As a vinyl siding manufacturer, we recommend proper surface preparation as an important part of your vinyl siding installation. If you want your exterior home makeover, to look sharp, and your new vinyl siding to be clean and straight, all exterior wall surfaces must be even.

6 Tips to Prepare your House for Vinyl Siding Installation

1. Remove all shutters, downspouts, and fixtures

On older homes, replace any rotten wood and securely nail all loose boards, siding, and wood trim. Tie back all shrubbery and trees when plantings are close to the house, and remove any old caulking around windows and doors.

2. Don’t forget flashing

Use aluminum trim coil or other material that will not absorb water. Apply flashing below, on the sides of, and above (in that order) any openings where water might penetrate. This will help in directing water away from the opening.

3. Install furring

Furring or strapping must be applied to create an even base for siding. Apply 1” x 3” (minimum size) wood furring, not more than 16” on centers. Shim low spots to create an even surface. For horizontal siding, install furring vertically. For vertical siding, install furring horizontally. Place furring along all sides of door and window frames, corners, and top and bottom of areas to be sided. As an alternative, solid sheathing can be applied directly over the old surface to create a smooth base, or over furring to provide even support for the vinyl siding.

4. Apply Housewrap

If required by building codes, apply a weather-resistant barrier over the sheathing. We recommend an approved breather-type code housewrap.

5. Don’t forget insulation

The ideal time to increase the insulation value of your sidewall is before installing siding. Simply install insulating sheathing over existing siding, over or between the furring strips.

6. Lay the groundwork

Determine a starting point for your siding- it should be the lowest point on the wall. Measure at corners, and pull a chalk line across the wall to ensure a level starting position. Plump corners, and shim if necessary, to ensure they are vertical.

Tools like Kaycan’s vinyl siding calculator can be used to estimate siding requirements. If you’d like more information on how to prep your home for vinyl siding installation, download our complete installation guide.