Top Siding Installation Services in Benton Harbor, MI

When a new house is being built, new siding is installed over wood wall sheathing which is wrapped with special foam insulation and a barrier for moisture prevention. On older houses, old metal siding, or vinyl siding must be removed before new siding can be installed. However, if the house has existing wood siding, new vinyl siding can be installed over it in some cases. Installing new vinyl siding over existing wood siding requires quite a bit of preparation.

If a siding installation contractor is considering installing vinyl siding over existing wood siding, they will check to see that the wood siding is in great shape. The wood cannot show any signs of rot, mildew or mold. Also, the wood siding must be securely fastened to the wall sheathing or studs. If there are bad boards, they must be replaced. All door and window trim must be removed. A qualified siding installation pro will be able to remove existing siding before installing the new siding on your home. If your home has wood siding that is in great shape, the expert may be able to install the new siding over the old.

In most cases you will need to remove old siding before installing new siding on your home. For example, if you have old vinyl or metal siding on your home it will need to be removed before you install new siding. However, if your home has wood siding that is in excellent condition, you may not need to remove it before installing new vinyl siding.

If you want to install vinyl siding over your current wood siding there are some steps to take for preparation. First, check that the wood is in top condition. It can show no signs of mold, mildew, or insect infestation. If there are bad boards in the siding, those must be replaced. Check to see if the wood siding is securely fastened to the studs or wood sheathing. Remove all door and window trim. If the wood siding is beveled or lapped, you will need to install furring strips covered with rigid foam board to provide a level surface on which to install the new siding. A siding installation pro can help you decide whether you need to remove the old siding before installing new.

When you are getting ready to have new siding installed on your home, leave time for plenty of preparation. Start by removing all the shutters, fixtures and downspouts. Remove any caulking around windows and doors. You’ll want to tie shrubbery and trees back if they are planted close to the house so they will not be damaged in the siding installation process. Install aluminum flashing below, on the sides of, and above any area where water could get in. To create a flat surface on which to install the new siding, install furring strips. Some building codes require applying a weather-resistant barrier over the sheathing.

If you do not have much experience with siding installation and preparing a house for an installation, it may make sense to bring in a pro. A pro will know how to protect your home during the installation process. Most importantly, a siding pro will be able to carry out the installation efficiently, on time, and correctly which can save you potentially costly headaches down the line.

When you are ready to update the look of your home, you may be deciding whether it is cheaper to paint the house, or have siding installed. Both painting and siding installation represent significant investments in terms of time and money. Both painting side installing siding substantially impact the look of a home and can increase its curb appeal. There are costs associated with each option that may or may not be worth the expense in the long run. The short term simple answer is that painting a house is cheaper than installing siding. If you invest in high quality paint and the paint is applied correctly, a freshly painted house can look great and provide protection from weather damage for several years. You can choose from a seemingly limitless array of colors and tints to create the best look for your home. If you choose to paint your home the job will be time consuming (starting with extensive prep work) if you do it yourself. Hiring a contractor will add to the expense.

Having siding installed is more expensive than painting. However, siding lasts longer than paint. Many siding materials are more durable than paint and require less maintenance. If you are undecided about whether to paint or install siding, consult a pro before making the big investment.

If you are trying to figure out how much siding your home will require, some pros recommend using a standard formula. You can find out how many squares of siding your installation project will need by measuring the width and height of each wall in feet. After you have done this, multiply the width by the height. Take this number and divide it by 100. The final figure should be an approximate number of squares needed for each wall. If you are taking on a siding installation for your home, it may make sense to hire a pro.

A pro will have the experience and know how to order the right amount of any of the many siding materials. Siding materials vary in expense, but they all represent an investment. Hiring a pro could save you time and expense starting with the early step of estimating the number of squares of siding your siding installation will require.