Are you looking for a different way to cover your home? Whether you’re in the market for a house you’re about to build or just want to replace the siding you have now, vinyl siding is a great option. At Advanced Window Products, our experts know vinyl siding installation and can be called upon for advice and expertise at any time.
What is Vinyl Siding?
There are a lot of perks to choosing vinyl over other types of siding. Vinyl siding doesn’t require much maintenance beyond pressure washing now and then, which means you don’t need to re-paint every five years like you do with wood siding. Vinyl is also quite durable; its plastic polymer nature allows it to withstand high winds, extreme summer heat, and subzero winter temperatures. And although it may seem strange to cover a house in a material that is essentially thick plastic, certified vinyl siding is created to resist fading colors, rot, and decay. Vinyl siding is made of PVC, or polyvinyl chloride, and is available in widths of 8-inch, 5-inch, or 3-inch panels.
Installing Vinyl Siding Basics
- Hire a Vinyl Siding Contractor. Your vinyl siding is only as good as your installation. When your vinyl installation is completed by a professional, you can trust that the job will be done right the first time, and many contractors include warranties on not only the product but the installation itself.
- Be Aware of Improper Installation. When looking at your existing vinyl siding, take note of the installation. Vinyl panels can buckle if they are nailed too close to the building, or the trim around windows and doors can be cut too short, allowing water behind the trim and into the building. Be sure to address these concerns with your contractor, so they can not only modify their installation to prevent it from happening again, but also make sure there isn’t any additional damage as a result of the previous installation.
- Typical Vinyl Installation Steps. While all installations can vary, these are the typical steps you can expect your contractor to take to ensure not only a safe and effective installation but one that will last for many years to come.
- Measure and cut the posts for the corners.
- Measure the length of siding you need for each side of the building.
- Carefully cut the vinyl panels with this measurement.
- Nail in the corner posts, followed by measuring and making a careful line with their chalk to mark where the first panel should be nailed down.
- Nail the start strip in place, a long strip that should be nailed to the building every 10 inches.
- Place the vinyl strips using a level, and nail them to the building, leaving a gap between the vinyl strip and the house of about one-eighth of an inch.
- Nail in trim pieces as they go.
- Know How Long it May Take. Although the time frame will vary based on the size of the structure, whether you’re building a house or adding vinyl over an already established structure, etc., you should allow about two weeks for the project to be completely finished.
Contact Advanced Window Products for Vinyl Siding Installation in Utah
Even though “vinyl siding installation” isn’t in the name of our company, we at Advanced Window Products are here for all your vinyl siding installation needs. We offer installation services in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, our prices are fair, and our products are high quality. Contact us here, or call us at 801-505-9622 to find out more about how we can help install your vinyl siding.Frequently Asked Questions About Vinyl Siding
There are two main reasons to consider vinyl siding for your home: • Although vinyl siding may seem similar to wood, it does a better job of insulating your home and standing up to tornado-force winds, making it a much sturdier option for exterior cladding. • Polymer-based sidings won't suffer damage from water, insects, mold, or long-term sun exposure, so an insulated vinyl siding will last longer than wood.
Yes. Tests conducted on different siding materials have found that vinyl siding was the most effective at reducing noise. With energy-efficient vinyl siding on your home, noise can be reduced by up to 45%.
It depends on the material of the old siding. • Wood: As long as there are no signs of rotting, vinyl siding can be installed over wood siding. • Stucco/Block Walls: Furring strips can be installed on the old siding and vinyl siding can be installed directly over them. • Brick: It is not recommended to install vinyl siding over brick. • Cement Board/Old Vinyl: Before installing new vinyl siding, cement board and old vinyl siding must be removed.
You can pressure wash your vinyl siding. However, be aware that pressure washing can damage vinyl siding, and this type of damage isn't covered by warranty. To avoid damaging your vinyl siding, pressure wash on a low setting, use a proper pressure washer detergent, and start washing your siding from a distance to avoid getting water into your walls, which could lead to mold.
You should clean your vinyl siding at least once a year. Attaching a long-handled washing brush with soft bristles to your garden hose will make it easier to wash your siding. You can also use a solution of 30% white vinegar and 70% water to clean your vinyl siding. This solution works as an all-purpose cleaner that's great for removing minor stains like mildew and light mold. For tougher stains, you can mix a stronger solution using water (one gallon), powdered household cleaner (two-thirds cup), powdered laundry detergent (one-third cup), and liquid laundry bleach (one quart).
Vinyl siding lasts at least 20 years. Depending on the thickness of the vinyl and the weather conditions in your area, quality vinyl siding on your house can last for up to 40 or even 50 years. Keep in mind that the better you take care of your siding, the longer it will last!
After all its advantages over other materials, vinyl is the most cost-effective type of siding you can get for your home. Vinyl siding is easy to install, which keeps labor costs down. Vinyl also requires very little maintenance: it doesn't need to be painted and only requires a thorough cleaning about once a year. Call our experts at Advanced Windows USA for a free estimate on our vinyl siding options!
A vinyl panel's thickness is worth taking into consideration because it does contribute to the overall rigidity of the siding. However, the thickness alone does not guarantee durability, high quality, or optimal performance of the siding. When determining the value of a panel, you should always consider other factors aside from thickness. These include the overall panel design and projection, nailing hem design, capstock formulations, embossing grain, locking mechanisms, UV inhibitors, and chemical consistency. All of these features contribute to the benefits of vinyl siding, including tensile strength, panel rigidity, and resistance to wind and fading. While choosing panels for your siding, be sure to ask our experts at Advanced Windows Products. We can help you choose the best vinyl siding for your home!
