Siding is a major investment and will last decades if it is installed by experienced professionals who are well trained in the placement of the material you chose. If you’re a DIY enthusiast, siding isn’t the place to do it yourself. There are too many elements that hinge on proper installation for you to risk compromising the high performance you deserve from new siding.
Hiring a reputable contractor (like us!) to replace your siding so you can avoid common problems is well worth the investment.
Bypass Costly Siding Installation Mistakes by Hiring an Experienced Pro
Siding is your home’s protective layer, so your contractor must pay extra attention to the details when installing your siding.
1. Installing Subpar Siding Material
There is a wide variety of siding material to choose from when your home is in need of a new protective covering. The two most important things to get right in siding replacement is hiring a reputable contractor and selecting premium, durable material. You will either pay upfront or pay later (by needing to reinstall your home’s protective layer again soon). Satisfied homeowners invest upfront in a durable siding material that will safeguard their home from the elements for decades. At JD Hostetter, we install long lasting James Hardie fiber cement siding that keeps your home protected for up to 50 years.
2. Cutting Corners by Skipping the Underlayment Step
Skipping the underlayment step of siding installation decreases the lifetime of your replacement siding. It can cost you in repairs because the underlayment offers protection against moisture intrusion and contributes to the level of comfort you experience inside your house.
3. Nailing Your Siding in Too Tightly
To make way for fluctuating temperatures year-round, siding should not be nailed too tightly. Siding expands and contracts when temperatures change. If it is nailed too tightly, it will crack or buckle because it won’t be able to move easily. The result is costly moisture damage, insect infestation, and trouble with wood rot.
4. Inappropriate Clearance
Siding shouldn’t come into contact with your roof, your finishing trim, or your landscaping. There should be just enough clearance that the siding doesn’t touch these other elements. But keep in mind that too much clearance can pave the way for costly damage from pest infestation, moisture damage, wood rot, mold, and more.
5. Overlapped Siding Joints
Your home will look lackluster if joints overlap, creating an unattractive wavy look.
6. Placing Nails Improperly
Siding installation should be secure, yet give your home room to breathe. If nails are too close together, they restrict breathability, and if they are too far apart, they may cause siding to warp or sag over time. Experienced siding professionals understand this delicate balance and avoid this common installation mistake.
7. Hiring an Inexperienced Contractor
Make sure you never hire an inexperienced contractor to do major upgrades or repairs on your home. Inexperienced contractors may be more prone to make the mistakes in this blog than the well-seasoned pros who have been “around the block” for several years. Nothing can replace experience, so make sure the contractor you hire has a history of successful installations.
8. Choosing the Wrong Color or Siding Style
Your siding is the most visible feature of your exterior. It’s vital that you don’t decrease your curb appeal with the wrong color combination. When picking color, keep in mind you will eventually sell your home.
How to Avoid the 8 Common Siding Mistakes
Take Time to Find the Right Contractor
The team who installs your siding will make or break the long-term outcome you receive. Take time to vet your siding contractor. Check with the Better Business Bureau to see how their rating looks against other siding professionals. Make sure they are licensed with the state and carry insurance to protect you should an accident take place on your property.
Check online reviews, and ask the contractor if you can see recent projects they completed. Talk with the contractor you are considering and find out the details—like their payment schedule, how long it will take to schedule your siding replacement, and what the timeline looks like for its completion.
Resist the Temptation to DIY
Siding installation is not a DIY project. Don’t risk major moisture damage, pest infestation, and costly foundation issues that faulty siding installation can spawn. Leave siding installation to the experienced pros so you can rest at ease your most significant investment is well protected regardless of the weather.
Sample a Variety of Color Combinations before Deciding on the Perfect Fit for Your Home
Ensure you get the ideal look for your home by sampling a diversity of color selections. If you choose James Hardie siding for your home, take a look at their popular Statement Collection and their Dream Collection of designer-picked hues. Hardie’s ColorPlus technology delivers factory finished hues that are fade resistant, UV resistant, and warrantied for 15 years against chipping, cracking, and flaking.
Enjoy Long-Lasting Siding Installed Right the First Time
You can bypass the common siding installation mistakes many homeowners encounter by hiring a reputable contractor (like us!). At JD Hostetter & Associates, we are proud to be an Elite Preferred James Hardie Contractor, providing durable fiber cement siding. And we were honored to receive the 2019 James Hardie President’s Club award, a distinction granted to just 20 contractors annually—and we were the only winner in Indiana.
We’re also honored to announce that JD Hostetter & Associates was chosen as a “2023 TOP 500 Remodeler” by the Qualified Remodeler editorial staff for meeting a set of criteria including:
- Installed remodeling dollar volume
- Total years in business
- Industry association membership
- Industry certification
- Industry awards
- Community service
You can trust our experienced team with your siding installation. Take a moment to learn more about how our siding services can enhance your house’s beauty, bolster its protection from the elements, and add lasting value to your home.
