation crew in Kansas City—and discover the benefits of new siding for your home. Once your old siding is removed, the crew can check for damage such as wood rot—something that’s common with old stucco. If needed, repairs are made to safeguard your home’s structural integrity. The installation team will pull away old boards, stucco, etc., to make room for your new siding. Debris may be temporarily placed on your lawn during the process, but we’ll clear it all away once the work is completed.
PRODUCTS
- Vinyl siding has attracted several common misconceptions, particularly in relation to its durability.
- There are a couple of housekeeping items that we ask you to prepare before the installation crew arrives on the first day of the project.
- Did you know that your home loses up to 25 percent of its heat through exterior walls?
- Now we will guide you through the process on how to install composite siding using NewTechWood’s Ultrashield siding.
If you suspect it might be time for a siding replacement project, contact a siding contractor in your area. It’s worth noting that if you are interested in a specific product, such as vinyl siding or James Hardie fiber cement siding, narrow your search to find a preferred contractor in your area. When selecting a contractor for your siding installation, ask questions about their experience, previous projects, and their approach to safety and quality. It’s also a good idea to solicit their opinion on what siding material to select for the job as they tend to have a wider set of real-life experiences with siding. Prepping the sheathing for water management is paramount before you embark on a siding installation project.
The Home Exterior Learning Center
Also, it is important to remember not to leave stacks of siding horizontal and exposed. Taking the time to do this part right will make your installation smoother and our natural wood products will preform better long-term. With your wall measurements in hand, it’s time to trim your siding panels to size.
To keep this last cut row from collapsing against the house, nail a 3-inch strip of 1/2-inch plywood against the J-channel to hold it out. Is there a tradeoff in terms of how the siding makes a home look? On the other hand, many homeowners are perfectly at ease with the change in the home’s appearance given the fact that vinyl siding only needs yearly cleaning and never needs to be painted. Begin this process at the back corner of your home, working towards the front as you go. Leaving a quarter inch of space where each panel butts the corner post, snap the panel bottom into a starter strip and nail it into the wall.
Then, lock the bottom of this top panel into place and push the top edge into the under-sill trim. You don’t need to use nails here; the raised slots should catch and firmly hold the panel. Once you reach the top row of siding beneath the eaves, you’ll nail the under-sill trim to the sidewall. If more than one length of trim is required, it will need to be spliced.
With Norandex, you get reliable, high-performance siding designed to make your projects stand out and your job run smoothly. If it’s 30 degrees outside, vinyl siding installers need to consider that the vinyl will expand when it warms up to 80 or 90 degrees. This means they will need to accommodate the siding to expand by up to ½” inch in the heat. We want to let you know that winter is a great time to replace inefficient exterior products that cause energy bills to skyrocket! Winter doesn’t mean you need to put off your home improvement projects until spring.
Replacement Siding FAQs
A strong foundation at this stage prevents common issues like misalignment, gaps, and buckling. To cut vinyl siding, you can use a circular saw, tin snips or a utility knife. When using a power saw, install a fine-toothed blade (plywood) backward and cut slowly. With tin snips, don’t close the blades completely after cutting. To use a utility knife, score the vinyl with medium pressure while it’s face up and then snap it in half.
If environmental impact is important to you, we recommend looking for brands that prioritize sustainability. Maintaining original materials or using period-appropriate alternatives may be more valuable in such areas, so consider your neighborhood before installing vinyl. Keep pets and children safely indoors, or schedule play dates so they won’t be disturbed by the commotion. You might want to work outside the house that day too—as siding replacement can get loud.
How Attic Insulation and Ventilation Can Save You Money During the Summer
In this case, you’ll need to maintain the starter-strip height on both sides of the deck and trim the siding to fit above the deck. Snap each length of siding in place, so that its bottom lip hooks under the starter strip. Be sure to center the nails in their slots to accommodate expansion. With the soffit installed, remove the gutter and slide preformed lengths of fascia cover under the gutter apron. Carefully nail the upper portion of the fascia with 4D galvanized or pre-painted nails.
Before you dive head-first into this awesome home improvement project though, take the time to learn the ropes, gather your materials, and mentally prepare for the work ahead. Once the project has been completed fully, an independent consultant for James Hardie will come out to your house at a later date to inspect all aspects of the installation. This is a type of siding that is made out of wood chips that are compressed under high heat and pressure to create a board. After stripping the existing siding down to the frame, next comes the base layer made out of oriented-strand boarding, or OSB. On the first day of installation, the crew leader will contact you to confirm their arrival at the scheduled start time.
Continue installing your siding one row at a time, always beginning at the back of the home and working your way to the front. Don’t forget to leave a quarter-inch gap between panels and corner posts or window trim. If there’s existing siding in place, you’ll need to remove it before installing the new vinyl. HGTV has an excellent guide on safely removing vinyl siding, which covers the process in more detail than we do here. Once you have gathered your tools and completed the prep work, you can begin the siding installation process. Follow the 15 steps below, taking care not to skip or miss any step.
- Carefully measure, mark your cuts, and trim the siding to fit snugly around these openings.
- They will not fit without cutting the siding edge where they overlap.
- Vinyl siding is considered the easiest to install and comes in various colors.
- The accessories should be spaced out every 8 inches to 12 inches, except when otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
- In general, the best time to install siding is during mild weather conditions, such as in the spring or fall.
- While more expensive than standard vinyl siding, insulated options can lead to long-term energy savings and improved comfort, making it appealing to homeowners looking for energy efficiency.
Corner Trim Installation – Horizontal
When evaluating a home, whether for purchase or renovation, taking the time to inspect the siding’s installation can save you from costly repairs down the road. Stone and masonry veneer is sometimes considered siding, are varied and can accommodate a variety of styles—from formal to rustic. Though masonry can be painted or tinted to match many color palettes, it is most suited to neutral earth tones, and coatings such as roughcast and pebbeldash. Masonry has excellent durability (over 100 years), and minimal maintenance is required.
Sometimes Furring strips are not realistic due to several reasons. These products are much thinner than furring strips but still allow air and water to flow behind the wood. The fact is that all wood no matter how it is dried (seasoned) will expand and contract during the year due to moisture changes in the air. Most wood expansion and contraction is across the width of the board.
Trim All Bushes, Shrubs, and Branches That May Hinder the Construction Area
Cut the bottom J-channel to fit the sides of your window casing and install them flush with the trim you just nailed on every side. Create a tab in the bottom of each J-channel side, folding it under. If the home’s exterior has downspouts, special molding or light fixtures, carefully remove them and store them in a safe place while you work.
Optional: Add Wall Insulation
The crown is a 2-inch face L-angle metal that snaps into the j-channel of your soffit or if you have wood soffit. The frieze board covers the last piece of steel siding and face nails finishing your siding installation. Take a look at the video below for more detailed instructions and tools we used for this step. The first step to installing TruLog™ metal siding under your windows is to measure from the lock of the panel where you overlap the panels by a half inch, to the inside of the j-channel. Then get the measurement from the inside of the left side of the j-channeled window to the inside of the j-channel on the right side of the window. Mark these measurements on your TruLog™ siding and start your cuts from the top of the panel where the nail strip is.
Next, the crews will install flashing, house wrap, and weather-resistant Roof replacement barriers to protect your home against weather and debris. Proper water management involves using housewrap, flashing, and meticulous sealing around wall openings to prevent moisture infiltration. Improper installation shows when cracked caulk is visible at any seams or joints that are crooked.
Either bend the soffit pieces to fit, or carefully pry the channel back to gain the needed access. Once you’ve layered enough siding installation panels to reach a window, you’ll likely need to cut some to fit beneath the openings. Remember to extend the panel on both sides of the window by about a quarter of an inch. For these areas, use J-channel exterior siding trim and cover all four sides of each area. Ensure the J-channel is securely nailed against the window or door casing when installing.
Quick Guide Installation Videos
Not surprisingly, the durability and environmental impact of composite sidings depends on the specific materials used in the manufacturing process. The installation process will continue with new fascia and soffit. The finishing touches include items such as new gutters and downspouts.
- Trust me, this step is crucial for a smooth and, dare I say, enjoyable siding installation process.
- The first architectural application of aluminum was the mounting of a small grounding cap on the Washington Monument in 1884.
- A smooth, level wall surface is necessary for the accurate installation of vinyl siding.
- Find the center of your nailing slot, then hammer your panels in, leaving a small gap to allow your siding to expand and contract with the weather.
- Not only can thermal siding prevent energy loss, but it’s exceptional at withstanding the elements.
- Utilize a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush and a mixture of soap and water to clean the newly installed siding without causing damage.
- Proper nail placement will ensure a secure and long-lasting siding installation.
We have gained a reputation worldwide for making cutting-edge, beautiful and reliable products. Now we will guide you through the process on how to install composite siding using NewTechWood’s Ultrashield siding. You should only proceed to this step once your under construction is finished. It will remove the finish or patina and create a visually uneven and structurally unstable board.
Areas that are shaded seem more prone to this type of growth. The Norendex NailRIGHT Siding Installation System makes proper nailing fast and easy. It’s very similar to having an entire wall of your home uninsulated. Long Siding’s signature Red Carpet service ensures that all of our customers and their homes are treated with the utmost care and respect. Achieve a classic home style with the benefits of modern siding. Long Shakes siding is available in Premium Colors, engineered to hide scratches and nicks.
For smooth and secure siding, inspect the surface that it will be attached to. If you’re replacing old siding, make sure to remove or adjust any uneven portions before installing the new siding. Avoid using freshly cut lumber for the underlayment in new constructions. Estimating the correct amount of siding required for your job is vital. Too much could lead to restocking fees or storage issues while too little could cause delays.
- Learn how to install picture frame a metal wall panel with base trim and C-Metal.
- “If there are 10 restored Victorians on the street and one has vinyl siding, the value of the one-sided vinyl will suffer,” says John Leeke, a home restoration consultant.
- It’s also popular for accent walls or to create visual interest when combined with horizontal siding.
- Kaycan demonstrates leadership and excellence in the construction industry.
- The work site was kept clean and any changes in schedule were shared in a timely manner.
- It’s very similar to having an entire wall of your home uninsulated.
- Mark your measurement on the j-channel, cut it, and install it.
- The Norendex NailRIGHT Siding Installation System makes proper nailing fast and easy.
Siding installation is not just a project; it’s a shield for your home or business. It protects the exterior from damage or excessive wear and tear and provides additional insulation to keep your home comfortable in all seasons. However, when your siding begins to deteriorate, you can find pests inside your home’s walls, rising energy costs and more. This serves as a reminder of the importance of regular maintenance and the potential risks of neglecting your siding. The first steps you need to make is choosing a reputable contractor and deciding on the siding material. There are several materials to choose from such as vinyl, wood, stucco, brick, or aluminum.
Step 12: Cut and Fit Siding Around Windows
Vinyl siding is affordable and low-maintenance, while fiber cement is durable and offers a variety of styles. Wood siding is aesthetically pleasing but requires more upkeep. This is some shingle style vinyl siding that I saw on our recent trip to visit family. I’ve heard there are even more options available, but those are what I saw available from Home Depot. I try to use materials that I can find easily locally because otherwise shipping building supplies can be pricey.
