It’s important that when you own your own home that it’s nicely kept up because it helps it to hold its value. It’s also important to the homeowner to find ways to save money as well. For instance, if your home needs new siding, you can go out and buy vinyl siding and with the help of a few friends, the right tools and following the instructions, you should be able to do the install yourself.
Before installing the siding, it’s very important that the walls are prepared prior. You first need to make sure that the surface is smooth. Then replace any old caulking and make any repairs that might be needed. This is also a good opportunity to add a little bit of extra insulation. If you do, consider getting foil backed because it’s a great barrier against moisture. Finally, install furring strips because these will help hold your panels securely in place.
Next thing to do is to put on the trim pieces for your siding. These need to be put wherever there is going to be panel placed that will be in contact with any windows, walls, doors as well as air vents. This starts by installing the starter strip. This particular piece is what will run around your entire home and it will hold the base of the first row.
Now you can measure down from each corners top plate and then make a chalk line between the corner marks. Take the starter strip and install it where you made the chalk line. Nail in your nails in the center of the slots especially made for nails. Make sure each nail is 10 inches apart. You also need to leave a gap that is a quarter inch in size at the section ends of your starter strip.
The J-channel is next and needs to be installed around windows and doors. Take the bottom piece and install this first, then move onto installing the sides and then the top of the channel. You will need to miter the corners and they should be a 45 degree angle because you need top pieces to overlap all the sides. Now, install your corner posts and outside posts.
With your first panel start at the bottom and securely install it to your starter strip. You need to push it up until you feel it interlock and engage with the starter strip and fastens tightly. Take some nails and put them in about every 16 inches. Continue installing your first row of siding as you work up the wall to install and interlock them with the row above.
It’s important that you make sure the horizontal panels overlap an inch and that they are no closer than a quarter of an inch to all the corners and windows of the house. You will need to offset each end of the panels so they don’t have any two rows that are vertically aligned.
After you have fastened your panels make sure to leave a gap that is about the thickness of a dime between the nail head and panel. You need this space to give room for the vinyl to expand or contract during hot and cold weather. Drive all the nails straight in and not at a downward angle, center them in the nail slots beginning at the center of each of your panels working out to the ends.
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