Input needed from Siding Guys

[bucs012]

We are looking at having our 2,000 square foot ranch home resided. It was built in 1983 and has that crappy masonite wood siding that rots very easily. The previous owners of the house (we bought the house last September) has replaced the bad boards so the masonite is in pretty good shape now. We just don't want to have to paint every 5 years or so here in Iowa.

We have always had vinyl siding on our houses and like it! I had a sider come over last week and quote it and he is suggesting REMOVING all the old siding and wrap the house with Tyvek then put the new vinyl siding on. Said it will look much better. Something about the windows/doors will look better matched up with the siding and not be sunk in compared to the siding?????

Thoughts on removing the old siding when it is in pretty good shape? I have never see this done................Also, wouldn't we lose some insulating value by removing the old siding and not having that layer there?

 

[Donn]

Not a "PRO" here, but have done it many times, always a better looking job if you strip the old off first, then house wrap, then thin foam under the new siding. Much like reroofing the house - most often better to strip it , then reshingle. Plus you could save yourself some $ and remove/demo the old siding and save the good stuff for a shed or Craigs list it for someone else to use for a shed.

 

[dipper]

Removing the siding is the best way to do it. It is more work, but will turn out better in the long run. The layer of tyvek will help with wind and air infiltration. Now might be a good time to replace any windows that need it as well.

 

[rieferman]

hey bucs, out of curiosity, what did the quote come to approximately? I'm doing siding research right now and would be interested to know

 

[dipper]

hey bucs, out of curiosity, what did the quote come to approximately? I'm doing siding research right now and would be interested to know

Vinyl siding work can get expensive, and it's not really that hard to do. I had a few quotes to do my 20x22 garage, labor only, in the $2000 range. I ended doing it myself and having fun to boot.

 

[rieferman]

Alright, I can top that...

Get this... For about 15 squares of material.. with install and gutters too...

power window and siding quoted me $30,000. BUT, if "you sign right now!" he would knock it down to $20,000. Freaking hilarious. How many people get swindled? Too many.

 

[bucs012]

As of now, I have had one bidder who is a friend of a friend of mine and is in the business. He quoted me $10,200 for 2,000 square feet, to remove original siding, wrap tyvek and new vinly siding and wrapping windows doors etc. Also replacing the TOP of our front deck with new treated lumber. The deck is only about 10x8. Will of course remove all gutters and downspouts and hall everything away.

I think the price sounds very reasonable and will be hard to top.

 

[Mickey O]

If you're planning on staying in that house for a while I'd probably remove the old siding and wrap the house, might be a good time to address any insulation deficiencies as well. The new siding will look better with the old stuff removed because the channels won't stand proud of the windows and doors. Just make sure they do a good job flashing around the windows and doors that's where vinyl siding is bad if not flashed properly. Also a good time to install the proper pieces for thing coming out of the walls like water spigots, outlets, meter box, etc., so the siding can expand/contract properly.

 

[mikester]

I think the price sounds decent for the size of the home. I had a guy side my 22x30 garage and put in a new man door that I bought and it was $3800. And that was 3 years ago. New gutters were included and he took all the **** away. I had installed 2 new Pella windows and he was siding over T111. He wrapped the place in Tyvek and he was done in less than 8 hours.

 

[weicm3]

is replacing the siding a DIY job? I want to replace my old sidings(about 20-30 years) with composite siding and adding foam behind it. I've read some online references and it seems to be not so difficult job. but I'm a one man team here. is it something that you can take your time on it? for example, doing one wall per week?

and for some fixtures on the exterior wall(power line, cable lines, gas vent ...etc), do I have to call pro in to temporarily remove those? another concern of mine would be the height. looks like I'll need some scaffolding to do it. where can I buy one or rent one for extended period of time.

OP sorry for hijacking this.

 

[holland_patrick]

I had my siding replaced two years ago and it was the best thing i could have done.. I also took the time to replace my windows. Not with stinky replacement window but with anderson new construction windows.. they look great and function perfect and too boot they let soo much more light in... and we save a ton on energy...

 

[metal1313]

i havent done much vinyl work, save for repairs, but have done some wood and shake siding jobs. its not hard work, and you can get into a rythm and move fast. but it is easier to def have a helper, mostly to hold the other end of long pieces. i like doing shakes the most. all you really need is another person to help raise a ledger board to hold the shakes level and set the reveal. i used a nailer with stainless nails to side a shed for a neighbor, and it took a few days, including all the other trim work and that sorta thing. there are some people who wont nail with a gun, and others who dont care. i used stainless finish nails and there hasn't been an issue in a few years.

that said i hate seeing crews use nail guns to install vinyl siding. the fasteners, nails or screws need to be a little loose to allow for expansion, if they are over tight the top edge cant expand with temp changes, and the bottom does. thats ususally the cause of buckled siding.

personally i hate vinyl, for me its wood, shakes, or cementicious siding like hardi board. sorta the same about roofs, i wont ever put standard 3 tab shingles on my house, its either real or composite slate, or metal

 

[Gary S]

Putting on siding is a very easy job, but you need two people. My Wife and I did my garage which is 1150 sq ft. It took us probably 20 hours with the two of us working to do it. My siding came in 12 foot pieces so one person can't handle them and properly line them up. It takes one person at each end to fit them. I put on vinyl because it cheap. It isn't durable, so when the hail kills it, I'll put on steel the next time so it lasts.

 

[ddawg16]

I did vinyl on the upper floor of my garage....not hard....a lot of little details you need to be aware.

I have to agree with pulling off the old stuff for all the reasons noted...AND...it gives the termites a little less food to munch on....plus it allows to inspect what is behind the wood...

Last thing...with vinyl...if you don't have a smooth surface to attach it to...it will show up on the siding....

 

[mikester]

Putting it up isnt hard. Center the nails in the slots, dont drive them in all the way, and start from the back so when you overlap the next piece the joint isnt that noticeable from the front. The important thing is to make it level all around the building on the first course. Capping the trim is the hard part. Ive seen guys really butcher the aluminum because they dont know how to use the brake.

 

[Vethead]

Thoughts on removing the old siding when it is in pretty good shape? I have never see this done................Also, wouldn't we lose some insulating value by removing the old siding and not having that layer there?

Although more expensive, there are vinyl sidings that have an insulation layer added to the back of the vinyl itself. Just my $.02 I will concur with others that siding is not that difficult, and much easier with a helper for the longer pieces. Tackle one wall at a time and complete it before moving on to the next.

 

[mdoolittle]

I can't remember what siding my 24x48 was but, I do remember price shopping. We have a large distributor of building products locally, and I was able to get some very high quality siding for the price of that paper thin cheap stuff at the big box stores.

Shop around you may be surprised where the best price and the best product may come from. This is what I chose.......
http://www.heartlandsiding.com/product.php?productID=6&bookmark=product

I hung this siding with my contractor. I had NO siding experience before and was kinda fun doing it. I learned some tricks, got a professional finish, and saved some money by being the "hired guy".