Everybody likes to save money these days and installing your own vinyl siding is
a great way to give your wallet a break, but make sure your DIY project doesn't end up costing you in the long run. Many siding companies have crews that spend a good portion of their time correcting problems with homeowner installed siding, and a northern Virginia siding company shared the three most common siding mistakes homeowners usually make.
What NOT to Do When Installing Your Own Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is fairly easy to install if you have DIY experience, but being careful in these three areas may save you time and money in the future.
Prep work--Before any siding goes on your home make sure all windows and doors are flashed and water-sealed with rubber membrane or a similar product; water resistant house wrap should also be installed. Taking care of these issues now can prevent having to remove siding to locate leaking points in the future.
Hit the framing--All vinyl siding trim and panels should be nailed into framing members; siding nailed into exterior sheathing may eventually loosen and end up flapping in the breeze with a strong wind. Install blocking if you can't find framing in certain areas.
It's Too Tight--Vinyl siding expands and contracts; your climate and the gauge of the siding determines just how much it's going to move. All vinyl siding and trim should be nailed so that the siding can move under the head of the nail and pieces of siding should be measured and cut so that they have room to expand without buckling.
Avoiding these problem areas is usually just a matter of taking your time and not rushing your DIY siding project, but if you hurry, you may be paying a siding contractor to come fix your vinyl siding.