Siding is an increasingly popular choice to protect homes from weather elements, pests, and noise pollution. Available in an array of styles to fit into the look and atmosphere of any neighborhood or home, siding offers protection and style at once. Find out the best info about siding installation companies.
As soon as siding installation begins, ensure a power outlet for the crew. Also, remove anything leaning against or hanging against walls, and trim the grass short so workers can easily navigate and collect debris more efficiently.
Material
Your home’s siding plays an essential role, from protecting against weather elements and increasing aesthetic appeal to upholding structural integrity. There are a range of siding materials, from classic wood clapboard to contemporary vinyl; each option offers different advantages. When upgrading an existing exterior or building a brand-new house from scratch, finding suitable materials for siding upgrades and additions is paramount.
Fiber cement siding has long been one of the top choices for residential siding, offering homeowners all of the advantages they need at an economical price point. Not only is it highly weatherproof, but its insulation properties can make it ideal for any architectural style imaginable. Plus, its removal is environmentally friendly, as it decomposes into inert substances after removal.
Aluminum or steel siding offers an economical yet versatile alternative. Commonly found as panels, it comes in various sizes and shapes to meet different tastes and styles – including shingles, clapboards, and shakes – making installation quick and straightforward, requiring few tools from home improvement stores, and providing excellent protection from impact, fire, and moisture while needing minimal upkeep and maintenance costs.
Brick and stucco siding options are popular choices, yet they are more challenging to work with than other materials. Brick is typically seen on foundation walls, while stucco is more frequently found on upper-level walls or other structures such as driveway pillars or fireplace surrounds. Both materials can withstand some water damage but require regular upkeep to remain looking their best.
Natural stone siding can be an aesthetically pleasing addition to your home, yet it is more expensive than other options. Due to its weight and fragility, anchors must be attached securely for it to withstand winds or other extreme weather conditions.
As with any siding material, it’s vitally essential that fasteners are placed correctly when installing them. Nail slots should align with studs and penetrate at least 1″ (32mm) into the wood sheathing beneath. Furring strips may also help provide support where necessary on concrete or masonry sheathing, as these materials compress under the weight of sheathing and siding installation, potentially leading to distortion.
Insulation
Insulation may seem like an unnecessary cost when adding new siding, but it can actually save money in the long term by lowering energy bills. Selecting an insulation type depends on factors like your home size, desired R-value, and local climate conditions—an insulation contractor will help with this decision process.
Before beginning the installation of new siding, it is vital to conduct a comprehensive wall cavity inspection with a contractor. They should check for water rot, sheathing damages, and the presence of asbestos; any detected problems require repairs before proceeding with the installation of new siding panels. It may be beneficial to hire an independent company for these repairs before beginning the new installation project.
Loose-fill and rigid foam insulations can both be utilized in wall cavities for thermal efficiency purposes. Loose-fill insulation typically consists of cellulose, fiberglass, or rock wool and requires experienced contractors to achieve the desired density and R-value values. Rigid foam can also provide optimal solutions in areas like flat roofs or foundation walls.
Insulated siding panels are often constructed with foil faces to reduce air leakage and are treated to protect them against moisture damage caused by moisture, mold growth, or termite attacks. They can also be installed over sheathing or structural framing for easy installation; consult with product manufacturers prior to choosing an insulation option appropriate for any particular application.
Installing insulated siding requires extra precautions to prevent overstretching the vinyl panel and its width; overdoing this may lead to creasing and cracking that won’t provide an airtight seal. Also important is leaving room for expansion and contraction during freezing/thawing temperatures.
If you are considering installing insulated siding, it is wise to discuss the installation process with your contractor well in advance of the project start date. This allows you to prepare your house and plan an appropriate time and date. Seasonality in your region could also impact labor and materials costs.
Preparation
At the core of installing new siding is taking down the old one—and that can create quite a mess! For this step, parking your vehicle somewhere safe may help prevent damage from debris falling on it or from your landscaping getting in the way. Trimming back any nearby plants and cutting the grass short may make installation simpler for crews using magnetic nail finders to search out any stray nails they might find during removal.
Once they’ve removed your existing siding, the crew will begin sheathing the exterior with insulation before starting on one wall by installing starter strips and inside/outside corner pieces, as well as window and door flashing to prevent water from seeping through J channels.
Please help them by clearing away items that could become hazards during this process, including photos and art that may come tumbling down due to vibration from the removal and installation of new siding, which can cause walls to shake. Also, clear an outlet so the crew can plug their tools in whenever needed.
As part of your preparations for a crew’s arrival, it is also wise to move any outdoor furniture, potted plants, or gardening equipment that might obstruct their path of work. Store this stuff away safely in a garage or other non-work-related area. Likewise, cover items in flowerbeds or gardens with drop cloths or tarps to reduce dust tracking into your home while maintaining a visually appealing space throughout the project.
Before your crew arrives each day, be sure to disconnect any electrical fixtures, such as lights, so as not to expose them to being accidentally turned on and risk being shocked. This will prevent anyone from accidentally turning them on and risk getting shocked!
Installation
Before any siding installation begins, the wall must be inspected for water rot, sheathing damage, and asbestos presence. A qualified professional must repair any issues before further work can commence.
Step two involves nailing a metal starter strip to the base of each wall to provide a stable base for installing siding before fastening a 3-1/2-inch strip of plywood to this strip and applying siding over it. Insulation may also be installed beforehand to help reduce air seepage during winter and escape during summer, providing more significant energy savings and comfort overall.
Installing siding around windows requires special felt paper flashing to redirect rainwater away from window frames and avoid damage from rainwater running down the siding and into it. This flashing is placed over the top row so any water running down won’t dribble down and cause drips or pooling at window frames and so any water running down won’t damage them in any way.
The tongue and groove method of siding installation involves inserting one length of siding into its respective groove on another piece, interlocking all pieces seamlessly for an installation without gaps or loose sections – an effective method for fitting around corners and curves.
Caulking all outside corners can create a finished look and prevent moisture from seeping into walls and insects like mice or bees from nesting inside corner posts.
Siding installation can be an extremely messy job, so even if your house is ordinarily immaculate upon your return home from a trip, expect the crew to create some mess. To prepare your home correctly for their visit and their potential messiness, remove items from shelves or walls that might fall, clear a power outlet for their tools, and move vehicles out of areas where debris or dust could harm them. Talk with your contractor beforehand regarding details such as loud music tolerance levels, parking arrangements, and weekend working hours – details that might impact what to expect on-site!
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