Understanding the siding installation process will help you prepare for your siding replacement, ensuring a smooth experience and fantastic results. Siding installation includes the removal of your current siding, repairs of any hidden moisture intrusion that surfaced during removal, insulation, siding installation, trim work, and cleanup. If you have your siding painted at the factory, it will take less time for the full installation process. If you choose to paint your siding after installation—a few days will be added to the timeline.
Let’s dive into the siding installation process so you can get ready for what’s just ahead.
7 Steps in the Siding Installation Process
Once you vet the right contractor, choose your siding material, style, and color, your installation will be scheduled. Keep in mind weather can be a factor and may cause delays.
1. Get your home ready for new siding
Before your siding installation crew arrives, there are a few things you can do to make the process go smoothly. Trim the shrubs and trees around your home so they are at least 6 inches away from your siding. Cut your grass as short as possible so the crew can clean up easily at the end of each day, ensuring no nails or other sharp objects are left on your property. Keep your driveway free and clear of vehicles, toys, and clutter during siding installation.
Take all fragile items down from the walls of your home so they don’t get damaged. And realize the siding crew will need access to a power outlet, so it’s helpful to have one available (preferably one on a 20-amp circuit). If you work from home, plan to work somewhere else while siding is being installed, and make alternate arrangements for your young children and pets.
2. Your current siding will be removed
A few days prior to your new siding’s installation, your contractor will have a dumpster delivered to your driveway so they can dispose of your current siding properly in it. Placing wood under the dumpster’s pressure points will help avoid damage to your driveway. Some municipalities may require a permit for a dumpster, along with other building permits, so talk with your contractor in advance.
When your siding crew arrives, they will set up workstations and remove your current siding. Be sure you wear sturdy shoes if you walk about during the siding removal and installation process. Assume there are nails on the ground and protect yourself to avoid an accident.
3. Your walls will be assessed and repaired if needed
Hidden moisture damage sometimes shows up when your old siding is removed. Wood rot, mold, and other signs of water penetration indicate the need for some repairs to be made before your new siding is installed. If the sheathing beneath your siding has deteriorated, it will be replaced.
4. Insulation will be placed to ensure energy efficiency
Your contractor will ensure your home is well insulated before installing your new siding.
5. Your new siding and trim will be attached
Your replacement siding will be meticulously fitted, and your home will be well protected from weather 24/7 again—and look its best, increasing your property value with enhanced curb appeal.
If you choose James Hardie fiber cement siding, their impressive HardieWrap will be installed under your siding panels. This weather-resistant barrier—also called house wrap—is an important part of your home’s defense. This protective layer helps your home to “breathe” while safeguarding it from moisture intrusion. Fiber cement boards are quite heavy because they are so dense and thick, so it takes a team of experienced professionals to fit it according to the manufacturer’s guidelines.
Next, trim will be added and give a finished look to your home.
6. Siding will be painted if it didn’t come with factory paint
Hardie siding comes in two ways: either pre-primed and ready to be painted after being placed (which will add a few days to your installation process), or with factory paint already applied. When paint is put on in a factory setting, you get lasting results that are worth the initial investment. The paint adheres to the siding better than if it was applied after installation. The uniformity of application is unparalleled, and the fade resistance, UV protection, and longevity make it worthwhile—keeping your home looking fabulous for years. It also lasts several years longer than a regular paint job, saving you the time and hassle of repainting for up to 15 years.
7. Your yard will be meticulously cleaned
Your contractor will discard all the debris and old siding, leaving your property looking better than when they arrived. A large magnet will be used to pick up any stray nails in your yard and prevent accidents in the future.
Get Gorgeous Siding Installed by Trusted Professionals
There are two vital ingredients to the long-term high performance of your replacement siding: top siding material, and expert installation. And we can help you with both!
At JD Hostetter & Associates we are proud to be an Elite Preferred James Hardie Contractor, providing durable fiber cement siding to bring out the beauty of your home while protecting it from the elements. 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 were also chosen as a “2023 TOP 500 Remodeler” by the Qualified Remodeler editorial staff—for meeting a set of criteria including:
- Industry association membership
- Total years in business
- Industry certification
- Installed remodeling dollar volume
- Industry awards and community service
Also, we offer an Exterior Home Visualizer Interactive Design Tool, so you can see what the finished product of your project will look like before we begin it. Take a moment to learn more about how our siding services can enhance your home’s beauty and safeguard it from the elements.
