5 Mistakes to Avoid When Installing Vinyl Siding.  What You Need To Know.

Most homeowners try to save as much money as possible when maintaining their homes by taking up as many DIY tasks as possible. However, it’s not easy to learn how to repair and install vinyl siding on the fly, as it requires the right skills and expertise to do the job properly. In fact, the improper installation of vinyl siding can lead to expensive mistakes that negatively affect the home’s appearance and value.

It’s best to leave vinyl siding jobs to local roofing contractors, who are well-trained in the most effective ways to do it. Still, it pays to know the right way to install vinyl siding. Here are five mistakes to steer clear from when installing vinyl siding:

1 - Installing Panels Too Snugly

Vinyl siding needs enough space around it so it can move and bend to avoid breaking. It also expands and contracts as the temperatures change. However, if the siding is nailed too tightly, it won’t move as intended, making it more likely to crack. Roofing contracts should create a clearance of 1/32 inch between the nail head and siding to give it enough room to move.

2 - Allowing Excess Overlap

Many homeowners who attempt to install their vinyl siding themselves often leave too much overlap between panels, which leads to an untidy, disordered look. There should be only between one and 1 ¼ inches of overlap in the space where the two boards meet. Too much overlap limits movement and flexibility and increases the risk of oil canning, also known as stress wrinkling or elastic buckling. Oil canning is the occurrence of visible waves in the flat parts of wall panels and metal roofing.

3 - Leaving Visible Seams

When vinyl siding is installed correctly, there wouldn’t be visible seams between panels. These seams are eyesores and can downgrade the home’s entire look. Luckily, manufacturers are now creating longer pieces of siding, which means you’ll have fewer seams to hide in the installation process. Leaving the job to vinyl siding contractors will also ensure that, no matter what, you won’t have visible seams on your siding.

4 - Not Using Foam-Backed Vinyl Siding

Foam-backed siding provides additional insulation to your house and adds another layer of protection from damage. It also insulates your home from sounds, less maintenance, quick panel replacement, and fewer seam problems, making foam-backed siding a worthy investment. 

5 - Failing to Provide Proper Clearance

Siding must not be positioned directly on the roof or trim. However, it shouldn’t sit right on the ground, either. However, if your siding looks like this, it means that you didn’t use the proper clearance. As a result, your siding will be a hub for moisture, which will make the siding break down.

Conclusion

Making any of these mistakes when installing vinyl siding will increase the need for a repair job in the future, which means you’ll have to shell out additional money to solve a preventable problem. However, by leaving the job to roofing and siding contractors, you’ll enjoy a beautifully installed vinyl siding that does a wonderful job of protecting your home.