Top Siding Installation Tips

You love your home everyone does, but it gets embarrassing when your house’s exterior condition is spoiling the interior look. The paint is peeling off from some patches making it look like you don’t really take care of your house. Are you facing the similar experience? It’s time to get rid of your old siding and install a new one. Frequent questions in mind would be how to choose the best vinyl siding? How much will it cost? Briefly explaining, Vinyl siding is durable, strong keeping your house safe from outside. It lasts for several decades and won’t ask for much maintenance. Moreover installing vinyl siding is easy and pocket-friendly you can follow the instruction and can easily do it by yourself.

Here are some few tips you might need at the time of installation.

  • PROPER MEASUREMENT:

There are two types of siding pieces you will work with. One is the regular siding pieces the other one is trim pieces, which you will need for windows and doors. You need to measure the length and width of the doors properly to adjust the trim pieces because areas near windows and doors require different measure than the regular part. Tools you might need will be pencil, paper, calculator and measuring tapes. The first step will be measuring the height and width of your exterior in feet. Second steps will be measuring the triangular parts of the walls. The third step will be calculating the irregular parts. And the fourth one will be calculating the parts where the siding won’t be like windows. In short you need to measure all trim pieces carefully.

  • SPACE FOR CONTRACTION AND EXPANSION:

A nail should be used to install vinyl siding not drilling to allow contraction and expansion in summers and winters. It should be cut into length with ¼ inch gap if installing in summer and 3/8 inch gap in winter.

  • RIGHT NAIL SELECTION:

Nails should be chosen carefully. Prefer using stainless or aluminum with a head diameter of 3/8 inch and nail shank diameter around 1/8 inch.

  • AVOID TIGHT NAILS:

Always keep a gap 1/6 inch head and vinyl siding to allow contraction and expansion as explained in point 2. This will avoid forming waves between vinyl siding.

  • NAILING EXTREME CENTER:

Try to nail in the extreme center of the siding panel and avoid extreme corners left or right.

  • VINYL CUTTING TECHNIQUES:

Always cut from the top interlock and move down to the bottom marking the score panel with a help of a knife to get cleanly scored line. Use a fine blade with slow cutting movements for edgy results.

  • SURFACE PREPARATION:

Nail all loose boards or unnecessary wood pieces or replace it with a new one (if needed). Remove moldings light fixtures to avoid any disturbance while installing the siding in downriver Michigan. You will need a smooth surface for quick installation.

  • FURRING:

Newly built houses or construction doesn’t really need furring but old built houses have uneven walls. These uneven walls need to be furred out to avert the wavy look after the installing job is done. Furring strips are used to fill the gaps which are usually made up of lath.

  • VINYL INSULATION:

Use house wrap insulation board that will help in insulation and will level out the exterior of your house. Mark chalk line from one nail end to another. Then start installing the starter strips avoiding tight nail restricting the movement, keeping a 1/4inch gap between for expansion. Then start installing inside corners beginning with the top to bottom and then install outside corner posts. Cut J channel into square and Install J-channel around the windows and doors. Start with the first-panel installation begins with the bottom to top from the backside of the house moving towards the front. Overlap each panel 1 inch to 11/4.Cutt all unwanted siding of windows and doors, measure the part removed to fit in the siding. Note, install proper gaps of ¼inch for expansion between siding and J channel gable end in summer. And a 3/8 inch gap in freezing temperature.

  • VINYL CLEANING:

With all the positive side of vinyl siding, there is a negative side to and that is, Vinyl siding gets dirty very easily. But just like it’s easy to install it’s easy to wash too. If you can wash your car you can definitely wash the vinyl siding. All you need is soap and water. Water can be regular water you use to water your garden and a regular soap you wash your dishes with. Mix the soap with the water and start applying from the top to bottom (siding is made in a way that it drains water downwards). Use water to wash it but don’t apply pressure it may damage the siding.

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