A siding replacement project is a huge deal for a variety of reasons. Once it’s completed, you can enjoy your investment’s numerous benefits, from improved insulation and enhanced curb appeal, to better energy efficiency and more weather-resistant home. That said, you must take proactive measures to ensure a smooth-sailing and hassle-free process. Preparing your home, for instance, is imperative if you want the process to be as smooth-sailing and hassle-free as possible.
In this blog post, Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. shares the things that can guarantee a smooth siding installation project.
What a Professional Siding Installation Looks Like
But first, let’s discuss what a professional siding installation usually entails. The actual process starts with you and your chosen contractor choosing the siding that best fits your needs and budget. After agreeing to the details of the project, including the timeline and payment terms, you can expect the team to arrive on the scheduled date and time.
Once the workers arrive at your home, they’ll begin the installation by preparing all tools, equipment and old siding disposal storage units. They will start removing the old siding, making sure they are disposed of properly. Then, they’ll inspect and clean the exterior walls to make way for the new siding. They will use the measurements done during your consultation to ensure a precise fit for every siding panel. A post-installation sealing is then performed. They wrap up the process with a walkthrough where you and the team leader will check for anything unusual. Before calling it a day, they may even help you in cleaning the work area, making sure they leave it the way it is when they arrive.
How to Guarantee a Smooth-Sailing Siding Replacement
Preparation is key to ensure the success of your siding replacement project. Keep these things in mind when preparing for this major home improvement project.
1. Siding Material Essentials
It all starts with knowing which siding is the best fit for your needs. While finding the right siding material requires research, the good news is that you are afforded with plenty of choices. Each has its benefits and drawbacks, however, which is why it pays to be aware of them so you can compare between options and determine which one meets your needs in terms of weather protection, durability and level of maintenance.
Siding aesthetics also matter. Choose a color or pattern that enhances your home’s existing beauty. Drive around your neighborhood, look at homes with the same architecture as yours and check their siding color combination and style. If you still feel uninspired, your professional contractor can recommend several fiber cement or wood siding styles or accompany you in reviewing the HOA’s suggested residential siding aesthetics based on their guidelines.
Once you’ve made your choice of siding and contractor for the job, see to it that the new siding panels are stored in an area where the installation team can easily gain access to them. You can dedicate your garage or any space outdoors with a clear path to your exterior walls.
2. Prepare the Home Exterior
Make sure the exterior of your home is clear of obstructions before the siding installation begins. This way, the installation team can perform their tasks seamlessly, from removing the old siding panels and repairing unforeseen damage, to installing the new siding.
3. Clear Foliage
Foliage growing around or near your siding can impede the progress of your siding replacement project. If you have trees with overgrown branches, have them trimmed back. Tie back shrubs and other greenery that might get in the way. Place a plastic covering or drop cloth on your flower beds so they don’t accumulate dust and debris. Lastly, keep the height of the grass short and clear potted plants away from the exterior walls.
4. Remove Outdoor Furniture
Outdoor furniture can also be seen as an obstruction during the siding installation. Before the installers arrive, have some of the pieces stashed away, be it inside the garage shed or anywhere in your yard where they’re away from the walls.
5. Clear Items on Interior Shelves and Walls
Don’t overlook the inside of your home! Siding installation involves lots of vibrations that can cause items hanging on walls and displayed on shelves to tip over, fall and break. Before the installation date, make it a point to remove framed artworks, photos, figurines and other decorative items that might get damaged once the installers start doing work.
Signs You Should Replace Your Siding
Replacing your old siding with new fiber cement or engineered wood siding is an immense investment, which is why it helps that you are aware of the signs telling you it’s time to tackle this major home improvement. Start with a close visual inspection. Go around your home and take note of anything that seems out of place.
While most of the siding panels might still look durable, some may already be discolored or have obvious cracks or warping. Deterioration on the insulation and wrapping between the siding and foundation wall could also point to the need for an immediate replacement. Work with a professional contractor who can check your siding’s overall condition and estimate its lifespan to determine if it can still be repaired or needs to be replaced.
Siding Maintenance Tips
Your new siding will last longer if you maintain it well. Vinyl requires periodic cleaning and is known for its durability, but it has a short color lifespan when consistently exposed to direct sunlight. Wood requires staining to maintain its aesthetic appeal and regular treatments to repel termites and insects from eating away at the organic material. Fiber cement, such as the quality products from James Hardie®, only requires minimal maintenance because of its excellent resistance to fading, moisture, insects and heat.
Call Us for a Quote!
Need high-quality professional siding with exceptional life span and performance? Turn to the best in the local area. Peninsula Siding Company, Inc. is a highly trusted local contractor with years of extensive experience improving the aesthetics and weather protection of homes through quality siding products.
We are a James Hardie Preferred Contractor that guarantees manufacturer-approved installations. To learn more about our fiber cement siding, engineered wood, and cedar siding options, give us a call at (650) 287-4208, or fill out our contact form to request a quote. We serve homeowners in San Carlos, CA, and the surrounding communities in the Bay Area.