Can You Install Vinyl Siding Over Wood Siding? Preparations You Need To Do | Big Easy Siding
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Can You Put Vinyl Siding Over Wood Siding? Preparations You Need To Do

Vinyl Siding Service

One of the biggest advantages of working with vinyl siding instead of the other kind of sidings is the price, since it is relatively inexpensive, they are perfect for a DIY (do-it-yourself) kind of project, it would be able to resist insects, and it would never rot. That is why a lot of people want to make the switch from having wood siding for their homes to vinyl siding. 

When you are installing vinyl siding over wood sidings, there are a couple of preparations you are going to have to do. Vinyl siding vs. wood siding has had an ongoing debate amongst people online on which material is best to use. And replacing wood siding with vinyl has been something that has been done a few times. 

Should I Remove the Wood Siding On My Home or Cover It Up With Vinyl?

When to Remove Wood Siding or Cover it Up with Vinyl?

Vinyl Siding Worker

When it comes to removing the wood siding of your home or when you opt to just cover it up, upgrading the quality of the material used would be so much quicker and so much easier. The chemistry that is being used in the making of the vinyl material has improved greatly, making it so much easier to install

 There are a few things you have to consider when you are wondering whether you should remove the wood siding and when to cover it up with vinyl instead. When using vinyl siding it is not likely to reap moisture because there are no tiny holes that would allow the water to seep in.

When Leaving Wood Siding in Place is a Good Option

Vinyl Siding Install

There is also a possible scenario where you are going to have to leave your wood siding right in place and that is when you notice that the wood used is in relatively good shape and if you have confirmed that there is no moisture on the wood whatsoever

Not removing the wood siding would help you get rid of any extra costs that you are going to have to inevitably spend when you remove it. So when you are on a tight budget, you could look at the condition of your wood siding and decide whether you could keep it intact or not.

When Removing the Wood Siding is the Best Option

Worker installs plastic siding on the facade of the house

On the other hand, you also have to be aware of the fact that there may be instances where you are going to have to remove the wood siding. This happens when you notice that there are visible moisture problems with the wood siding that are currently installed in your home

The moisture problem could cause so much more damage that you could have avoided if you had only removed it, like damaging the plywood and needing to get it replaced instead. It is better to make sure you do your best to make sure that there is no damage than to do these extra steps for damage control.

Preparations Needed When Installing Vinyl Over Wood

  • Wood Must Be Sound

The first thing that you are going to have to do is make sure that your wood siding is in relatively good shape. This means that you have to make sure that there are no roots or molds on it, and it is fastened on your wall tightly. 

If there are any bad boards on it, you have to make sure what you replace them with, and your walls need to only have wood siding on them.

  • Furring and Foam

When you are installing your vinyl siding, you have to make sure that you install it on a flat surface. So you are going to have to make sure that your wood siding is placed like studs on the wall

If it is lapped, then you have to get some vertical trips that are placed 16 inches apart and cover them with rigid foam. This would be able to give it this flat surface that you are going to need.

  • Moisture Barrier

The next thing that you are going to need is a moisture barrier so you have to make sure that this is found under your wood siding. 

If you do not have any moisture barrier on your wood siding now, then what you could do is wrap the area with polyethylene, or any similar materials and place it over rigid foam. Once it is placed there, then you are going to have to get it tacked in place using broad-headed nails.

  • Adjust Frames

Contractor Cleaning Vinyl Siding

When you are planning on putting vinyl siding over wood siding, then you are going to have to adjust your window frames and door frames because you are going to be having a much thicker wall

You are going to have to make sure that you measure your wall, and the vinyl panels that you are planning on putting, and then make sure that you also add the width of the foam insulation. To extend the width of your window, then you could use a brick mold.

  • Fastening Strips

If you are installing your vinyl sidings on your wood sidings, then you are going to have to make sure that you fasten the strips. Grab chalk and then use it to put a line around the bottom of your home. Make sure that you make it about an inch above the bottom of your wood siding.

  • Snap Panels

When installing your vinyl panels, then you are going to have to install them one panel at a time. When doing this, you are going to have to start at the back corner of your home. You could snap the bottom of your first panel and make sure that it is securely put there before pushing the end of the panel into the J-channel.

Vinyl and wood siding would have to be the most popular siding materials used for the home, and for good reasons. If you are planning on replacing your wood siding with vinyl siding, you are going to have to make sure that you go through all of the needed preparations so that you would get the kind of result that you want. 

There is a chance, when you are doing this procedure, that you are going to have to adjust some of your windows and door frames. If you are interested in working on this project, look for a siding contractor in your area or hire a professional now!

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