How to Prepare a House for New Siding

New vinyl siding will increase a home's market value.

The best way to prepare any house for siding is to apply a house wrap to newly sheathed walls. This will help in waterproofing the sheathing around the house as well as seal any gaps. For an older home, it is necessary to apply a layer of insulation board around the entire exterior of the house. New vinyl siding will dramatically enhance the curb appeal of the home.

Things You'll Need

• Tape measure
• Insulation board
• Hammer stapler
• Staples
• Tape
• Razor knife
• Ladder
• Pry bar
• Hammer

Instructions

1. Remove any exterior light fixtures outside the home; be sure the power is off to any electrical fixtures. Remove any other outdoor fixtures such as garden hose holders, hanging plants, mailboxes and other objects that may be in the way of siding the home.

2. Remove any shutters from the windows on the house. Remove frost boards under all the eaves, using a pry bar and hammer. Frost boards are boards that close the end of the previous (wooden) siding.

3. Install insulation board around the entire exterior of the home. The insulation board will come in 2-foot-by-4-foot sheets that are connected together to create fewer seams. Start from the top of the exterior wall under the eaves and unfold one sheet of the insulation board off the stack. Place the insulation board flat against the exterior of the wall of the home and square with the soffit (the horizontal underside of an eave).

4. Staple each sheet of insulation board with approximately 12-18 staples using a hammer stapler. Unfold the insulation board across the entire width of the exterior wall (while keeping the insulation board square with the soffit) and stapling each sheet with approximately 12-18 staples using a hammer stapler. Be sure to cut the insulation board tight to all sides of the windows. This is easiest to accomplish when you are at the window initially rather than going back to perform the cutting later. Cover the entire exterior of the home with the insulation board.

5. Tape all the seams on the insulation board using a weatherproof tape of at least 2-inch width. Tape around every window frame to seal any gaps between the wall and the insulation board. Taping the seams will keep wind from getting behind the insulation board and tearing boards away from the home.

Tips & Warnings

• Climbing a ladder can pose danger, take all necessary precautions.

References

• BIY Today