Siding

Siding is your home's first line of defense against the elements.

As such, it is important that siding be installed properly. The most important aspect of installing siding is the details. The same siding installed by two different carpenters might look the same from the outside after completion, but the work will hold up differently over the years because of the little details.

For example, end cuts should be primed. Did you know that even cement board siding needs to be primed at the cuts before it is installed? If you don't see a can of primer out during installation, you should be concerned. Priming is often overlooked because it is time consuming. Failure to prime end cuts can void warranties, lead to siding degradation, and cause the paint to fail. You can trust that the siding I install will be installed in the best possible way.

All fasteners should be made of stainless steel.

In most siding products, anything less than stainless steel tends to bleed, rust, or disintegrate over time. Although galvanized steel may be acceptable in a few cases, I will never use subgrade fasteners to win a bid or to put more money in my pocket.

I use rainscreens whenever possible.

A rainscreen provides a small airspace behind the siding, allowing it to dry out. All siding will get wet from rain, and some moisture will always get behind the siding. Providing an airspace allows your siding to dry, which in turn keeps the paint from peeling and prevents moisture from entering the building structure. Virtually every siding manufacturer recommends the use of a rainscreen with their products.

I use flashings for all exterior openings.

This means that I will install flashing around all windows and doors. I overlap pieces of flashing much like shingles on a roof so that a bead of water traveling down the side of your house always moves to the exterior and reaches the ground without penetrating the siding or building wrap. I also like to add a piece of hidden flashing between butt boards, adding extra insurance should the caulking ever fail.

Wood, vinyl, and cement board siding all require different installation methods. I am also proficient with PVC and composite exterior trim work. If you need repair or installation of these types of siding, and you want the job done right, please contact me today.