Vinyl Siding Installation: The Ultimate DIY Guide For 2024

You can also submit your installation questions by tweeting @James_Hardie or by sending us a Direct Message on Instagram. We’ll occasionally update this article with the most relevant questions and answers. The furring strips will help space the siding away from the moisture barrier so that water can drain, and the siding can dry out. We recommend Cor-a-vent SV-3 or a similar material for this purpose. After the furring strips are installed, fill the top and bottom areas between the strips with the venting material per their manufacturer’s instructions. Vinyl siding is highly popular due to its durability, low maintenance, and cost-effectiveness.

Nailing Methods

It must adjust to the natural conditions where it will reside. Whether you are a DIY homeowner or a contractor looking to boost your skills, we’ll walk you through the basics of vinyl installation to get it done right the first time. You might wonder how studs could possibly allow so much energy loss in a home. One important point that most homeowners don’t know is that wood studs take over about 25% of a wall’s surface.

SUITING UP FOR SUMMER: THE BENEFITS OF HEAT-RESISTANT VINYL SIDING

Composite sidings are available in many styles and can mimic the other siding options. Products provide environmental advantages by reducing energy use by up to 20 percent. On average, insulated siding products have an R-value of 3.96, triple that of other exterior cladding materials.

Step 2: The installation crew will remove the old siding to prepare for new siding installation.

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 Roof replacement 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.

Vinyl Siding Installation Step #17: Window and Door Trim

Smart Exteriors is Kansas City’s top siding company, installing quality siding, windows, roofing, gutters, and more. Once your installation is scheduled, your siding contractor will order materials, as well as a dumpster to cart away debris. These are usually delivered to your property a day or two before the installation. Make sure the siding has the versatility to meet the varied needs of your specific project. Correct Overlapping and Joint Placement – Overlapping sections of siding should follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to ensure proper drainage. Joints should be staggered and sealed properly to minimize water infiltration.

Drop siding

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.

• Not only does ASCEND’s light weight make it easy to handle, its self-aligning stack lock leads to installation efficiencies – even by fewer laborers.
• Your crew will install trim pieces, corner posts, soffits, fascia, and other accessories as per the design plan and manufacturer’s guidelines.
• Southwest Exteriors cannot be responsible for unavoidable landscape damage.
• Installing during extreme heat or cold requires compensating for the weather.
• Overlapping sections of siding by greater amounts than recommended will limit the siding’s movement as it expands, causing a wavy appearance.
• We partner with the top siding brands in the industry to provide you with the best materials for your siding installation and repair project.
• It must adjust to the natural conditions where it will reside.

Disclaimer: Siding Installation Isn’t a Simple DIY Project

When the vinyl siding cannot grow during the summer, it results in buckling—which is bad news. Long Siding is a leader in vinyl siding replacement and installation throughout the East Coast. We offer a number of options for your home siding replacement project, including a wide array of trim and architectural accents. Alright, before you even consider grabbing your hammer and nails, you’ve got to figure out how much siding you actually need. Trust me, this step is crucial for a smooth and, dare I say, enjoyable siding installation process.

Factors Affecting Vinyl Siding Quality

Perhaps you have reservations about installing vinyl siding on a two-story house. Maybe you don’t have a good extension ladder that is tall enough. Whatever the reason, the home improvement experts at PJ Fitzpatrick can handle any of your siding problems. We repair and replace vinyl siding throughout the Mid-Atlantic. We can ensure that all pieces of siding are properly secured to the walls of your home. Contact our team today for professional siding repair or installation services you can count on.

Protect your home with legendary durability

Cutting fiber cement boards can create a lot of dust around your home. Cleanup afterward is important to remove any lingering debris. Washing off the installed boards is also common after installation to remove any dust and grit. During your siding replacement, the interior walls may start to shake. To prevent damage, it’s a good idea to remove shelves (or items on them) and pictures that may fall.

Maintenance and Care for Vinyl Siding

In addition to reducing energy consumption, insulated siding is a durable exterior product, designed to last more than 50 years, according to manufacturers. The foam provides rigidity for a more ding- and wind-resistant siding, maintaining a quality look for the life of the products. The foam backing also creates straighter lines when hung, providing a look more like that of wood siding, while remaining low maintenance. Trespa Pura NFC® is a versatile solution for most siding projects and gives maximum design freedom and a long lasting, beautiful finish. This step-by-step video shows Trespa Pura sidings horizontal installation using wood furring strips.

• Irregularities resulting from framing sheathing can telegraph through the finished application.
• Your contractor might even find out that the sheathing underneath the old siding has deteriorated.
• Compared to other siding materials, wood provides a classic charm, superior insulation, and a unique character that enhances the aesthetic appeal of any home.
• It can be recycled and made into other items made from plastic, keeping the old siding out of the landfills.
• These videos, ranging from detailed presentations to installations, are available for viewing on our specially dedicated page.
• After the installation is complete, our crew will clean up the installation site and haul away all job-related debris.
• Initiating the process with starter strips and flashing is a primary step in vinyl siding installation.

Wood shingles or irregular cedar “shake” siding was used in early New England construction, and was revived in Shingle Style and Queen Anne style architecture in the late 19th century. Wood siding is very versatile in style and can be used on a wide variety of building structures. Yes, we will completely remove and haul away all of your old siding and replace it with durable, energy efficient Champion siding.

Cost Per Square

In this case, the ends of the soffit lengths can be concealed later by the utility trim of the siding. The angle of the soffit makes the difference here, but when in doubt, it’s best to channel both edges. Starting with the soffit, nail lengths of J-channel against the inner edge of the fascia board. This channel conceals the cut edges of the soffit lengths as they meet the fascia. Nail at the slot centers to allow for expansion and hold the heads out 1/32 to 1/16 inch.

Vinyl siding has attracted several common misconceptions, particularly in relation to its durability. If your siding is properly installed, it won’t warp or buckle. After you have found a professional contractor, the installation process begins. If you’re installing Hardie® Shingle siding as an accent on your project, you can view tips on installing that product here.

• By following these steps, you can achieve a clean and polished look for your window and door trim.
• The flashing goes on top of the trim and underneath the siding.
• In this guide, we’ll explore vinyl siding’s benefits, types, installation methods, and long-term value to help you decide if it’s the right choice for your home.
• When moisture becomes trapped behind siding, it can cause rotting and mold issues.
• If environmental impact is important to you, we recommend looking for brands that prioritize sustainability.
• We will remove your old siding completely and replace it with new Champion siding.
• During your siding replacement, the interior walls may start to shake.
• This finishing touch not only provides a polished appearance but also safeguards your siding by directing water away.

Siding the Soffit and Fascia Area

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.

exterior home siding

These should also extend to three-quarters of an inch below the starter strip’s bottom and be nailed in the same manner as the inside corner posts. If you’re replacing the siding on an older home, you may need to use exterior siding furring. These special strips allow you to even out walls when necessary for a smooth, finished project. Before the contractors arrive, make sure to trim shrubbery and trees around your home. Cutting grass will make it easier for contractors to find any staples or nails that go astray during their work.

Essential Tools

Flashing is an important line of defense in controlling moisture in wall assemblies. Flashing intercepts and directs the flow of water away from the building to designed drainage paths. The flashing should tilt downward to allow water to drain away from the wall. Do not caulk where the flashing and trim or other materials meet. J-Channel is the next step in the steel siding installation process and is required around your doors and windows to accept the siding and cover cuts.

Experienced vinyl siding installers know that the nail should never be tight against the nailing fin. This is because the head of the nail needs about 1/16” space between the nailing fin. We have our Winter Worry-Free Installation Program for your peace of mind.