Be cautious of any loose boards that may cause instability during the installation process. Flashing behind butt joints is an effective, low maintenance way to comply with building code and help protect against water intrusion. James Hardie recommends 6-inch-wide flashing that overlaps the course below by 1-inch.
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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). For those who prefer visual explanations, we have created a tutorial video for installing vinyl exterior siding. This video will provide you with detailed, step-by-step instructions to ensure a successful installation of your vinyl siding. Hardie® Plank lap siding requires a starter strip beneath the first course.
If you’ve handled your starter strip and corner posts well, this should be an easy part of the process. 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. Yes, you can install new siding yourself, but it requires proper tools, knowledge, and patience. Mistakes like improper fastening or poor alignment can lead to water damage and reduced durability.
Cap Off the Corner Posts
For these reasons, we highly suggest choosing professional siding installation. If you’re in Lake in the Hills or the surrounding Chicagoland suburbs, contact Your Window Solutions for more information. Finally, the siding installation is supposed to protect your home and keep energy costs as low as possible. If not completed efficiently, your home may be left with unprotected areas and energy costs may stay high.
Installing Corners and Field Joints
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.
ENTRY DOORS
In colonial North America, Eastern white pine was the most common material. Wood siding can also be made of naturally rot-resistant woods such as redwood or cedar. After the installation is complete, our crew will clean up the installation site and haul away all job-related Roofing installation debris. We will do a walkthrough with you, to assure your complete satisfaction.
The last thing you want to do when cutting vinyl is use a standard fine-toothed saw blade designed for wood. The time it takes to install siding depends on the size of your home, the type of siding being installed, and weather conditions. On average, a typical siding project can take anywhere from a few days to two weeks.
By the end, you’ll have the confidence to tackle your siding project like a pro (or be confident that Regal Home Improvement can successfully complete your vinyl siding project). In this guide, you’ll learn exactly how to install vinyl siding, from prepping your home to the finishing touches. 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.
Vinyl Siding Installation Step #11: Dealing with Obstructions
A product such as OSB is used over the framing; this looks like a big 4×8′ piece of wood. Tyvek, or another type of house wrap is installed over the OSB. Our resources provide everything you need, from product literature to architectural drawings and installation guides.
Siding Installation Process
During the installation process hopefully you’ve been nailing in the center of the holes as you attached siding to your exterior walls. This is necessary because vinyl siding expands and contracts in hot and cold weather. Nails in the center of the holes allow the siding material to shift slightly without buckling.
Step 1: Request a free inspection and consultation with a reputable siding contractor.
- For smooth and secure siding, inspect the surface that it will be attached to.
- You can finally achieve a customized aesthetic you can afford.
- Maybe you don’t have a good extension ladder that is tall enough.
- We hope this guide gave you the confidence and clarity to tackle your vinyl siding project.
- Cut two lengths of channel for the sides, allowing an extra 2 inches on each.
- Insulated siding products are typically Energy Star qualified, engineered in compliance with environmental standards set by the U.S.
- Snap each length of siding in place, so that its bottom lip hooks under the starter strip.
It all seems to install the same and have the same perks over wood siding; you just get to be a bit more creative. I imagine that the more crevices in the design, the harder it is to clean, but that is just a guess. House wrap prevents any water that gets behind the vinyl siding from damaging the wood behind it. Vinyl siding continues to be the most common type of siding in North America, and for a good reason. And vinyl siding can be even more affordable when you do it yourself. First, let’s go over the benefits of installing this homeowner favorite.
- However, projects take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks on average.
- Vinyl strips are the most common, but aluminum and steel options are available for greater durability.
- Our Do It Yourself Customers do a better job than professionals sometimes because they take the time to read the instructions and do the job exactly right.
- The thinner the starter strip, the less protective the siding will be.
- Joints should be staggered and sealed properly to minimize water infiltration.
- Proper installation of these layers helps prevent water infiltration and improves insulation.
- However, when your siding begins to deteriorate, you can find pests inside your home’s walls, rising energy costs and more.
- Note vertical siding panels are often longer than horizontal siding panels, especially for doors.
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This finishing touch not only provides a polished appearance but also safeguards your siding by directing water away. Here comes the satisfying part – attaching those fresh siding panels and watching your house transform right before your eyes. I always tell folks this is the most therapeutic part of any siding job. Take those pre-cut vinyl siding panels, each a piece of the puzzle, and get ready to fit them together. Now for the best part of the installation process — installing your steel log siding!
- Just make sure to use a slow speed setting, and don’t apply too much pressure to the vinyl panel.
- Minor issues such as cracks or loose panels can often be repaired, extending the life of your siding.
- A reliable contractor should provide a detailed estimate and be willing to answer all your questions.
- As a homeowner, it is essential to think about the impact that your home improvement project will have on the environment.
- It’s available in various textures and can be used for the entire house or as an accent on gables and upper stories.
- Watch the video below for full instructions on installing your corner cap.
Transform Your Bathroom into a Sanctuary: Bathroom Remodeling with Banner Construction
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. The toughness of fiber cement siding calls for tougher tools. The cutting of fiber cement boards for corners and proper lengths requires tougher saws and tools than siding made of vinyl or wood. The finishing touches of your vinyl siding installation include window and door trim as well as sealing and caulking.
Begin by nailing the J-channel to the sidewall flush with the gable. You may require more than one length of J-channel, which must be spliced together. Interlock one panel with the siding beneath, holding the other piece against the gable. Mark a line on the bottom piece and cut accordingly so it can slide between them. Install your under-sill trim along the window’s width, flush with the casing. Use a snap-lock punch to punch the panel a quarter of an inch below the cut edge at six-inch intervals.
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.
It’s pretty straightforward, and if you can repair your siding, you can replace it. The siding installation process is not complicated to describe or understand. However, as a homeowner, it is comforting for you to know exactly what will happen to your home when your new siding is installed. It may not be ideal for every home, particularly in historic districts, but vinyl siding can significantly enhance curb appeal and energy efficiency for many properties. As with any major home improvement project, doing thorough research and consulting experienced professionals are key to achieving the best results. A “square” refers to 100 square feet of siding in the siding industry.
- Vinyl is the most popular siding material in Grand Rapids and protects more than 60% of homes in the U.S.
- But just because you’ve finalized your decision doesn’t mean the research and education should stop.
- Perhaps you have reservations about installing vinyl siding on a two-story house.
- Whatever the reason, the home improvement experts at PJ Fitzpatrick can handle any of your siding problems.
- Install the top of starter strip along the chalk line, fasten tightly to the wall approx.
- Vinyl siding is typically nailed rather than stapled to allow for necessary movement due to temperature changes.
- Strips should be at least 3/8″ thick for the minimum allowable air space. If you are installing over ridged insulation use 3/4″ thick furring strips.
The condition of your existing wall directly affects how your beautiful siding will look. First, they will powerwash all of the walls to make sure they are cleaned off. Then, the caulking will go around all edges of the siding to seal it in. The trim is first placed around all edges of the siding to give it a finished look. While it is also a form of protection around seams and edges, trim gives your home a desired aesthetic. After you have had your pre-construction conference and finalized the details of your project, next comes the actual installation to start.
- For coastal regions, choose siding rated for high wind resistance and salt spray exposure.
- Avoid installing siding during extreme weather conditions, such as heavy rain or strong winds, as this can compromise the quality of the installation.
- Not surprisingly, the durability and environmental impact of composite sidings depends on the specific materials used in the manufacturing process.
- Insulated siding has emerged as a new siding category in recent years.
- Precipitation can threaten the structure of buildings, so it is important that the siding will be able to withstand the weather conditions in the local region.
- This will unhook it from the channel, which you can slide off and expose the nails underneath.
- Undersill trim, which is specifically designed to help guide water away from the house.
Outside of work, Elias enjoys family time, attending his three sons’ sports activities, and engaging in outdoor pursuits like hiking, fishing, gardening, and hunting. We’re ready to help transform your home with durable, energy-efficient products that can help protect your home, improve your comfort and save you money. A simple calculation will help you to order the correct square footage for your materials. Simply multiply each wall’s height and width, then add enough for your gables. Vinyl siding copes well with extreme weather and locks tightly to your home.
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.
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. This wide range accounts for differences in material, home square footage, and the number of stories.