How to Install Vinyl Siding
Vinyl expands in heat and contracts in cold temperature levels. Therefore, installation must be handled with care. Installation requires siding panels and several trim pieces especially designed to hold siding in place and mask up cover siding ends. This will allow panels to expand and contract. To start working on this, prepare the following materials and equipments:
hammer
level
tape measure
chalk line
nail slot and snaplock punch
zip unlock tool
circular saw with plywood blade installed backwards
ladders or portable scaffolding
Here are ten great tips!
Since vinyl surfaces should be repairable and smooth, check if the surface you intend to cover with vinyl has new wood and caulking.
Install more insulation under your vinyl siding to provide more moisture and smooth finishing surface. Put furring strips to hold insulation in place as well as to have a solid nailing surface.
Install vinyl siding trim pieces on walls before covering them. Trim pieces should be present in areas of the vinyl siding that can regularly brush up with other portions of your home like doors and windows among others.
Apply starter strip on walls. This piece of vinyl siding must run around the house to hold the siding base.
Measure soffit or top plate each corner and mark a line between the marks using a chalk. Apply starter strip along the chalk line. After this, you should nail with 10-inch intervals the center of the nailing slots. Keep in mind that a fourth-inch space must be left in the middling portions of the starter strip in order to prepare for expansion.
Mount in J-channel around doors and windows in preparation for vinyl siding courses. Fix first the bottom piece before sides then go to the top. At 45 degrees, miter the corners with top piece overlapping the sides. It will redirect moisture from the window. When necessary, install inside and outside corner posts following wall’s layout.
Securely install at the bottom the first panel into the starter strip. Put the panel up until it interlocks with the starter strip. Fasten it. In the center of the nail slot, nail the panels every 16 inches.
Mount the first course panels up to the wall. Afterwards, interlock them to the course below.Overlap the horizontal panels. Before doing so, measure and trim horizontal panels to at least 1/4″ away from corners and windows. Ends should be placed under the trim pieces so gaps will not be seen.
Balance ends of the siding pieces so no two courses will be aligned vertically. Ensure that the factory-finished edge is exposed during overlapping. Mark your five to six courses installation to be sure you match the siding level.
Between the nail head and the siding, put a gap about the thickness of a dime. This will leave room for vinyl expansion and contraction. Nails should be placed in the nailing slots, are straight or not towards a downward angle in order to prevent panel distortion.