Vinyl siding a DIY job?

[edcantu9]

Hi all. I have two weeks off work coming up. We currently have a split foyer home about 950sq ft and a 500sq ft garage. Not huge.

Was wondering if doing the siding myself would be more than I bargained for? I've done some research does not seem too hard.

What would be the best place to go? HD, Lowes, Menards? Do they help plan out what you need?

Or is the price difference too small between DIY and proffesional?

Just looking for other thoughts on this.

 

[rburke65]

I was an Ian by trade and did an exchange of work with a guy that sided houses. I showed him a little and he showed me a little. I borrowed his break and he showed me how to run a starter strip and showed me how to trim a window. Call if you run into trouble. All in all it went pretty easy. I'm sure there are you tube videos to help you. Good luck.

 

[internetdude]

You can DIY if you have the time, see

 

[Matrazzo]

My fathers friend helped my father and I side our house last year, wasn't too difficult. The only tricky parts were making sure the siding lined up all the way around the house, but after the first few rows on every side it was fairly simple. Best of luck to you

 

[NUTTSGT]

It's not that hard of a job. It's not the siding that gets expensive, it's all the trim and incidentials.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

IMO the most important part is never seen, how the tar paper/tyveck/whatever the newest is applied to prevent water infiltration. If you are handy you can probably do it yourself without f-ing too much up. Prep work and trimming is 80% of the job timewise. A tape measure and chalkline are essential, a level not so much. Use a paper/tyveck cut to 1-2' and paper the corners from top to bottom. Use a level from the fascia board over to the wall and mark 1/2" below the level so that you can see the chalk line when you go to put the soffit trim on. Measure down from that mark to get your starter strip measurement and line chalked. Lots of times the fascia won't be level so doing it this way fools the eye. Do your levels around the whole house to make sure they line up. Apply your starter overlapping the foundation by at least a 1/2", then the paper the walls...remembering to tuck the paper under any paper that has been used around windows etc. Use butyl tape on window flanges and then silicone caulk on the inside when the jays are applied around the windows and light boxes, etc. Dripcap on the top of the window tucked under the paper/tyveck/etc. Use aluminum drip. I measure the corner posts and figure out where the flange will sit. I then chalk a line on the corners top to bottom so that I can see the line and match it to the nailing flange as I nail the post on, this keeps the corners straight. Sorry to bash, but most framers could give a **** about plumb and square. There's more but that will give you a start.

I like the idea posted above about trading skills. That could save some time, especially trimming the J's. Maybe ask for a consult on CL. If I answered an ad such as that I'd charge $65/hr and you'd be far ahead than if you tried by yourself.

Good luck,

Richard

 

[edcantu9]

I like the idea posted above about trading skills. That could save some time, especially trimming the J's. Maybe ask for a consult on CL. If I answered an ad such as that I'd charge $65/hr and you'd be far ahead than if you tried by yourself.

Hey that is a great idea! Under what section would be best to put an ad in craigslist?

I would be asking for a consultant for vinyl siding then?

 

[Boomer343]

I'd suggest getting a couple of estimates and then compare what my costs would be from a retail supplier. Last time I looked into it I couldn't buy the materials for what I got the job quoted supplied and installed.

Follow all the directions about nailing and watch the temperature of the product as well.

Installers can tell a DIY job usually from a long way off.

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

Hey that is a great idea! Under what section would be best to put an ad in craigslist?

I would be asking for a consultant for vinyl siding then?

I don't know that such a consultant exists but a siding contractor may be willing to do it.

Installers can tell a DIY job usually from a long way off.

Soooo true.

You can DIY if you have the time, see

This vid is OK, but...
Inside corners are more expensive than two J's back to back.
MUST tape window flanges to paper/tyveck unless in a desert.
The tools shown are fine but I've done without for thirty years.
As mentioned for the last row, I've used silicone for thirty years and never had a piece come off. Use about 4" every 16" or so...about the length of your hammer is a good guide, same for nailing.
If sill trim is needed, I used the left over top piece that is cut off waste, and slice off the nailing strip from the backside. There is a tool for putting in the nailing slots but I have just laid the homemade "sill" on top of the cut siding and never had a problem, including under windows.

Richard

 

[rick carpenter]

I've done it with people who knew how and with people who didn't. Get quality help, results will be much better.

 

[ddawg16]

I did my garage. (see the link in my signature)

We got a couple of quotes. Excluding my time, I did it for about 1/3 the cost of the quotes.

It's not hard. As noted above, the underlayment and flashing are the most important parts. The vinyl is not what keeps the moisture out of your garage....it just provides a nice 'look' and protects the tar paper underneath.

 

[rsanter]

I've done it and it's not that hard. You can also,do,it in sections over weekends as long as the weather if good (no,rain)
Depending on how much you are buying you can go,to a distributor or check the internet

Bob

 

[Scott H in Wheaton]

I don't know that such a consultant exists but a siding contractor may be willing to do it.



Soooo true.



This vid is OK, but...
Inside corners are more expensive than two J's back to back.
MUST tape window flanges to paper/tyveck unless in a desert.
The tools shown are fine but I've done without for thirty years.
As mentioned for the last row, I've used silicone for thirty years and never had a piece come off. Use about 4" every 16" or so...about the length of your hammer is a good guide, same for nailing.
If sill trim is needed, I used the left over top piece that is cut off waste, and slice off the nailing strip from the backside. There is a tool for putting in the nailing slots but I have just laid the homemade "sill" on top of the cut siding and never had a problem, including under windows.

Richard

OP, please do not follow any of this advice. Its exactly what we warn our customers to avoid.

 

[dlcwent]

I've always been a "jack of all trades", done a lot of remodeling and such. But I have found over the years that, do what you do and let the pros do what they do. The end result is usually better. JMO

 

[bczygan]

Pay attention to which direction you lap the joints, it matters.

But first, why do you feel the need for vinyl?

What is your existing siding material?

And consider a siding with insulation under it for more R-value.

 

[shopnut]

I don't do it professionally or anything, but I find it really easy to work with. I did the entire second story interior and ceiling with vinyl material by myself.

In my case, I used T-4 soffit panels, but regular siding is not much different to deal with. Of course, I didn't necessarily need to worry too much about making it weather tight

 

[alwaysFlOoReD]

OP, please do not follow any of this advice. Its exactly what we warn our customers to avoid.

You have better advice? post it up!

 

[Jd34]

I've done a lot of vinyl jobs. Very easy to do. All you need is a squar, pencil, snips, tape measure , hammer and a metal break ( which you can rent).

Not a big fan of tyvek or tar paper but like using blackboard insulation instead. It keeps the vinyl quite during high winds and storms. I can't stand to hear vinyl slapping against the wall. No water or moisture gets past the vinyl if everything is done properly.

Good luck to the OP.

 

[hoho98925]

Vinyl is very easy to install. Watch some videos and just do it.

 

[edcantu9]

I've done a lot of vinyl jobs. Very easy to do. All you need is a squar, pencil, snips, tape measure , hammer and a metal break ( which you can rent).

Not a big fan of tyvek or tar paper but like using blackboard insulation instead. It keeps the vinyl quite during high winds and storms. I can't stand to hear vinyl slapping against the wall. No water or moisture gets past the vinyl if everything is done properly.

Good luck to the OP.

Hi I am planning to do vinyl siding myself. I noticed you mentioned renting a metal break. I know its used for windows but what exactly I have tried googling and youtube but cannot find anything. Could you please explain further? Thank you for your time!

 

[rslaback]

I'm not going to tell you not to do it yourself as it can be done. That said there is way more to it and tips and tricks than I'm going post in a forum topic. It would take too long.

Read into that whatever you like.

 

[bczygan]

I'm not going to tell you not to do it yourself as it can be done. That said there is way more to it and tips and tricks than I'm going post in a forum topic. It would take too long.

Read into that whatever you like.

We help each other out on this forum. That's what makes this place tick.

Why don't you take some time (When you have a few minutes) and list a few of the more important things for a newbie to look out for.

I know it will help innumerable people, just like some threads on here have likely helped you.

Bill

 

[Commendatore]

+1 to that

 

[edcantu9]

I'm not going to tell you not to do it yourself as it can be done. That said there is way more to it and tips and tricks than I'm going post in a forum topic. It would take too long.

Read into that whatever you like.

O ok. Thanks for your advice. Very helpful. I thought I knew all the tips and tricks. Read into that whatever you want.

 

[James-W]

How tall is the building? You may need to rent scaffolding if it is rather tall. You can do the job from ladders if you want to, but ladders make it much more difficult and a whole lot more work because you are going up and down on the ladders a lot.

I had intended on siding my garage myself with the aid of a couple buddies. But it was very hot and my buddies weren't really all that excited about doing the job with me. In the end I ended up hiring it done. Yes, it cost more money that way, but I didn't lose any friendships over it. I had lots of food on hand, lots of cold bottled water and sodas for the guys while they worked, and I had plenty of cold beer for when they got done. They did a great job and they were done in record time.

 

[pcmeiners]

Water level...
There is no way you can go around a house and keep a level line with a regular level, use a water level.

 

[wornoutoldman]

Hey that is a great idea! Under what section would be best to put an ad in craigslist?

I would be asking for a consultant for vinyl siding then?

"men seeking men"