Five Reasons Why You Shouldn’t Attempt a DIY Siding Installation
Every year, Remodeling magazine compiles a list of the home improvement projects that offer the highest return on investment. Not surprising to us in the industry, siding installation landed in the top five home improvements that retain their value at time of resale. However, this considers that the project was properly executed. While there are a handful of homeowners that can install their own siding, many that attempt this type of DIY project end up calling a professional to complete the project or fix their mistakes. Here are our top reasons a homeowner should entrust this type of a job to a reputable contractor.
1. How Long It Takes To Side A House
A DIY siding replacement project isn’t something that can be completed in a weekend. In fact, it can even take professionals several weeks depending on material, weather, and size of the home. If you’re working a full-time job, odds are the time it takes to install new house siding isn’t something you have. Bear in mind, it’s extremely difficult for an amateur to install long runs of siding on their own.
2. Installing Siding Is Difficult & Requires Significant Skill
Siding that wards off air and water infiltration takes meticulous craftsmanship. While straight runs are fairly elementary, working around gutters, soffits, fascia, and windows take substantial experience. Botch this part of the project and wood rot becomes imminent. In addition, once the home’s siding material has been removed, it’s common to find damage that wasn’t previously evident. Top-tier siding contractors tend to have long lead times and are going to be reluctant to fix these issues at the drop of a hat. If siding is not installed to the manufacturer’s exact specifications, they are not legally obligated to honor your warranty claim if the siding fails prematurely.
3. Siding Tools Needed
Very few homeowners already own the necessary arsenal of tools needed to install siding. Commonly used tools include scaffolding, tin snips, power drill, level, measuring square, etc. The list grows even longer if the siding material is James Hardie®. This type of siding can only be cut with a special saw. Because it contains silica and fly ash, hazmat suits must be worn during the cutting process to maintain the installer’s safety.
4. Material Price
Reputable siding contractors have well-established relationships with the industry’s premier manufacturers. They also purchase siding in large quantities, allowing for even further discounts that aren’t available to homeowners completing a once-in-a-lifetime project.
Go Behind the Scenes on Twin Cities Seamless Steel Siding Installation:
5. Understanding Expansion & Contraction
Here in the Twin Cities, we experience an extreme difference in temperatures throughout the seasons. This means that siding shrinks in the winter months and expands during the summer months. This makes it imperative that the correct amount of siding spacing is used during installation. Bear in mind that the proper levels can vary by material used.
