subject: Should You Remove The Old Siding Or Just Cover It Up? [print this page] Although vinyl siding needs to be installed over a flat, even surface, this doesn't always mean you have to remove the existing siding on your house. For most homes, fan-fold foam insulation can be installed directly over the existing siding to give you the flat, even surface you need for the vinyl siding to look good. The fan-fold foam used to cover existing siding comes in to 3/8-inch thicknesses, and in addition to creating a flat, even surface, it also has a small degree of insulation and air infiltration protection.
Installing Vinyl Siding over Existing Siding: What You Should Know
Here are some important factors to consider before siding over what's already there:
What is the condition of the existing siding? If it's wood, and the boards are popping out in places, you'll have to go around and hammer down any protrusions.
Is the wood rotting? You should never put vinyl siding over rotting wood, so if you have decay in places, you'll have to replace the wood siding there.
How old is the building? If your home is really old, you'll need to examine it for moisture, pests, structural defects and other problems that come with age and outdated building practices. In some cases, it may be wise to strip off the old siding and wrap the house. House wrapping is common in new construction because it seals the home against air infiltration but doesn't trap moisture inside walls.
Is that asbestos? Some older homes are sided with asbestos shingles, a regulated material. If this is the case for your home, you'll have to contact the appropriate environmental agency before residing your home with vinyl siding.
Vinyl siding needs to be nailed into solid wood. The Vinyl Siding Institute recommends that the nail penetrate the wood framing at least of an inch, which might mean you'll have to remove the old aluminum or vinyl siding before installing new.
Although it's possible that you won't have to remove your old siding, you may need to install vertical furring strips over the outside. The strips will give you a flat surface and something to which you can nail the new vinyl siding.
