Details To Check When Siding Your Home
Surface Preparation Proper preparation of the existing siding is very important. Rotted wood must be removed and replaced with solid material before the siding is installed. Any loose wood or buckled siding must be secured firmly to the house.
What type of Insulation should be used? This is the perfect time to add more insulating value to your home making it more energy efficient and quiet. There are three main types of underlayment used. Some companies will just use a paper to cover the home or more commonly is a 3/8" foil backed foam with white coffee-cup type styrofoam. Both types offer poor surface leveling properties and when they get wet they hold moisture so the insulating value is reduced to nothing. The best underlayment is a ridged polystyrene at least 1/2" thick. This type of insulation gives the installer a nice level surface to install his siding, as well as making the home quieter and more energy efficient. Also, polystyrene is a closed cell material that will not absorb moisture.
How is the Trim Handled? This is one of the most important details of the job and can be handled several different ways. The most common is to install a channel accessory around the windows and doors to accept the siding and then cap the casings around the windows and doors with a smooth painted aluminum called "coil stock". This coil stock is formed on a piece of equipment called a "break" used to bend metal. The problem with this method is your home has been built out with insulation and new siding and now comes past your trim. This gives you a sunken look to your windows instead of a uniformed look like the original trim. The most authentic way of handling the trim is to conceal the J channel as it's called, so the siding can be installed behind the new trim; thus giving you a uniform look to your windows. This method of trim requires skilled craftsmen to form and install. It may cost you more than your typical J channel trim, but the look achieved is well worth it.
What other Insulating steps are taken? It's very important when installing vinyl siding to make sure the contractor you're dealing with supplies you with adequate ventilation. This is the perfect opportunity to vent eaves and overhangs and install a center vented perforated soffit to give you more airflow up in the attic. Also, to change or enlarge gable louvers is another important step. Increase in ventilation will make your home more energy efficient, as well as extend the life of your roof. Another step that helps in the insulating process is to install a foundation cap around the perimeter of the home at the bottom of the siding. This finishes off the foam as well as the old siding. This prevents snowdrifts and insects from going up into the old siding. It also reduces the air infiltration around the foundation from coming up behind the siding.
What type of gutter system is used and what gauge? There are several different gauges of aluminum gutters. The .032 gauge seamless is the heaviest gauge available and is what is recommended. The way the gutter is hung is also very important. Typically what is used is a spike and furrow, where you have used the spikes on the outside of the gutter going through the face. This type of hanging system is not desirable because it often comes loose and pops out from the fascia. Also, you see spikes on the outside of the gutter every two or three feet. What is recommended is what is called a "hidden hanger." This hanging system clips inside the gutter and is screwed or driven into your fascia board on an angle with a galvanized nail or screw. This hanging system is much stronger than the spike and furrow and you do not see the unsightly nails at 2 or 3 foot intervals on the outside of the gutter. This gives you much cleaner appearance to the gutter; as well as being a much stronger hanging system.
What is the quality of the siding panel? This is obviously a very important step to the siding process. You want to make sure you are installing a high quality piece of siding over, your polystyrene insulating board and your properly prepared surface.