Siding Installation: What to Expect

Siding Demolition
The existing siding needs to be torn out and this will happen in one of two ways. One, the siding professionals will tear out all the old siding then come back to apply the new. Two, as soon as some of the workers have finished removing the siding from one wall, the other professionals will begin applying the new siding as the rest is being torn down. Of course, the second method is typically employed during months of extreme weather to limit the home's exposure to the elements, not to mention if the siding company has enough manpower to operate in this way. The first option is not better or worse, but sometimes with large homes or brittle siding, this chore can just take all day.

The old siding is usually hauled off in a dump truck, but occasionally it can be left in a big pile for a few days until the job is completed. Rest assured that once the job is finished the pile will be gone.

Repairing the Sheathing
If the sheathing behind the old siding is damaged or unusable for any reason, it will need to be replaced wherever its integrity has been compromised. The sheathing is very inexpensive, so the added cost here will basically be labor. If you are unsure about why something needs to be fixed, have your contractor show you the damage and also show you what sheathing looks like that is in good condition so you can compare. Also, have him check and or replace the wood trim.

Applying the Siding
The new siding will typically be stacked on your yard someplace. This is not much of a worry since most siding specialists will be done in 2-3 days, which in not enough time to damage the lawn. If you have a small yard or a cluttered one, it would be a good idea to clear a space for the material and for the siding contractors. Click here to read about working with siding contractors.