How to install vinyl siding properly?

Question

I am installing vinyl siding. I installed the fan fold installation first and then taped all seams. Well, my question is when nailing the siding on do i need to allow more space from the nail head. SInce i am not installing over solid wood i have more "play" with the installation. I have read that the siding is supposed to slide back and forth loosely. Well, It seems that my siding doesn't slide as easily> i barely have it nailed on. Also, when i reached the top I wasn't level with the fascia. However, my siding was level. I think i had a bow in the middle. SHould I have snapped chalklines half way up the wall? Just currious

Answer 1

One nail in the center can be snug, but don't nail the others snug, Nail them in the center of the slot loosely. Vinal expands and contracts and will get wavey if nailed tight. Tip: The sides of the house viewed from the street, start from the back and work towards the street. The joints wont show fron the street this way. As far as having it even with the soffit, if you measure from your work to the soffit as you go, you can '' cheat it up and down a little at a time each row. As for what you have up now being off, just remove a few rows, set them in order on the ground and cheat them as you put them back up 1/4 to 1/2 '' a row , figure how many rows you need to cheat and remove accordingly Good luck

Answer 2

The siding should slide back and forth.  The amount of force needed to slide it depends upon the manufacturer, some lock together a bit tighter and are harder to move.  The nail heads should not be tight against the nailing fin.

I wonder if you used nails that were too short.  You are going through fanfold (1/4")  and old siding (at least 1/2").  You need to allow a bit for the nailing flange, nailing loose (1/8").  This takes up at least 7/8".  The nail should penetrate the sheathing, or if there isn't any sheathing penetrate at least an 1 1/4" into the studs.  Your nails should be at least 1 1/2" long, longer for thicker siding or if you don't have any sheathing under the old siding.  If the nails are too short, the siding will sag or blow of over time.

With an older house, it would be no surprise if the roof line/fascia is not level.  That is one of the issues that has to be dealt with when installing vinyl on an older home.  If it is a small variation, you might be able to adjust the siding to compensate by letting the lock hang a bit loose in places - no more than 1/16" in a run.  If it is a large variation, better to just let the top of the siding be uneven.

A chalk line every few runs can be helpful in keeping the siding straight and level, especially on your first try.  If the unevenness is due to your siding not being straight, you may want to check that all of the locks are properly engaged.  If it is locked together well, it should not cause problems.  If you missed some locks, however, you should take it back down and try again.