How to Replace Wood Siding DIY
Wood siding is manufactured in two basic types. Sheet wood siding is manufactured in sheets of 4 by 8 feet and must be installed vertically, and lap wood siding is manufactured in 8-inch-wide-by-10-foot-long pieces that must be installed horizontally in a lap pattern where the pieces overlap each other. Both types of sidings usually last 5 to 10 years, but sometimes these materials become damaged and need repairing. Repair your wood siding in four to eight hours, depending on the size and scope of the project. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Hammer
- Flat pry bar
- Reciprocating saw
- Putty knife
- Circular saw
- Tape measure
- Carpenter's square
- Galvanized siding nails
- Caulk
- Primer
- Paint or stain
Instructions
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Lap Siding
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1
Remove all trim from around the siding before you remove the siding. Use a flat bar and putty knife to work the trim loose and cut through any nails with a reciprocating saw. Use your hammer to break away the damaged siding, but be careful not to damage the surrounding siding. Use a pry bar to gently work loose the siding directly above the piece you are replacing. Then use a reciprocating saw to cut through the nails beneath the siding and remove the damaged piece.
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2
Measure the length of the piece necessary to fill in the void. The pieces are stock at 10 feet from the factory; however, you may need to cut your piece down to fit. Slide the new lap siding in place beneath the top piece you pried away from the wall and over the lower piece that remains attached below the replacement. Attach the siding with galvanized nails, but place them high enough so that the top lap of siding covers the siding.
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3
Caulk all new seams of your siding, and prime and paint, or stain your wood to preserve your work. If you are staining your siding, use clear caulk, but only after you have stained the wood. If painting and priming, caulk first, and then prime and paint.
Sheet Siding
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4
Remove all trim around the siding. Place a hole in the siding between studs and remove the siding by pulling it away from the wall. Slide your flat pry bar beneath the seams of the siding and gently pry away from the wall.
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5
Place the sheet onto the wall and attach, using galvanized nails. Place the nails 16 inches apart-- up and down the wall. The sheet siding should go on your wall in one whole sheet; however, if you need to cut your siding, do not cut the side that meets another piece of siding. These sheets are cut so that the seams interlock, which will match the patterns in the siding.
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6
Caulk, prime and paint or stain your new siding.
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1
Tips & Warnings
Wear safety glasses when using your circular saw or reciprocating saw.
References
- Photo Credit edge of building image by jimcox40 from Fotolia.com
