Ask Construction Advice.com No charge construction advice for all remodeling advice ... free remodeling advice on any project you may have. Vinyl Siding Installation Decisions
Vinyl siding is an economical exterior enhancement that can add to the curb appeal of your home. Vinyl siding is essentially derived from Polyvinyl chloride (PVC). It’s cost effective, low maintenance and quickly transforms the appearance of a property. Another unique feature is its availability in a variety of colors with surface-embossed patterns and textures for vertical as well as horizontal application. You’ll even find architectural scallops and masks with elaborate accessories add to the many variations available. When picking siding, keep in mind that darker vinyl siding colors will make the house look small whereas brighter colors will make your house look larger and more welcoming. Vinyl siding is easy to clean and maintain. Just a quick wash and rinse with soap and a hose or a spray down with a pressure washer, or will keep the vinyl siding looking new. The Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) offers lots of how to information or you can pick it up in almost any Home Depot or Loews vinyl installation book guide. They even have videos that you can buy or rent that will save you time on the learning curve and give you professional look results. If you have the time and a basic construction skill-set, the installation is simple. Now is the time to add insulation as an added thermal barrier. It’s simple and the cellulose squares have lines that serve as a useful gauge as you run up the siding. The tools required for the installation is minimal: a water level, a 4-foot level, chalk line, tin snips, hammer and perhaps a screw gun. A utility knife can be used to cut, score, and trim the vinyl siding but a simple jig using a power saw is more effective. The jig is set up using some long dimensional lumber such as 2”x10”x10’ or planks on a sawhorse. Then construct a horizontal structure to guide the saw to cut off the siding ends. With the jig in place the siding will pass under the saw making for fast and accurate end cuts. The basic procedure is to level around the house and find to lowest spot. That’s the side you want to start. Install the corner posts and then the starter strip and you’re ready to go. Leveling around the house will guarantee the siding visually matches. Trim around the windows and openings with j-channel, chimneys, door and window openings as well as the soffit. The j-channel hides the vertical and horizontal seams in the siding. During hot warm weather a 12-foot panel can expand up to 1/2 inch. Because of this, the siding is installed approximately 1/4 to 3/8 of an inch short of J-channels and corners depending on the temperature it’s installed in. If you are going to install a new soffit and fascia, it’s looks better and it is easier to put up and finish before you run your siding up all the way. Soffits and ventilation pieces make for a trouble free exterior. Be sure to allow for expansion and contraction while installing. Ensured that the panels move freely from side to side. While fixing one piece to one another, the lock is placed in proper contact with the piece below. The panel is nailed in place without hammering the nail all the way home. Nail loosely without stretching. The nails and fasteners are placed in the center of the slot, and again be sure the head of the nail is not driven too tightly against the siding nail hem. It is advisable to leave a minimum clearance space of quarter of an inch. Be sure to buy a few more pieces of siding that you’ll keep in storage in case of damage. As years pass it is sometimes difficult to exactly match your original. The sages say, “prevention better than cure.”
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