If you have damage to your current siding, or it’s just looking old and weathered, it’s a good idea to replace it. Siding can improve the look of your home, and vinyl siding is an excellent choice to replace old siding as it comes in so many styles and colors. You can pick vinyl siding that looks like wood, brick, or even stone to give your house a revived look that boosts curb appeal.
However, if you’re installing vinyl siding yourself, you’ll need to find the best nails for vinyl siding and vinyl siding screws to hold it properly in place. Pinnacle Home Improvements is an exterior home improvement company that provides siding installation, roof replacement, and window replacement. In this blog post, we detail how you can put up your siding and the materials you need to use to get every siding panel perfectly in place.
Introduction to Vinyl Siding
Vinyl siding is one of the best materials to use on your home. It’s energy efficient and durable, capable of withstanding all kinds of weather, even in coastal areas. Homeowners frequently choose vinyl siding for these reasons, as well as the fact that it has low maintenance requirements. It’s easy to learn how to clean vinyl siding. If you’re wondering, “Is insulated vinyl siding worth it?” it absolutely is! Insulation further enhances its ability to protect your home.
Vinyl siding also comes in a variety of colors and styles that no one will suspect are made from vinyl. It’s cheaper than these materials and lasts a long time. Compare vinyl vs aluminum siding differences & which is best, as well as look at other materials. You’ll find that over and over again, vinyl is the most selected option for budget-savvy owners who want to elevate the look of their home without going broke.
Vinyl Siding Installation: How to Hang It
When you’re installing vinyl siding, it’s important to remember that each of your vinyl siding panels can expand or contract with temperature changes. Bearing this in mind, using the right materials for putting each siding panel in place is crucial. Whether you use screws or nails, you should follow these basic steps to put each siding panel up:
Engage Each Panel at the Bottom
Every panel needs to be engaged along its entire length at the bottom of your first strip yet without needing to pull it up with much force while nailing it.
Don’t Go Deep
No matter which fastener you use, don’t put it in too deeply. There should be a small gap, about 1/32 of an inch—akin to the thickness of a dime. You must take care to do this right, as damage can occur through buckling, especially when the temperature is fluctuating.
Fasten in the Center
You should fasten each panel in the center of its nailing slot in the middle of the panel. Work your way outward to the ends. Additionally, center these fasteners in the nailing slots to let them expand and contract. They should be driven straight and kept level to keep the panel from warping.
Measure and Space Accordingly
You need to measure a maximum distance of 16 inches between each fastener when using horizontal panels. When using vertical panels, that distance should be 12 inches. If you have accessories, plan on 8 inches to 12 inches.
Understand Differences with Screws, Staples, and Nails
When you use screws, they need to be centered in the nailing slot and allow a clearance between the screw head and vinyl of 1/32 inches. Steel studs have different requirements—you’ll need self-tapping screws.
If you plan on using staples, you must look at your local building codes first to ensure you don’t have any issues. To install vinyl siding, it takes extreme care and precise fastening. Many people, even those who enjoy DIY projects, will hire a siding contractor for these projects because they must be fastened properly for long-lasting as well as curb-appealing results.
Can You Screw Into Vinyl Siding?
Screws can be used to attach vinyl siding, though you must take care that you don’t put screws in the seams where the panels will overlap. It helps to pre-drill a hole into the panel first, especially if it’s cold outside. This will prevent the panel from cracking when you screw it in place.
Expansion-type fasteners can be helpful when using screws for vinyl siding, though you’ll want to take care that you follow one of the top tips—don’t over-tighten your screws. Adding caulk around the screw base can additionally help you do a good job, working to seal the hole so that moisture won’t be able to penetrate.
If you’re planning to use screws, always remember that rust is a possibility. This can quickly make the siding on your house look weathered. After taking all this care, choose stainless steel screws to keep rust away, especially if you live near the beach.
What Nails to Use for Vinyl Siding
When it comes to vinyl siding installation, you can also use nails to complete the job. Prior to the installation, make sure you’re choosing the right kind of nails. Galvanized steel or aluminum nails are your best options.
Whichever you have, make sure they’re the right size before nailing them into your siding to avoid a costly mistake. The head diameter should measure a minimum of 5/16 inch, and the shank should have a diameter of at least 1 ¼ inches in order to work with the sheathing.
Corrosion resistance is an important consideration when choosing nails or screws. You want these fasteners to attach the lengths of vinyl siding without experiencing corrosion. This is why choosing galvanized steel or aluminum is the best option.
Other Tips for Installation of Vinyl Siding on Your House
When it comes to installing siding, gathering your materials ahead of time is the best course of action. You want to have everything in place from a utility knife to tin snips and nails to screws for easy access.
What you use to fasten these materials makes a huge impact, as it can damage your siding or corrode it. Care must be taken whether using nails or screws to allow for expansion and contraction of these materials.
While you might be in a hurry to install siding, you should consider adding insulation, whether you need to trim any pieces, or if you’ll have to work with fascia and soffit. It can be a huge undertaking, even for someone with plentiful DIY experience.
The way your house appears from the exterior is the message it sends to visitors and those who pass by. If you install your siding properly, it will look incredible and protect your home. However, if you make a mistake, it can wind up costing you much more than if you’d simply hired a professional from the start.
Benefits of Hiring a Professional to Install Siding and Make Other Exterior Home Improvements
When it comes to the exterior of your home, it has the potential to bring you a greater return on investment if you care for it properly. While you might be great with tools, having experience with siding is best when taking on a project like this.
Some grades of siding require additional support, and if you’re trying to do this on your own, you may wind up cracking some of the boards. It’s a smart investment to hire a professional to ensure everything is done according to procedure.
With a pristine finish and clean lines, siding can help you command a greater value for your home if you plan to sell it. You can count on Pinnacle Home Improvements to help you determine the right nailing hem thickness and trim the panels to the right fit. Adding insulation is recommended as well to further help your home stay energy efficient. You may also need help fitting the siding along windows and other areas to ensure proper alignment.
Services Provided by Pinnacle Home Improvements
With professional siding services, you can have peace of mind that your home is protected through the years. Pinnacle Home Improvements provides installation for siding with a focus on vinyl. Our licensed and insured team can help you learn more about various materials. We’re here to answer all your questions and help you make the right decision for your home.
Along with siding, we also provide roofing services including replacements and installation. If you have outdated windows, we can add those services in along with siding to tackle all these jobs at once. The result will be a visually stunning, revived home that you’ll love all over again thanks to its new and improved aesthetics.
If you’re considering any project for the exterior of your home, it requires having the right tools and experience for a perfect finish. Let us support you in making it the best one on the block by contacting us for our services today.
