HOW TO HANG VINYL SIDING

Re-siding your home may seem like a daunting task, but vinyl siding is easy to work with and install. This document covers general instructions for installing vinyl siding.

First, we need to know why we should choose vinyl siding.

Second, we need to understand the rules for installing vinyl, because of the expansion and contraction with varying temperatures.

Third, we'll get started by measuring and prepping the walls for vinyl.

Fourth, we need to apply all the eaves and soffit which are made of metal, but really easy to put on.

Fifth, we'll put on the vinyl corners and the flashing and trim around doors and windows.

Sixth, we'll start nailing the vinyl panels in place.

Choosing Vinyl Siding

Since vinyl siding is intended to imitate wood lap siding, it is available in several profiles. Most common is a piece that imitates two courses of wood siding, with an exposure of four or five inches each. These are called D4 or D5 (the "D" stands for "double"). A variation is a "Dutch Lap" style (D5DL) which has the shape of a traditional dutch lap wood siding. A profile with three courses of 3-inch siding (T3) is also common.

Vinyl generally comes in a range of light to medium colors. Darker colors tend to fade and are generally not available.

Vinyl siding can be cut with a sharp utility knife, but there are easier ways. Install a circular saw blade backwards so the teeth are reversed, and cut using a large layout square as a guide. Or cut with a miter saw or radial-arm saw with a reversed blade. To cut flanges and make small notches, simply use tin snips. If you need to add a nailing slot to a siding piece that has had the nailing flange removed, drill two 3/16-inch holes about an inch apart and cut out the material between them.

First you need to prepare the surface of your home. This may require removing old siding and hanging a weather barrier so you are starting with a flat surface.

You may also want to replace your soffits, fascia and gutters so they will match the new look of your home.

Corner molding and starter trim will need to be hung before you start with the siding. Leave a couple of inches between the starter trim and the corner molding.

You will also need to hang undersill trim around any windows and the overhang at the top of the house.

Now you are ready to hang vinyl siding. Start at the bottom of your house. Pop the siding into the starter trim and make certain it will slide back and forth easily. Leave an inch on each side going into your corner molding. This will allow for the siding to swell and contract with the weather.

Use 1-1/2 inch aluminum nails, so that they will not rust. Place a nail in the slots of the siding about every 18 inches. Leave the nails out, about a quarter of an inch. Overlap each piece of siding about an inch and a half.

When you get to the next row, make sure your seams in between the pieces of siding are not in the same spot as the previous 3 rows.

Finally, once you get to the bottom of any windows or top of the house, you may need to trim the top off of the siding. Use a slot punch which will allow the siding to pop into the undersill trim.

Vinyl Siding Pricing

The best way to get accurate estimates on vinyl siding prices is to talk to a dealer. They can answer your questions about cost and tell you about quality and potential discounts. Generally, mid-grade materials will cost approximately $1.60 a square foot for installation. This does not include trim pieces. The same mid-grade of cedar clapboard, exclusive of trim and paint, will cost around 2.5 times higher than the vinyl siding prices. Some premium options will have prices that match the best grade of cedar, but the installation cost and maintenance cost will still be cheaper because installation process is quicker and it does not need paint.

When it comes to price and quality, whether vinyl siding is good or not, much like wood, this depends on the quality of the product and the installation job. Every good vinyl siding job starts with the contractor. When getting estimates and prices, be sure to ask the potential installer for their certifications and for references of satisfied customers. Also check their state contractor licensing boards, the BBB or a complaint list with local and state business associations.

The best way to get cheap and quality estimates is to fill in your basic information to get free quotes on vinyl siding prices. Take the first step toward beautifying your home with durable, maintenance free vinyl siding by getting your free estimates today!