Rainscreen construction is used to improve siding’s ability to keep walls dry. In this comprehensive guide, we’ve covered the essential steps and techniques for a flawless vinyl siding installation. With proper care and maintenance, your vinyl siding will provide lasting beauty and protection for your home.
Our experienced siding contractors can help further explain the warranty process when you contact us. That enhances the weather resistant barrier system by reducing the amount of water that reaches the underlying weather resistant barrier. When looking at the overlap between pieces, work to stagger those overlaps vertically so that all your seams are not in the same place on the wall to make it more visually attractive. When selecting where to overlap your pieces, try to keep them away from entryways and places of visual interest to keep the home attractive.
Vinyl Siding Installation Step #11: Dealing with Obstructions
- To help you get started, we’d recommend checking out this helpful video, which shows you how to cut and install starter strips and how to stagger lap siding for improved appearance.
- It is important to allow moisture to run down to the bottom and out so furring strips should be arranged such that they do not collect water behind the siding.
- If you’re installing Hardie® Shingle siding as an accent on your project, you can view tips on installing that product here.
- This is vital in preventing water damage and the dreaded mold growth that can follow.
- Read the fine print to understand what’s covered and any limitations or prorating of coverage over time.
- This includes removing old siding (if necessary), repairing any damage to the sheathing, and installing a weather-resistant barrier (such as house wrap) to prevent moisture intrusion.
- In a building material, as the temperature rises, the material will expand in length; conversely, as the temperature drops, the material will contract in length.
Low-quality siding can crack, fade and sag in a much shorter period than a more durable option. To get the beauty and longevity you want out of your siding it’s a good idea to spend a little more upfront and avoid long-term repair costs that will haunt you later. If you are considering replacing your siding, be aware of some common siding installation mistakes that can be detrimental to the results.
The aluminum clips were an older method and are still available, though they are difficult to find. Today, most siding contractors use a siding punch, a tool that looks like a cross between a pair of pliers and a paper punch. They use the tool to form locking tabs on the top piece of siding. Once these tabs are formed into the siding’s top edge, all you have to do is press the siding into place for the tabs to lock in to the utility channel. When the siding is within a foot of completion, nail lengths of utility trim to the wall just below the soffit.
Should I Get Fireproof Siding?
Composite sidings are available in many styles and can mimic the other siding options. Ants and termites are a threat to many types of wood siding, such that extra treatment and maintenance that can significantly increase the cost in some pest-infested areas. Vinyl siding quotes may vary due to the amount of current exterior that needs removed, underlying damage to current exterior, the quality of the siding panels, and more.
T-Moulding Installation Instructions
- Now that your materials are in place, you can install the J-channel around your doors, windows, and soffits.
- The space will allow them to expand and contract without any problems.
- Once your installation is scheduled, your siding contractor will order materials, as well as a dumpster to cart away debris.
- And there’s a powerful cost incentive to handle an installation yourself.
- The last thing you want to do when cutting vinyl is use a standard fine-toothed saw blade designed for wood.
- Ensure joints meet on studs, blocking or furring strips with the nail penetrating solid wood at least 1-1/4 inches.
While random staggering can be the most aesthetically pleasing, a progressive stagger pattern can make the job easier and faster without the pattern becoming too noticeable. With this strategy, the cut off piece for one course becomes the first piece in the course above, making efficient use of materials and ensuring that all butt joints land on studs. Maintaining a clean and organized workspace will help reduce the possibility of damage to your siding.
The Benefits of Vinyl Siding Installation
While there are numerous factors you should consider, there are also certain things you should expect during the process. If you are looking for a great way to enhance the look of your home, new siding is one home improvement project to consider. A simple color change can make your home look different and improve its curb appeal. Owner Elias, the founder of CoMo Premium Exteriors, has steered the company to become a leading exterior renovation firm in Mid-Missouri, emphasizing quality and customer-centric values. A Columbia resident since age 10, he is an ardent Mizzou athletics supporter. Outside of work, Elias enjoys family time, attending his three sons’ sports activities, and engaging in outdoor pursuits like hiking, fishing, gardening, and hunting.
Siding Installation: Mastering the Art of a Worry-Free Exterior
Contact our team today for professional siding repair or installation services you can count on. With the starter strips and flashing properly installed, you’re ready to move on to the main event – installing the siding panels. First, make sure you review the Hardie® Plank lap siding installation instructions, which contain the information you need for proper installation. To help you get started, we’d recommend checking out this helpful video, which shows you how to cut and install starter strips and how to stagger lap siding for improved appearance. Siding boards should be attached to the furring strips with stainless steel, headed, ring-shank siding nails with a diamond tip, hand nailed or fired from a pneumatic nailer. Leave at least 1/2” between the siding and any obstructions/openings like windows and doors.
Installation Videos
If the panels are installed horizontally, then it will require foam closure strips. As long as you’ve done your due diligence with research and preparation, your vinyl siding installation should sail smoothly. You should end up with a flawless finish with the insider tips in this guide. Now, if you think you’re way over your head and are looking for professional help, don’t hesitate to get in touch with Heritage Exteriors today. Our team is ready to answer all your questions and offer you a free estimate for any of our services.
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. Upon completion of the vinyl siding installation, cleaning up debris and appropriately disposing of old siding and materials is important. Utilize a soft cloth or soft-bristled brush and a mixture of soap and water to clean the newly installed siding without causing damage. Addressing expansion and contraction is a crucial aspect of vinyl siding installation. Proper nail placement and utility trim installation will allow for the natural movement of the siding with changes in temperature, reducing the risk of warping or buckling. When attaching siding panels, it’s essential to take into account the potential for expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity.
Quick Guide Installation Videos
Use nails, staples or screws that are corrosion resistant when fastening vinyl siding to a wall. If you’re attaching aluminum trim pieces, be sure to use aluminum or stainless steel fasteners. Begin fastening in the center of the panel and work your way toward the ends, making sure the panels are securely locked along the length of the bottom. When you’ve determined the best height for the metal starter strip, mark this position on the walls and snap a reference chalkline around the entire house. Then, nail a 3 1/2-inch strip of 1/2-inch plywood above this line to hold out the bottom of the first row of siding, and nail the starter strip to this plywood.
Our family-owned business in La Salle, Colorado proudly makes our patented steel boxed siding panels in America and can ship nationwide, directly to your doorstep. Panels are the same as accessories, and most know, but it’s important to always nail loosely and keep about a thickness of a dime between the head of the fastener and the vinyl itself. We sometimes see the installer hangs the panels correctly, but there must be a gap between the end of the panel and the inside of the pocket of the corner or j-channel. Nails should be driven through the center of the nailing slots, leaving about 1/32 of an inch of space between the nail head and the siding. This allows the vinyl to expand and contract with temperature changes. Vinyl siding comes in various styles to suit architectural designs and personal preferences.
Caulking is not a permanent solution and as such requires regular maintenance. If not inspected and maintained, caulking may fail and trap water, creating severe moisture problems. Do not rely on it as the only barrier to moisture penetration. Do not caulk areas that will prevent moisture from escaping the wall cavity (e.g., under windows and around flashing). As siding boards will expand and contract with temperature, it is essential to know how much of a gap to leave between the boards during installation. For example, if an 8-foot board is installed when it’s 14 degrees Fahrenheit outside, you should leave a gap of 4/16 inches between boards.
Working Around Windows and Doors
To install vinyl siding, start by nailing J-channel pieces under the fascia, followed by installing soffit pieces and the starter strip. Then, measure the walls, install corner posts, and finish up by installing J-trim around doors and windows. You’ll also need materials like a starter strip, J-channel, flashing and corner pieces. Depending on your needs you may also decide to use foam board as well as soffit and fascia covers, but these items are not required for proper installation of vinyl siding. One of the last pieces to install is our frieze board or crown piece. 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.
Essential Tools and Materials for Installing Vinyl Siding
Before you get started with the project, spend some time learning more about what you’ll encounter and some good rules to govern how you install your siding. Avoid placing joints at the top or bottom of windows & doors. SIDING ends (butt joints) should be butted tightly with the recommended PVC trim and siding adhesives.
This allows for the siding to shift, assuming you don’t nail the nails in too tightly, when weather causes expansion or contraction. Vinyl siding is often the preferred option for siding because it’s low maintenance. While wood needs to be cared for, vinyl siding can be installed and not touched for years. It’s less prone to damage from insects or wind, the color doesn’t seem to fade, and its longevity makes it an economical option. Urban Exteriors specializes in providing top-notch vinyl siding installation tailored to withstand Wisconsin’s unique climate.
This style can make a house appear taller, and homeowners use it for contemporary or farmhouse-style homes. It’s also popular for accent walls or to create visual interest when combined with horizontal siding. Vertical siding offers a fresh and distinctive look, making it ideal for homeowners seeking something unique. In general, the best time to install siding is during mild weather conditions, such as in the spring or fall. Avoid installing siding during extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or strong winds, as this can compromise the quality of the installation. The average cost of a siding installation on a median-sized home in Michigan is between $8,250 and $41,250.
First, install flashing to the underside of the window, then move on to the sides (making sure to overlap the bottom flashing). Accommodating windows, doors, outlets and other wall openings is a challenge that demands precise execution. To ensure effective water management, these areas need special attention. Flashing and waterproofing around these openings are crucial to prevent water from seeping in and causing damage.
Siding Installation: Guidelines & Best Practices
If you work with a certified installer like Premier, you know your new siding will be built to last. Vinyl and wood siding materials are chosen by homeowners for their durability, low maintenance, and affordability. If you have a specific color or style you’re searching for, we can find it for you.
- In carpentry, they say “measure twice, cut once.” The same idiom applies here.
- If you opt for this method, nail sparingly—about one nail every six to eight feet.
- We also recommend two or more people work on the project together.
- Like most siding, you will install the fiber cement boards from the bottom up when using a traditional, horizontal lap application.
- There is also a product known as reverse board-and-batten RBB that looks similar but has deeper grooves.
- Let those babies breathe a little with a bit of wiggle room because vinyl siding expands and contracts with temperature changes.
- We compare the pros and cons of each to help you decide which siding is right for your home.
Fiber cement boards are made in factories and Roof replacement are typically painted as part of the production process. The paint is applied evenly and is baked into the fibers, making it very durable while saving time painting it. Underlayment or weather-resistive barrier should be installed between the siding and sheathing, such as tar paper, HardieWrap®, or Tyvek HomeWrap®.
Step 1: Remove Old Siding (If Necessary)
Plywood sheet siding is sometimes used on inexpensive buildings, sometimes with grooves to imitate vertical shiplap siding. One example of such grooved plywood siding is the type called Texture 1–11, T1-11, or T111 (“tee-one-eleven”). There is also a product known as reverse board-and-batten RBB that looks similar but has deeper grooves. Some of these products may be thick enough and rated for structural applications if properly fastened to studs. Both T-11 and RBB sheets are quick and easy to install as long as they are installed with compatible flashing at butt joints.
Once the starter strip is installed, the siding panels are then custom cut and installed from the bottom to the top of the home. Mounting blocks for light fixtures and electrical boxes are then installed. In addition, vented and unvented soffits, as well as fascia covers, are available.
- By following these steps, you can achieve a clean and polished look for your window and door trim.
- When attaching siding panels, it’s essential to take into account the potential for expansion and contraction due to changes in temperature and humidity.
- To sum up, siding installation, particularly with vinyl siding, is an effective strategy for keeping pests out of your home.
- Align them tightly along the bottom of your starter strip to make sure your siding is correctly positioned.
- Whether you’re motivated by budget, curiosity, or the satisfaction of a hands-on project, learning how to install siding properly is essential to avoid expensive mistakes.
- For many years, vinyl siding has been a favored option, largely because of its numerous benefits and advantages.
It’s durable, attractive, and designed to withstand harsh climates. And our wide variety of colors and styles allows you to choose a design that complements your home’s design aesthetic and architecture, giving you the best exterior money can buy. Next, multiply the values and divide by 144 to obtain the total square footage of each section.
Tyvek, or another type of house wrap is installed over the OSB. This is going to be a super basic guide to vinyl siding… I’m a DIY’er, not a builder or a siding pro. I want to give you the DIY-friendly version of siding instead of an overwhelming video with intense details. You can find some of those on YouTube, but this may be a good starting place if you’re like us and completely new to this. In the process of updating our shed into an office space, I learned how to install vinyl siding. Our resources provide everything you need, from product literature to architectural drawings and installation guides.
Additionally, ensure they are licensed and insured, offering peace of mind that your investment is protected. This resilience translates to less time and money spent on maintenance. With a range of styles and materials available, you can tailor the look to your personal taste and the architectural style of your home. The key to a successful siding upgrade lies in choosing a material that not only aligns with your aesthetic preferences but also suits the local climate in Ashwaubenon.
This step also helps you avoid damaging the surrounding landscape. We not only offer the best siding installation but other home improvements as well. We are your leading provider of siding installation and window replacement services. Contact us today to give your home a fresh look and increase its value.
Once you feel it is locked into place, you can secure it to the wall on one end and start inserting the foam on the other end by pulling back the panel and dropping it into place. A nice feature here is that you can slide the foam down the line of the panel. After you have all the foam in place, secure the rest of the panel by screwing or nailing it to the studs of the wall and in between. Before you start working with siding panels, you’ll install a variety of accessories, including starter strips, corner pieces, flashing, J-channels, etc. Installing fiber cement siding is similar to other siding projects but may take a bit of extra work on the part of your contractor. Like other types of siding, fiber cement is installed against a protective layer and nailed into the studs.