Vinyl siding adds to a home’s value without requiring the upkeep of paint or stains. Many homeowners now choose to do their own vinyl siding installation. With a few supplies and tips, this home repair job can be completed by almost any homeowner.

Collect the Proper Tools and Supplies

For a do-it-yourself vinyl siding job, the homeowner needs the following supplies: a knife, framing square, level, chalk, hammer, tape measure, saw, chalk line, nails, nail slot punch, and ladder. Additional tools may be required depending on the job.

Give Allowance for Contraction and Expansion of Vinyl Siding

Applying siding isn’t a simple matter of nailing up the siding. It also takes into consideration that fact that heat and cold expands and constricts the siding, so a do-it-yourselfer will need trim pieces that take into account the heat and cold elements. These pieces include inside and outside corner strips and j strips. These pieces allow for expansion of vinyl during weather extremes and fills in the occurring gaps.

Install Side Pieces First

Before installing the siding pieces, install the side pieces. This includes anywhere that the siding comes into contact with another surface. This would be corners, window frames, roofs, and eaves.

Install Starter Strip

The strip serves as the base and support piece for all other pieces. The starter strip goes around the entire house. It strip may be installed at the bottom or top however it is easier to work from the bottom up.  Be sure to measure with chalk and create a chalk line so vinyl is even along the entire width of the house.

Install First Siding Panel

The first panel will be installed and locked into place with the first starter strip. This is why it is best to install the starter strip at the bottom. Nails should be 3/8 of an inch and placed 16 inches apart. These secure the siding in place.

Continue with Panels

Continue installing panels, leaving spaces on the side for finishing trim. It is a good idea to overlay panels on top of each other, allowing for at least an inch of overlay. It is suggested to leave a slight gap between the nail and the siding to allow for expansion and contraction of siding. If nails are flush with the siding, the vinyl will crack or break during extreme weather.

Finish off the Trim

Complete any gaps in sides or top of siding with trim. The siding can be left as is or painted over to match other house features.

For those who doubt their expertise or find the job to be too much, remember that help is simply a phone call away for a free quote. Applying siding properly takes a lot of time and patience, and some homeowners find it too difficult. To find out prices to install vinyl siding, take a look at our Siding Calculator.