Should you remove old siding before installing vinyl siding?
The short answer is that removing old siding is almost always a better idea. Some homeowners may also worry they need to remove the siding themselves before the siding replacement installation, but with Weather Tight, that's not the case.
Unlike wood, it is resistant to rot, insects, and never needs to be repainted. Vinyl is an ideal option for homes in areas that experience unpleasantly cold or wet climate. It is possible to install vinyl siding over an existing siding as long as the siding below is fastened tightly and is still in good condition.
- Step 1: Examine the Wood for Damages. ...
- Step 2: Install Furring and Foam to Smoothen the Surface. ...
- Step 3: Set Up a Moisture Barrier. ...
- Step 4: Adjust Door and Window Frames. ...
- Step 5: Install the Foundational Strips. ...
- Step 6: Install the Rest of the Vinyl Siding.
In new construction, it typically is installed over wood wall sheathing wrapped with rigid foam insulation and a moisture barrier. On existing houses, old vinyl or metal siding must be removed, but vinyl can be installed over old wood siding without removing it.
- Nailing the vinyl siding on too tightly.
- Leaving too much space between fasteners.
- Too much overlap in panels.
- Creating visible seams.
- Skimping on flashing.
The short answer is that removing old siding is almost always a better idea. Some homeowners may also worry they need to remove the siding themselves before the siding replacement installation, but with Weather Tight, that's not the case.
How to Remove and Replace a Section of Vinyl Siding - YouTube
Vinyl siding can be installed over common wood sheathings such as plywood, oriented strand board (OSB), or other materials (e.g., foam plastic insulating sheathing). The thickness of wood sheathing counts toward the total thickness that the fasteners must penetrate into nailable material, usually 1 1/4” (32mm).
There is no logical reason not to have house wrap under vinyl siding, and many authorities strongly agree that it should be viewed as mandatory, even if your local building codes don't necessarily require it. Vinyl siding is one of, if not the most popular exterior cladding for residential homes.
Generally, homeowners can expect to pay between $2.15 and $5.25 per square foot for the labor to install vinyl siding with an average cost of $3.70 per square foot. This will vary considerably depending on where the home is located and the season.
Does vinyl siding lower home value?
Vinyl siding helps increase a home's value by adding a fresh appearance, durability, low maintenance and energy efficiency. According to the 2019 Home Remodeling Impact Report, a vinyl siding upgrade will increase a home's value by 63 percent of the project's cost.
According to the best practices manual from James Hardie, existing siding can be used as a substrate as long as it is in good condition, meaning that it is not warped, bowed, curling, delaminated, or rotting. This is the main task to tackle to make sure that there are no preexisting issues on the home.

With an average lifespan of 40 years, vinyl siding is inexpensive, highly durable, and less affected by insects. It also comes in at a lower price point. On average, vinyl's installation cost is around $2 a square foot, compared to $7 a square foot for wood.
Vinyl Siding - J channel Options - YouTube
Space nails a maximum of 16 inches apart for horizontal siding panels, every 12 inches for vertical siding panels, and 6 to 12 inches for accessories. (See individual manufacturer's instructions for fastening specific accessories and for recommended spacing.)
Compared to other sidings, vinyl is one of the easiest to install. It cuts easily, can be put up quickly, and requires no painting. Though the installation process is simple, prepping for the job requires more effort. Our expert guide gives you all the info you need to install vinyl siding on your home.
The average national cost for vinyl siding installation is $9,324, with most homeowners paying between $4,999 and $16,836 or between $2.50 to $10.75 per square foot. Your total vinyl siding cost will vary depending on the quality of the siding, how much vinyl siding you need, and its style.
Vinyl siding is a common choice for home cladding, and it lasts much longer than you would expect. With no effort or cleaning, your vinyl will last about 60 years max but with meticulous care and maintenance (hand-washing every year), the lifespan can be extended up to 100 years!
The most common practice when installing vinyl siding over existing wood shingles or clapboard is to first put up rigid foam or fan fold. These products are designed primarily to pad imperfections on the walls so the new layer of siding will lay flatter.
How To Replace A Piece Of Vinyl Siding Mid-Wall (Without ... - YouTube
How do you know when to replace siding?
- Cracked, Warped or rotting siding. ...
- Blisters or bubbles on your siding. ...
- Fungus, mold or mildew on your siding. ...
- Severly faded siding. ...
- Siding in need of frequent painting. ...
- Higher energy bills. ...
- Paint peeling inside your home.
Luckily, the cost to remove vinyl siding is cheaper than removing asbestos siding. Expect to pay between $0.25 and $1 per square foot for removal. Contractors may also charge a labor and disposal fee of $50 to $250. All in all, removing vinyl siding is quite affordable, at just $800 to $3,000 for removal and labor.
- Remove all shutters, downspouts, and fixtures. On older homes, replace any rotten wood and securely nail all loose boards, siding, and wood trim. ...
- Don't forget flashing. ...
- Install furring. ...
- Apply Housewrap. ...
- Don't forget insulation. ...
- Lay the groundwork.
Vinyl siding has become more durable as technology has progressed, but may still experience cracking over time. Strong impacts, improper installation, and excessive exposure to sunlight can lead to cracking. If left unrepaired, these cracks can allow moisture to leak through and cause water damage.
Even the United States Department of Energy (DOE) agrees that “when new siding is to be installed, it is a good idea to consider adding insulation under new siding.”
1/2" Polystyrine Foam Board Insulation
This is most common with vinyl siding. The foam board is nailed in place with washer head nails and should be taped at the seams to prevent air movement. The typical R-value of this product is R-2.5 to R-3.5 depending on the density of the foam board.
Properly installed it helps keep drafts out and protects your insulation's rated R-value. And, just like air gets in, so can water and moisture. DuPont Tyvek HomeWrap gives you the added benefit of helping to protect your walls from water and moisture.
The wood that goes under residential siding – exterior sheathing – performs several functions. It adds insulation, waterproofing and structural support for the framing. It also provides a surface on which to nail the siding. The most common sheathing materials include oriented strand board and plywood.
CertainTeed Vinyl siding costs
CertainTeed vinyl siding runs between $1,200 and $1,400 per 100 square feet for materials and labor. For a 1,500 square foot home, the costs to replace your siding can range from $18,000 to $21,000.
Vinyl siding installation on a 2,000-square-foot house with a plain, rectangular shape and no eaves or turrets will run you about $10,000. If your house does have bends and curves, budget an extra $500.
How much siding do I need for a 2000 sq ft house?
Vinyl siding is sold by the square, which is equivalent to 100 square feet of material. So, if the square footage of your house is 2,000 square feet, you want to divide that number by 100. The answer would tell you that for a 2,000 square foot house you need approximately 20 squares of vinyl.
Drawbacks include being easily dented, the difficulty of replacing individual panels, color fading and potential cracking in extremely cold weather. All of these factors must be weighed carefully against the pros and cons of other types of siding when making a decision as important as installing new siding on a home.
Neutral Siding Colors Are The Best For Resale Values
Neutral colors are by far the best for resale value because they appeal to the broadest group of potential buyers.
One of the primary factors comes down to the area where you live. However, Angie's List estimates that the cost of painting old siding is between $99 and $242 per 300 square feet. When you compare this to the cost of vinyl siding replacement, it can be as much as 60% less to paint your siding.
What Are Furring Strips? Usually made from plywood or metal, furring strips are long, narrow pieces of material that are installed intermittently as part of the exterior to create essential space and airflow within the wall.
Every house is different, but a typical tear-off and siding installation project may take between 7 to 14 days. There are many things that can extend the time such as the size of your house, whether you're using prefinished siding or if it needs to be painted, and unexpected repairs.
That's an important first step as vinyl siding should never be installed over the Masonite. Some vinyl siding replacement companies will simply attach the new vinyl to the old Masonite siding, which can cause issues in the future. It's actually extremely critical to remove the old Masonite from the exterior.
Vinyl siding is a popular choice when it comes to your home's cladding and actually lasts much longer than expected. With no effort or cleaning, it's expected to last you about 60 years but with meticulous care and maintenance, you can expect your vinyl siding to last up to 100 years.
According to Remodeling Magazine's 2018 Cost vs. Value Report, replacing siding increases home value by 76.7% of the project cost; for a mid-sized project valued at $15,072, you can recoup $11,554.
The costs listed above are the national averages for siding a typical 1,500- to 2,500-square-foot home. The average homeowner will spend $10,693 for house siding, with most homeowners spending between $5,630 and $17,388 or between $2.33 and $15.33 per square foot.
Do you start siding from top or bottom?
Use the Wider Starter Strip
The bottom of the starter strip (the part the bottom panel hooks on to) should be at least 1 in. below the top of the foundation, but the lower the vinyl siding is installed, the better. It protects the sheathing from rain, snow and pests.
In a remodeling situation, caulking should be placed between the house wrap the the new aluminum window wrappings. Caulking can be placed behind the J-Channel during installation, sealing the seam between the J-Channel and the house wrap, also sealing the seam between the J-Channel and the window itself.
For the window, first position the J-channel against the window casing. Nail it to the wall, but remember not to nail it tightly. Leave at least one-sixteenth of an inch between the nail head and the vinyl to allow for expansion and contraction and to prevent dimpling.
LP SmartSide siding and trim may be installed over pre-existing wood or wood composite siding if the pre-existing siding does not affect the ability to correctly install LP SmartSide siding as detailed in LP SmartSide application instructions.
It is generally acceptable to put vinyl over the siding. I have inspected several homes with vinyl installed over old wood siding and Masonite siding and have found no installation-related problems.
Vinyl siding, indeed, can go over asbestos.
Vinyl siding cost is $2 to $12 per square foot installed (or $3,000 to $18,000 for a 1,500 square foot home). Aluminum siding with a vinyl finish costs $4 to $9 per square foot ($6,000 to $13,500).