Siding replacement is an important investment made by homeowners. The success of your siding installation project depends a lot on how you plan and prepare for it. While choosing the right renovation team and a reliable siding contractor is a must, preparing the project with your renovation team can help you complete the project smoothly.
As most homes have different attributes and the siding installations for each home may differ based on the needs, understanding the siding process is important to work in sync with your contractor and carry out the project in an efficient manner.
In this article, we’ll discuss the siding process and tips to prepare for your siding installation.
Understanding The Siding Process
Siding does a good job in protecting the house from outside elements, but only when it’s installed properly. Poor siding installation is one of the main causes of water damage in houses. The water gets inside the house through the cracks in the siding and damages the siding, when the siding is not installed properly. That’s why choosing the right siding installation service is a must. For siding installation services in Northern Virginia, check this site.
There are a few different methods of siding installation, and all require a proper moisture barrier. A moisture barrier is applied to the house as well as to the outside of the house, and this prevents moisture from getting inside the house and causing rot and mildew. One other thing that can prevent moisture is the use of solid cement between the outside siding and the house. You may also use heavy-duty weather stripping designed to stop any moisture from getting into the house.
Other common types of siding are aluminum, wood, vinyl, fiber cement, and vinyl sheeting. Some people prefer to use wood because of its natural beauty, but there are some disadvantages of using wood as siding, mainly the price. Fiber cement and vinyl are also very popular because they cost less than wood and keep the siding looking new longer than wood.
Tips on Planning For Your Siding Installation
Once you have chosen the right team to carry out your home’s siding project, you may follow the tips given below to ensure that your home is well-prepared for siding installation.
Consider The Extent of the Job
The extent of a siding replacement is dependent on the size of the home and the contractor or siding company you hire. This is a primary consideration in your preparation for siding installation. The size of the house, number of rooms, and overall terrain will greatly affect your preparation timeline. It’s always good to have a rough idea of how much work your house is worth before you start.
Know The Area For Siding Installation
Another important piece of information to have before starting your preparation is to know the square footage of the home, including any outbuildings or garages. If you have questions about your square footage during the installation process, you should feel comfortable asking a professional contractor. Knowing the square footage area of your installation site will help you understand how long the process will take and how much will it cost you.
Remove Exterior Furniture
Because most of the siding work will be done outdoors, remove all the outdoor furniture before you start the siding work. Tables, chairs, potted plants, or any other furniture may get in the way of the installation team. This would also prevent any delay in the installation.
Take Care Of The Trees Or Shrubs
If you have any overgrown trees or shrubs in the vicinity that may affect the siding installation, trim or tie them down for the duration of the project so that they don’t interfere with the siding process. Also, make sure that the grass is well-manicured or cut short. This will help the siding installation workers in finding any small nails or staples that may get misplaced during the installation process.
Remove Interior Wall Paintings Or Mirrors
During the siding replacement process, the interior walls may shake due to the strong vibrations. This may cause the paintings or mirrors hung loosely on the walls to fall off. Thus, any paintings or mirrors hanging on the walls inside your home should be removed. You may also consider removing the shelves and other furniture away from the walls to ensure that they don’t get damaged during the installation process.
Keep Your Driveway Clear
When you’re replacing your siding, the old siding and debris will need to be cleared. For this, a dumpster will be sent to your home for collecting the debris. Make sure that your driveway is clear so that the workers have easy access to the siding installation spot.
Take Safety Precautions
Once the siding installation starts, keep your car away so that the loose debris doesn’t damage it. Keep children and pets away, too, to avoid accidents.
Conclusion
If you’ve decided to install a new siding for your home, understand the siding installation process beforehand. Knowing the process, square foot area for installation, and the approximate time required for it will help you prepare and plan better for your siding installation.