Siding Replacement Tips and Tricks

Your siding protects your home from the elements and boosts its curb appeal. Over time, siding can take a lot of punishment and become damaged. Damaged siding fails to serve its purpose and should be replaced in a timely manner.

Siding replacement in Atlanta can be tricky. Instead of trying to replace siding yourself, hire a professional. Siding contractors possess specialized skills. Their expertise and know-how enable them to avoid siding replacement mistakes.

Planning a Siding Replacement Project

Once you have decided to replace your siding, research different siding materials and try to understand their pros and cons. Southern Exteriors offers a variety of siding options, including vinyl and James Hardie, to suit different preferences and budgets. When choosing the right siding for your house, consider the local climate, your budget, and aesthetic preference. Set a realistic budget and find out if your project needs a permit. Plan your project during mild weather, as extreme weather conditions can affect the siding replacement process.

Before Your Siding Contractor Arrives

Perform these tasks before your siding contractor arrives to expedite the siding replacement process.

• Trim shrubs and trees: Trim any overgrown shrubs or trees close to the installation area, so the installer can easily use a magnetic nail finder to pick up stray nails.
• Clear the outdoor area: Remove potted plants, gardening equipment, furniture, or any other items that can obstruct paths.
• Remove any items on your walls: Remove art pieces, framed photos, or any other items hanging on the walls inside your home as walls may vibrate during replacement. You may also want to move any fragile items placed on shelves and tables to a safe place.
• Park your car elsewhere: Your contractor may use a dumpster to collect debris. To make way for the dumpster and create a clear path to the work area, consider parking your car elsewhere.

Old Siding Removal and New Siding Installation

Siding Removal

After your contractor arrives, they check the underlying structure for signs of rot or damage before removing the siding and performing necessary repairs. Once the underlying structure has been repaired, the professional disposes of old siding in an environmentally responsible way.

New Siding Installation

Make sure your siding contractor follows these tips to ensure a flawless siding installation in Atlanta.

• Start installing siding from the bottom and slowly work your way up.
• Leave a small 1/4-inch gap between siding panels and trims or corners, as temperature fluctuations can cause siding materials to expand or contract.
• Stagger the siding laps to ensure no two courses are aligned vertically.
• Joints should overlap away from the entrance.
• Avoid overdriving nails.
• Install window flashing to prevent water infiltration and caulk gaps.

Southern Exteriors is the leading home exterior renovation company catering to homeowners not only in Atlanta but also throughout the entire southeastern USA. Our renovation experts think outside the box to come up with innovative, unconventional exterior renovation ideas. To make an appointment, call (678) 661-4438.