Curb Appeal with Confidence

by David Smith
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Getting Vinyl Siding Right Involves Simple, But Important, Rules of Thumb


Vinyl siding and its accessories are designed with elongated slots to accommodate movement as the product expands and contracts. It also is important to leave a gap between the nail head or staple and the siding nail hem to account for movement on the nail shank. About 1/32 inch—the thickness of a dime—is the recommended gap. Position nails in the center of the slot to allow for expansion.

A good tip for assessing proper nailing is to make sure you can move the vinyl siding side to side or a corner post up or down slightly. Visually, you also should see a gap between the end of the siding and the back of the accessory. On the flip side, it is also possible to leave too large a gap. Overlapping siding and accessories is important; if pieces are cut too short in the heat of summer, they could possibly shrink out of the pocket of the accessory in the winter. Overlap one panel over the other by half of the factory notch, or approximately 1 inch. If the overlap is not enough, the panels could separate in colder weather; if it is too much, movement could be restricted.

When overlapping siding, face the overlap away from the driveway or front entryway to avoid showing seams. Overlaps or joints should be randomly placed, and if one joint needs to be directly placed above another, there should be a least three rows between them. To avoid waviness, look down the length of the panel when installing and adjust the nail in or out to keep the top lock straight. If the nail has to be adjusted out more than 1/4 inch, a shim should be placed between the wall and the back of the panel.

As you install panels, always check that the buttlock, or the lip at the bottom of the panel, is fully engaged with the panel below it for the entire length of the panel. When you get to openings or the top of a wall, there are techniques for installing partial profiles. Consult the Washington, D.C.-based Vinyl Siding Institute’s Vinyl Siding Installation Manual or your manufacturer’s instructions for details about these specific installation procedures, as well as proper techniques for installing fascia and soffit on a home.

A Class above the Rest

Installation certification is an increasingly important selling point to customers, and some jurisdictions and companies now require it. The Washington, D.C.-based Vinyl Siding Institute-certified installers must have at least one year of installation experience; take a course about vinyl siding installation from a VSI certified trainer; and pass an examination to independently verify their knowledge of proper installation techniques. VSI-certified installer companies must have in place an approved quality-control manual and a VSI-certified installer or trainer present on every crew where vinyl siding is being installed. For more information about finding or becoming a VSI certified installer, trainer or certified installer company, visit VSI’s Web site at VinylSiding.org. To learn more best practices for installing vinyl siding, consult the manufacturer’s instructions; local, state or regional building codes; and the VSI Vinyl Siding Installation Manual, which can be downloaded for free from VSI’s Web site.

Siding that Saves Energy

As homeowners look to increase their home’s energy efficiency, many are turning to insulated siding. Insulated siding is vinyl siding engineered with rigid foam insulation integral to the panel. Insulated siding reduces thermal bridging, or heat loss, around studs and wall openings. It complies with the 2009 International Energy Conservation Code requirements for continuous insulation and can meet the requirements of various building energy-performance programs, including Energy Star Qualified Homes Version 3, which goes into effect this year.

To ensure insulated siding helps improve energy performance, proper installation is critical. Many insulated siding installation techniques are the same as those for vinyl siding, but there are a few specific techniques to keep in mind:

Because insulated siding is thicker than vinyl siding alone, it may require fasteners and accessories that can accommodate the foam insulation.

Extra thickness also should be accounted for at windows, doors and other openings; installers can use wood shims and aluminum trim coil or vinyl lineals to build out openings.

No gap is needed between the foam at the ends of insulated siding panels. When installing panels, installers should be sure the ends of the foam insulation behind the vinyl siding are touching (unless installing in cold weather).

In remodeling jobs, insulated siding can be installed over furring strips, but for it to qualify as home insulation it must be installed directly over a water-resistive barrier and sheathing. Insulated siding installed over furring strips alone would not be considered home insulation.

As a supplement to the Vinyl Siding Installation Manual, the Washington, D.C.-based Vinyl Siding Institute has created a resource with energy-performance information and installation techniques for insulated siding. Insulated

Siding as Home Insulation: Guide for Users and Energy Raters describes and illustrates various wall assemblies for insulated siding to ensure performance in various climate zones. The guide also demonstrates how insulated siding can be used as a component of a high-performance wall to help meet or exceed the IECC requirements for continuous insulation.

The free, downloadable guide is available at InsulatedSiding.info and can help you compete with insulated siding in this energy-conscious market.

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