If your home's exterior is looking ragged, you may have decided it is time to replace the current siding. Because of its durability and many color options, you may have already settled on installing vinyl siding.
Because you like to do your own home improvement projects and would like to try to save money, you may be thinking about doing the installation of the siding yourself. However, there are a couple of reasons why you should instead hire a professional to install your home's new vinyl siding for you.
1. Experience Is Needed to Know How Tight the Siding Should Be Attached to the Underlayment
One reason why installing vinyl siding is not a do-it-yourself home improvement project is that the job requires extensive experience to know how tight the siding should be attached to the underlayment. While securing the slats tightly will help to keep them from falling off, they need to have some room for movement to keep them from cracking and breaking.
Although the vinyl is durable and resistant to damage, it does tend to expand and contract under the heat of the sun and when subjected to rapid temperature changes. If the slats are attached too tight, they will not be able to freely expand and contract, which will place them under pressure. A professional knows how to attach the siding to allow it some freedom of movement to help prevent damage from this pressure.
2. Skill Is Required to Properly Measure, Cut, and Place the Trim Pieces Around Openings and Corners
Another reason why you should have a professional install your home's new vinyl siding is that they have the skills required to properly measure, cut, and place the trim pieces. These pieces are the ones that are found around the doors, windows, and other openings of your house. They are also located along the corners.
These trim pieces not only give the siding's appearance a finishing touch, but they also help keep water from flowing underneath the siding. If not prepared and installed correctly by a professional, they will not keep the water out and are more likely to fall off during inclement weather.
Installing vinyl siding on your house is not a project you should do yourself. Professional experience is needed to ensure that the siding is tight enough against the underlayment to not fall but loose enough to allow for expansion. Skill is also needed to accurately measure, cut, and place the trim pieces around the openings of your house and the corners. For more information, contact a contractor in your area who offers vinyl siding installation services.
