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How to Install Vinyl Siding

Published on: March 26, 2024

Ready to learn how to install vinyl siding? You’ve come to the right place. While this certainly doesn’t rank as an easy do-it-yourself project, it is possible. You’ll need some handyman skills and many tools to take on this project. But once you have the necessary know-how and equipment, you can take on this task with moderate confidence.

7 Steps to Learn How to Install Vinyl Siding

Follow these steps to update your home’s exterior and protect it long-term.

1. Acquire the Necessary Tools and Materials

You’ll need the following tools to complete this project.

  • Folding ruler
  • Metal square
  • Claw hammer
  • Tin snips
  • Power saw
  • Chalk line
  • Measuring tape
  • Level
  • Utility knife
  • Pliers
  • Nail slot punch
  • Saw
  • Hacksaw
  • Stepladder
  • Sawhorses
  • Pry bar

Spend some time estimating how much you’ll need for materials. This can be hard to estimate if you aren’t used to doing this type of project and don’t know how much wastage to include in your estimates. Over-estimating is better to ensure you don’t run out mid-project and have to leave part of your home exposed while you order more. Here’s what you’ll need.

  • Flashing
  • Building paper
  • Corrosion-resistant nails
  • Vinyl siding
  • Vinyl corners and trim for windows and doors
  • Termination trim 
Install Vinyl Siding

2. Prepare the Home for Installation

  • Remove old caulk from around doors and windows.
  • Tighten loose boards and replace rotting ones. 
  • Remove fixtures like exterior lights, molds, mailbox, house number, and downspouts.
  • Make sure the wall has a compatible finish for vinyl siding.

3. Review These Important Considerations Before Getting Started

  • Leave an extra 0.06 cm gap between siding panels and accessories as vinyl siding expands and contracts with temperature changes.
  • Don’t drive the nails too tightly. There should be a gap of 0.2 cm between the nail head and the siding to avoid waves in the panels.
  • Drive the nail in the appropriate slot keeping them straight.

4. Install J Channel Pieces Under the Fascia

  • Keep the nails centered in the channel slot. The nail heads should be 1.6 mm out.
  • Box-type soffits will require a second J channel strip to be installed from the fascia to the edge of the home.
  • Install two J channels diagonally where the corners of the roof and house meet.

5. Measure, Cut and Install the Soffit Pieces

  • From vinyl siding, measure and cut the pieces for the soffit. Cut them a quarter of an inch shorter than the actual length of the soffit because they will expand in warm weather.
  • Fit each panel into the J-channel pressing them inside. You can also bend them if necessary or use a pry bar if you’re struggling to press them in.
  • Use galvanized or painted nails to secure the top edge of the fascia pieces.

Allow the Professionals to Do It

6. Add Siding to the Wall

  • Use a measuring tape to find the length of the walls from the eaves to the bottom. This will tell you how many panels you’ll need.
  • Decide on the starting point for the siding and drive a nail through a point for starting height. Draw a chalk line around the perimeter of the house.
  • Attach a piece of plywood nearly 89 mm thick along the top of the chalk line to hold up the bottom of the first row of siding.
  • Nail the starter strip to the plywood leaving a 0.6 cm gap between each starter strip.

7. Install the Corner Posts

  • Place 12.7 mm foam sheathing strips on both sides of each corner. Then, install your corner siding pieces to these strips.
  • The corner posts will go 1.9 cm below the bottom of the starter strip to just beneath the eaves once you’ve installed the soffit pieces.
  • Corner siding pieces should be completely straight before you secure them to the adjoining walls, going from top to bottom.
  • Install J-channel around doors and windows by placing them snugly against the casing before nailing them to the wall.

8. Start Installing the Wall Siding

  • Make sure to apply insulation materials to the walls before you install the siding.
  • Measure and cut the siding pieces to keep them 12.7 mm away from the vertical trim pieces. Leave a 1.0 cm gap to allow for freezing conditions.
  • Get the bottom row of panels into place, hooking the bottom lip of each panel under the starting strip. Use nails every 40.6 cm across the siding to secure the panels.
  • Overlap to adjoining panels by about 25.40 mm.

9. Install Siding Around Windows

  • Cut sections of siding to fit directly above and below windows.
  • Hold the siding against the window to get accurate measurements. You should ensure you leave 0.6 cm of clearance on either side of the siding for expansion.
  • Use a saw to make the vertical cuts on the siding panel and a utility knife for the horizontal cuts. Place those pieces of siding above and below the windows.

10. Install the Top Siding Row

Measure and cut the piece of siding to fit the top row. All you need to measure is the distance between the top of the under-sill trim and the lock on the next panel down. Make sure to leave an additional 0.6 cm for expansion. Slide the bottom edge of the panel into the panel below with the top edge under the under-sill trim.

DIY vs. Professional Siding Installation

If you’re debating whether to hire out vinyl siding installation or do it yourself, consider these factors.

  1. Experience: siding is not simple. If you’ve never done it before and don’t know anyone skilled in siding to help you get started, you likely should hire an expert.
  2. Support: installing siding alone will be challenging. You’ll need to be up on a ladder and maneuvering materials, which is hard to do without someone to support you.
  3. Time: depending on the size of your home, you might need to invest several weekends in updating your siding. Larger homes will take longer. And while you’re doing the project, your home can be exposed to the elements.
  4. Acquiring tools: by time you pay for the tools required for the job, you might be better off just paying for a contractor. The tools are not inexpensive and have few uses outside of siding, meaning you’ll then just be storing them until you need to replace your siding again.

Pros and Cons of Installing Vinyl Siding Yourself

One final step in weighing whether to install vinyl siding yourself is to evaluate the pros and cons.

Pros

  • Cost savings
  • Schedule flexibility
  • Enjoyment and pride in having completed the project

Cons

  • If you make mistakes, they’ll be quite costly
  • Tools for the job are expensive
  • You won’t get any discounts on materials
  • You’ll need to clean up the project yourself (which takes longer than you might think) and paying to dispose of old siding can be costly

Professional Siding Installation in Washington

When it’s time for new siding, reach out to the professionals at 2FL Windows, Siding and Roofing. They’ll help you complete the project professionally with quality workmanship, outstanding materials and energy efficiency for years to come. Schedule your free in-home consultation now to get started.

Further Reading:

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