To improve the durability and look of your home, vinyl siding is a great option for homeowners. It's a low-maintenance material that is easy to install and has a long lifespan. As a result, it's popular among professionals and do-it-yourself enthusiasts. This article will give you step-by-step instructions to easily install vinyl siding on your home and achieve a professional finish.
Selecting the perfect material for your home's cladding entails considering a wide array of alternatives. For many years, vinyl siding has been a favored option, largely because of its numerous benefits and advantages. Among these, its resilience and low upkeep requirements stand out. And because the color permeates each siding piece, scraping or painting is not a necessity.
Composed of sturdy PVC material, it's able to resist rot, deterioration and wear over time. A quick clean using an ordinary garden hose will keep it appearing fresh and new.
While ideal installation conditions would involve moderate temperature, sometimes, the deteriorating condition will force you to install siding when the weather is cooler or less favorable.
Installing during extreme heat or cold requires compensating for the weather. You have to make changes to how it's installed based on the temperature.
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. To determine the amount of siding required, measure the length and width (in inches) of every section where the siding will be installed.
Next, multiply the values and divide by 144 to obtain the total square footage of each section. Finally, deduct the square footage of windows and doors from that number to determine the precise total.
Consider adding an additional 10% to 20% to your final numbers to account for waste, especially if you're new to working with vinyl.
Ensuring that your workspace is ready will help the installation go more smoothly. Keep the area free of obstacles to ensure that you can carry the cut vinyl to the installation area with ease. It's a good idea to recheck the color, style and amount of the vinyl siding before you begin.
In order to ensure the smooth installation of your vinyl siding, you'll need certain tools and materials, including a vinyl saw blade, power saw, measuring tape, level, ladder, pry bar and pliers. 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.
While it's possible to install vinyl siding over existing wood siding, it’s crucial to ensure that the current wood surface is in good condition. Assess the exterior of your house, making necessary repairs before starting with the vinyl installation. Address any soft spots and moisture problems, then remove any old or rotting siding.
It's also a good idea to remove any gutters, downspouts and trim in order to create the ideal conditions for the new siding.
If your existing siding is in good condition, you can install vinyl over it. However, you’ll first need to install rigid foam board insulation to create a flat surface. Not only does this make installation easier, but it also enhances insulation for your home.
1. To prepare for siding installation, it is important to create a flat and even wall surface. When building a new structure, it is recommended to use a water-resistive barrier such as house wrap or felt paper. It is also important to verify with local building codes to determine if any additional requirements are necessary.
2. Before installing the vinyl siding make sure the starter strip is level, otherwise your whole house could be sided improperly. Additionally, you must start installing the siding at the point farthest from the street, and move forward, so you don't see the seams.
2. 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.
To avoid panel distortion and buckling, drive the fasteners in a level and straight manner. For horizontal siding panels, space the fasteners 16 inches apart (at most). The accessories should be spaced out every 8 inches to 12 inches, except when otherwise specified by the manufacturer.
3. 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.
4. To make sure water doesn't seep in, add flashing around all exterior openings, inside and outside corners and where walls meet roofs. The flashing should go beyond the nail flanges of the window or accessory. First, install flashing to the underside of the window, then move on to the sides (making sure to overlap the bottom flashing). Finish by adding it to the top.
5. To ensure proper installation of vinyl siding around windows or fixtures, it's important to consider its expansion and contraction. Hold the panel under the window, mark its width and add ¼ of an inch to both sides. Then, lock a piece of scrap siding into the lower panel next to the window, mark it ¼ of an inch below the sill height, and transfer the measurement to the panel that will go under the window.
6. To accommodate expansion and contraction, use nails or fasteners in the center of the nailing slot and avoid driving them too tightly against the siding nailing hem. Ensure that panels and accessories are able to move freely from side to side and leave at least ¼ of an inch of clearance at all openings and stops.
7. 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.
Take a few moments every few rows to examine the horizontal alignment of the panels and ensure that the siding is hanging properly on the wall.
Rollex is your trusted partner for providing high-grade, durable vinyl siding to help ensure that your home withstands the test of time. Our team of professionals is ready to answer any questions you might have, guide you in making the best decisions for your home and introduce you to a wide range of siding solutions to make your new home or remodel project a success. Contact us today for more information!