Vinyl Siding Installation: A Do-It-Yourself Project

The old house just does not look the same. It was gorgeous in its prime. Once upon a time the paint was fresh. The trim was perfectly matched. Everything looked new. Now the paint is chipping. Some of the trim has fallen off. It is time to think about vinyl siding installation.

Easy Job

Vinyl siding installation is actually a very easy project to do. Going over the existing exterior, there are no worries about dumpsters full of old building materials to haul away. Although it is not a weekend project, vinyl siding can be installed in a few days. You just need to to be aware of a few tips to make the job smoother.

Weather Proof

Vinyl siding has been developed to expand and contract with the weather elements. Being made of PVC, it is going to do this more than any other building material you use. The first tip in positioning each piece on your home is where to place the nail. There are slots on the top edges of each 12 foot panel of siding. You will want to position your nail in the middle of the slot to allow the siding to move back and forth. Trying to put the nail in at the end will only cause the siding to crack when it needs to move in either direction.

Take Care with Vinyl Siding Installation

You must also remember during the installation process to never, ever pound the nail in tight. The nail should only be driven in until there is at least a 1/16th inch gap from the head of the nail to the wall. The siding must be able to be move. If there is much more of a gap, your siding might be too loose and could blow off.

Vinyl siding can crack easily. It may not seem like this is the case, but once you begin your project, you will see how flexible the material can be. The problem arises when this material gets cold or brittle after years of service - that's when the vinyl siding is more likely to crack. And once cracked, it can create many additional problems. So you must be careful when placing your nails.

There are times when you will find a piece which needs to be nailed but no nail hole is provided where it needs to be. This is where you will have to create your own nail hole with a nail punch. A smooth, clean-cut hole in the siding will prevent the vinyl siding from becoming damaged. By just pounding in a nail any place randomly can create cracks and stress points you cannot see until winter.

Two other important tips for your vinyl siding installation project include remembering that when the siding has been locked into place, you should not pull it tight when nailing it in. Just let it hang. Also, you must remember to leave some room when positioning the siding panels into the J-channel. This allows the siding to move comfortably when expanding or contracting.

By following these simple tips while doing your vinyl siding installation project, you should experience minimal problems. The siding you install should last for years to come. This is one project which can truly add to the beauty and value of your home.