Vinyl siding can make it easy to re-side you property, no matter how hard it may look in the beginning. You can even cut down the costs of siding installation to less that half, if you install it by yourself. Installation of Vinyl sliding by yourself is easy, if you understand how to do that. In this article you will find some useful tips on how to install Vinyl Sliding.
Necessary Steps
- Prepare the space so that you can work comfortably. Tie back branches from trees, shrubs etc, away from the property. Remove all things that can potentially interfere with the installation. In order to make the vinyl accessories fit properly, scrape the old sealant out of the junctions between the previous sliding windows/doors.
- Nail 1×3 furring strips 16″ on center from the foundation to the eaves, just in case the walls of the house are not leveled properly.
- Now you must find the lowest corner of the house: use a mason’s line and neatly line the level of the property. Make a level chalk line all around the property, by measuring the distance as specified by the Vinyl installation guidebook.
- Nail starter strip all around the base of the property, by using the chalk line you made as a guide. You must leave 1/4″ space between the ends where two pieces bump into each other.
- The next step is to install the inside and outside corner posts. Allow the post to extend below the bottom of the old siding for around 1/4″ and also leave a 1/4″ gap at the eaves.
- You need to install J-channel, first on the sides. After that, install them across the tops of all windows and doors. Notch the J-channel to allow a drip edge at the corners. Next, install the J-channel along the sloped eaves at all gable end walls.
- Install the siding panels, working from the starter strip up. Stagger the joints 4” apart.
- The panels should be overlapped 1″ at each joint. Keep the overlap away from the entrances in order to reduce its visibility. You should leave 1/4″ gap wherever the ends of panels bump into J-channel or corner posts.
- You should not force the panels up against the previous row. Let them hang loose. And check every fifth or sixth course, to ensure that the run is level.
- After that, mark the section you are about to cut to notch a panel, where it will fit under the window. Then take a tin snip and cut from the top of the panel. Score the panel horizontally and cut it apart using a utility knife.
- Hollow the cut edge 16″ on the center, using a snap-lock punch (make sure that lugs are on the outside of the panel), then push the siding panel into place.
- With the help of a circular saw, rip the panel to width at the horizontal eaves, punch the cut edge 16″ on center (with the snap-lock punch). Then, push the panel into place.
- After the work is done, don’t forget about gutter protection and a glass of beer!
Next time I will try to write about soffit and fascia. Keep your finger on the pulse!
Chickens give meat and eggs and help you to save money. Some of the gardeners would like to have chickens but leave this idea thinking that building a chicken coop is very hard thing to do. It is not true. Chicken coops can be built in one or two days. Chickens don’t require a lot of space so you don’t have to build a huge house if you plan to have 5-6 hens.
