Learning About Historical Window Replacement and Materials

3 Mistakes To Avoid When Installing Vinyl Siding

12 January 2023

Isaiah Brewer

Many modern homeowners are making the choice to update their home's exterior with vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is durable and affordable. It comes in a range of colors to help create your desired aesthetic.

In order to enjoy the full benefits that vinyl siding can offer, you need to ensure that your siding is installed properly. Working with an experienced contractor will help you avoid some of the serious installation mistakes that could shorten the lifespan of your vinyl siding.

1. Nailing Vinyl Siding Too Tightly 

Specialized nails are used to attach sections of vinyl siding to your home's exterior. It is critical that the contractor installing your new siding understands that nails must not be pounded too far into the surface of the vinyl.

If vinyl siding is attached too tightly, the wood frame materials underneath the vinyl will not be able to expand and contract as outdoor temperatures fluctuate.

Leaving a small amount of space between the nail head and the surface of your new siding allows for natural expansion and contraction without compromising the integrity of the vinyl itself.

2. Leaving Too Much Space Between Nails

The amount of space that is left between nails during installation will have a direct impact on the look and performance of your new vinyl siding. Nails must be close enough together to ensure wind and debris are unable to find their way underneath the vinyl panels.

Nails that are spaced too far apart can cause your vinyl siding to look wavy and unfinished. Nails that are placed too closely together can detract from the clean lines of your vinyl siding and increase the overall cost of installation.

Experienced installers know exactly how much space to leave between nails to maximize both function and efficiency.

3. Leaving Visible Seams

Vinyl siding is installed by individually placing each vinyl plank onto your home's exterior and nailing it into place. It's important that the contractor installing your vinyl siding understands how to stagger the seams when individual planks are joined together.

Staggering the seams will help to camouflage the appearance of the connection points. Placing all of the seams in the same location will detract from the beauty of your home's exterior.

If you want to avoid multiple seams, talk to your contractor about using custom lengths of vinyl planking to complete your siding project.

Knowing how installation errors can affect the outcome of your vinyl siding project allows you to find the contractor that can install your new siding without making any major mistakes.

Speak to a contractor to learn more about siding installation. 

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