How To Get Vinyl Siding On Your Home

Out of all of the exterior materials to use on your home, vinyl siding is one of the more inexpensive and low-maintenance options to choose. That being said, installing vinyl siding requires a certain amount of patience and detail. However, when you do a thorough job on each step of the process, you'll be able to enjoy vinyl siding that protects your home perfectly. In order to get started, complete the following steps.

Wall Preparation

Vinyl siding gets adhered to the already existing exterior of the house, which would be a type of drywall or wood exterior. Whether you're using drywall or wooden boards to protect the exterior, look around to make sure all pieces are securely fastened to the framing. Look for wooden planks that are coming apart to secure them. Keep an eye out for water damage as well. If wooden pieces look as though they are rotting, replace them. If you don't, the siding will merely serve as a band-aid to a bullet wound. You'll have to take up the siding to fix a giant issue underneath when it becomes impossible to ignore. In addition to preparing the walls, be sure to remove wall fixtures such as lighting and gutters. This will make it easier to accurately attach the siding. Once the walls are prepared, you can move forward.

Sheathing and Moisture Barrier Installation

This exterior should be fully repaired and ready to go for when you cover it in a sheath, a paper that makes it easier to fasten the vinyl to the wall. Next comes installing a water-resistant material that blocks both sides of the wall. This will block out any air or water leaks that might otherwise seep past the siding.

Line Creation & Fastening Process

Create chalk lines in order to evenly map out where the siding needs to go. You can start with the lowest siding panels in order to make sure they look level with the ground. Then, you'll want to prepare the siding panels that will be considered the corner panels. The corner panels need to be cut in a specific way in order to ensure a perfect fit. 

Be sure to measure both your walls and the vinyl before cutting anything. The measurements can be tricky so don't hesitate to consult a construction company, someone like Kelly's Construction Inc, if you get lost. When you're ready to fasten the siding panels, make sure the nails go securely into the materials on the other side. However, you don't want them to fit tightly. Don't hammer the nails totally into the wall. As the weather changes and impacts the siding, extra room between the nail helps the panels adjust during seasonal changes.

When you're completing the vinyl siding process, it's also essential that you look at the manufacturer's guide for specific instructions. Knowing measurements and collecting the right cutting tools will be essential to getting the process completed correctly. Some manufacturers include corner posts in their packaging. Other manufacturers expect you to cut and create corner posts according to your liking.