subject: Install Vinyl Siding On Your Own [print this page] You have been thinking about some home improvements, especially to the outside of your home. Your neighbor just painted the outside of his residence and it toke him his whole vacation time. The house looks nice, but you decide you want more. You decide to install vinyl siding on the exterior of your home.
Besides, this is the number one exterior cladding for a house in the United States and Canada. If you decide to go with an insulated siding, it could make your house have a better R rating and save you money on your energy bills.
When you start looking for vinyl siding, get samples from several of the manufacturers. Ask for textured, colored, and ask them for a recommendation. While looking at the samples keep in mind the fade rate of the colors and maintenance of the siding.
The fade rate of colors is how the exposure to UV rays can make a color fade over time. A color like barn red is high in color intensity and will fade faster than a neutral color like clay. The fading of these colors happens with paint, vinyl siding or even wood siding. Unlike the other options, you cant simply repaint to brighten things up.
After looking at the samples you may decide you can install it by yourself. Now is the time to start looking for books and information on the internet. There are several internet sites with videos showing how to install the siding step by step. You can even ask the knowledgeable sales associates at a couple of the local hardware or lumber stores for information.
Some of the stores provide literature and CDs about installation with purchase. You may even be able to borrow the CD and literature from the store if offered. While there you should inquire on the cost of the siding per foot.
Now you need to measure the house and figure out how much vinyl siding you need. There are instructions in the literature on how to measure the home and figure out how much you need. Add on a few extra feet to the total just in case you figured wrong or may need to replace a spot of the siding later on. Mistakes do happen.
When you go to the store that you have chosen remember to get any and all items that you may need. You may have to place an order for the siding and wait a few weeks, as many of the stores do not keep large quantities of siding on hand. Have a list on hand to help you remember everything.
Once you get everything loaded that you need to do the install, please make sure to secure you load and have a red flag on the back of it. When you unload the items, store them in a dry and safe area. Now you have all you need to start to install vinyl siding on your home. Get out your literature for reference and remember the house will look great when you are done.
