The siding on your home isn’t just important for the look of your house, because it also protects the structure from weather and cold, and provides a measure of insulation. That being said, siding can also completely change the look of your house, and a simple siding replacement can update your home and make it look brand new.
However, the typical homeowner doesn’t know what goes into a siding replacement project, so they have no idea what to expect when they call in a siding contractor for an estimate or to do the job. If you’re considering new siding for your home and want to know more about the process, here are the three major steps that any siding replacement project will involve.
Step One: Getting Rid of the Original Siding
The first step in any siding project is typically removing the original siding, and the only time this isn’t necessary is when you’re applying a metal siding over certain types of existing siding. Your siding contractor will come with all the tools necessary to tear out the siding, and will then haul it away when the project is finished.
Depending on the weather and the size of the company you hire, the contractor may decide to remove all the siding before installing the siding replacement, or the crew might start installing the new siding as soon as the removers are finished with a section of the house. Depending on the type of siding that’s coming off, this job usually takes between one and two days.
Step Two: Replacing the Sheathing
Sheathing is a layer of protective material under the siding that provides additional insulation, can increase the strength of the wall and gives you something to affix the siding to. When the original siding comes off the house, your siding contractor will assess the condition of the existing sheathing. If it’s damaged or compromised in any way, the contractor will remove the sheathing and replace it with a new layer. This typically takes between one and two days as well.
Step Three: Installing the New Siding
The third and final step in a siding replacement project is installing the new siding, which takes between two and three days. One thing to do before this part of the job is to make sure that your contractor has somewhere to pile the new siding before it goes onto the house. The siding won’t be there long enough to damage the lawn, but it does need to be stored somewhere on your property for a couple of days. From start to finish, a siding replacement project can take anywhere from three to seven days, depending on the original siding and the material chosen for the replacement.
When you decide it’s time to upgrade your home and replace the siding, the first step will be to choose the new siding. You have quite a few different choices in terms of materials and styles, so if you need help making a decision, or want more information about your options, the experts at Home Design Exteriors can help. And when it’s time to get started on the project, contact us to request a free replacement siding quote.