You will first tackle the soffit and fascia, where you will install your channels to connect the siding to. Then you’ll install the channels on the walls, cut around obstructions, frame the windows and doors, and finally install all of the siding from the bottom up. Take your first piece of TruLog™ siding out of the box and remove the foam pieces from the back of the siding to more easily lock the panel into place. The foam can be installed later after the panel is locked into place. As you can see on the panel, there is a bottom lock that will fit into the starter.
Cleanup and Maintenance Tips
Siding installations are undoubtedly challenging, but that doesn’t mean they can’t be DIYed successfully. You can totally pull off a one-man vinyl siding project with enough preparation and know-how. Sometimes Furring strips are not realistic due to several reasons. These products are much thinner than furring strips but still allow James Hardie siding air and water to flow behind the wood. Ideally you would un-band the wood and sticker it for proper air flow. The best method is to lay 2x4s in periodic spacing about every 3 feet.
Vinyl Siding Installation Step #3: Soffit and Fascia
Ensure you slide the panel into the j-channel if you have a door, window, or a corner you are siding into. Fit the bottom lock of the panel into the starter strip and push up on the panel, locking it into place. You can feel on the starter strip if the panel is locked into place or not. 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.
Securing Fascia Installation
You’ll want a pair of tin snips or something to hand cut the vinyl siding with. While vinyl siding used to come in only a couple different “looks,” they have started to manufacture a lot of different appearances for it. 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.
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- The most common mistake is nailing the siding too tightly, which prevents it from expanding and contracting with temperature changes.
- Of course you’re going research what siding material you should choose for your house, but consider what’s important for you over time.
- Learn more about Board and Batten siding with our blog “What is Board and Batten Siding”.
- Most wood expansion and contraction is across the width of the board.
- During the installation process hopefully you’ve been nailing in the center of the holes as you attached siding to your exterior walls.
- Vinyl siding can be washed or power washed as needed if it starts to look a bit green.
It’s lower than all other materials because vinyl siding is installed faster and doesn’t require painting, sanding, or staining. Also, on average, homeowners who remodel with vinyl will recoup nearly 80% on the cost of the installation—thus increasing the value of the home. Always apply SIDING over a properly installed weather resistant barrier system incorporating house wrap, comply with national and local Building Codes. By following these tips, you can achieve a professional-looking vinyl siding installation that will enhance the beauty and value of your home. Another common mistake is not leaving enough room for expansion and contraction. Vinyl siding expands and contracts with temperature changes, so it is essential to leave a small gap between the siding and any immovable objects, such as windows and doors.
Tools and Materials Needed
From precise measurements to expert craftsmanship, we ensure that your house siding is installed to the highest standards, providing a beautiful and durable exterior for your home. And thanks to our True Lifetime Warranty, you can rest easy knowing you’ve made a sound, long-lasting investment in your home. If you’re looking for the best siding contractor in Lansing, MI, contact us today. Our experienced team will ensure a professional vinyl siding installation that will exceed your expectations.
- Starting off on the right foot with your siding installation project requires thorough research and preparation.
- Finally, when you meet the soffit at the top, you need to do a few things to ensure a flush fit.
- Install rigid head flashing, also known as a drip cap, at the top of the window ensuring to cover the tops of the side flashing pieces.
- The good news is that you don’t have to settle with a poor-performing home.
- If you’re using foam board or insulation wrap, install it panel-by-panel to ensure it’s compressed slightly and doesn’t bulge the siding outward.
- I’ve heard there are even more options available, but those are what I saw available from Home Depot.
- During installation, push the siding panel up from the bottom.
Cutting Siding for Windows and Doors
Fiber cement boards are constructed from a mixture of wood fibers and Portland cement. Although installing vinyl siding by yourself might save you money, it requires time, skill, and knowledge of the process. To succeed, you should have complete installation instructions, as well as a few tools like a zip tool, circular saw, and pry bar. However, if you’ve never installed vinyl siding before, it is probably best to hire a contractor.
What to Expect for Your Siding Installation
You can see how this is accomplished in the installation video below. Vinyl siding installation is an excellent way to transform the exterior of your home. With its durability, low maintenance requirements, and wide range of styles and colors, vinyl siding offers numerous benefits for homeowners. By following the step-by-step guide and tips provided in this ultimate guide, you can successfully install vinyl siding and enhance the beauty and value of your home. A smooth, level wall surface is necessary for the accurate installation of vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is a great modern home-siding option that can be easily installed on most wood sheathings such as plywood, OSB, and more.
With proper care and maintenance, your vinyl siding will continue to look great and protect your home for many years to come. Arrange the siding according to length and width, put on the necessary work clothes, gloves, and masks, and protect the home and workspace during removal. Ensure all tools and materials are within reach and free from clutter or obstructions. Be sure to follow safety precautions and inspect for water damage during this process.
The siding installation process and timeline can vary depending on factors such as the square footage of the project, the type of siding material used, and weather conditions. Ask your siding contractor for a timeline based on your specific job. If raising or lowering the starter edge an inch or two will make the top pieces fall where you want them, by all means, do so. If you have to cut the top row of siding, then use J-channel at the top instead of utility trim. 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.
Estimating the Amount of Vinyl Siding Needed for Your Project
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 attention to detail during the siding installation process ensures that your home is sealed off from the outside world, keeping it pest-free.
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Installing this trim will ensure water runs away from your windows correctly and prevent it from getting under the sill. You’ll use J-channel around windows and doors to help it receive siding. The exact application for your window and door flashing will depend on your home’s format and whether your windows have a nail fin or exterior casing. If one corner post piece is not long enough to cover the necessary area, overlap the upper piece over the lower and cut away an inch of the nailing flange from the top piece. The top piece must overlap the bottom so that water flows down it without getting in the crack. While this certainly doesn’t rank as an easy do-it-yourself project, it is possible.
Applying House Wrap or Insulation
We recommend you use all standard installation practices for all products you are using. Shake and Shingle are trending siding options for gables, and we know it can be tricky to transition to them from horizontal vinyl siding. To begin, you must terminate the vinyl siding and begin again with the shake.
RABBETED NAIL FIN TRIM WINDOW CASING
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. 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. 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.
Installing Mitered Everlast Trim Around Openings
Continue following these steps until you have installed vinyl siding on all the walls of your home. Take your time and pay attention to detail to achieve the best results. To make sure water doesn’t seep in, add flashing around all exterior openings, inside and outside corners and where walls meet roofs.
How To Save Money on Vinyl Siding
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. Mastering advanced techniques for complex angles and corners will elevate your vinyl siding installation.
📐 Best Practices for Accurate Cuts:
This additional layer improves the home’s energy efficiency and increases the siding’s rigidity and impact resistance. Place the corner piece in position with a quarter-inch gap between the top of the post and the soffit or eave. Install a nail at the top slot on both sides of your corner. Don’t forget to avoid driving nails in too firmly, which won’t allow your panels to move freely and allow for contraction and expansion. The first architectural application of aluminum was the mounting of a small grounding cap on the Washington Monument in 1884. Most architectural applications of aluminum in the 1930s were on a monumental scale, and it was another six years before it was put to use on residential construction.
When installing channels around any windows and doors, you will have to use some of your craftsmanship skills to get them to fit nice and snug. You will also need to trim back any existing caulk that will prevent your channels from lying flat against the window trim. Even though the rows of siding are installed from the bottom to the top, we are starting at the top when it comes to installing your j-channel. The j-channel, to reiterate, is what will nail into the house itself and hold your siding pieces in place. It’s true that thermal bridging is responsible for a considerable amount of energy loss in the winter. The good news is that you don’t have to settle with a poor-performing home.
The Ultimate Guide to Installing Vinyl Siding: Transform Your Home with Ease
Urban Exteriors stands at the forefront of delivering these benefits, ensuring your home in Ashwaubenon not only looks stunning but also functions at its best. Additionally, ensure they are licensed and insured, offering peace of mind that your investment is protected. This not only enhances the aesthetic appeal but also ensures that your home remains protected and insulated. 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.