Aluminum siding is a good choice for any home. It requires minimal maintenance and increases your home’s curb appeal. Installation of aluminum siding is not an easy task but you can do it if you are a handy homeowner and have someone to help you.
However, for a perfect installation, make sure you will follow all the manufacturer instructions.
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Steps to Take:
1. Prepare the area:
Remove the entire old siding and clean thoroughly the area. You should also hammer any nail; remove the old caulking and paint and fill any cavity. Make sure you have a smooth, flat surface.
2. Install the underlayment:
Foam board panels are the best underlayment for aluminum siding. Nail the foam board panels and make sure you do not let any gaps between panels.
3. Add the corner posts:
Before siding, you should install the corner posts. Install the posts at every corner of the house. Nail each of them with two nails. If you are using more than one post, you should overlap them (1 inch or 2.54cm).
4. Install the footer and the F-channel trim:
Place the footer (which is a trim piece) at the bottom of the walls and a piece of F-channel trim under the eaves.
5. Caulk around openings:
Caulking around any windows and doors will air seal these openings.
6. Install the J-channel trim:
Measure and install the window and door trim. Make sure the piece of trim is two channels longer than opening length.
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7. Install the trim around openings:
Start with the bottom of the window, go around with the sides, and finish with the top of the window. In this way, you prevent any water infiltration.
8. Start siding:
For siding use aluminum roofing nails (1 ½ inch or 3.81 cm). Start placing the first aluminum siding into the footer. Continue crescendo, interlocking the bottom of each piece with the top of the previous one until the wall is completed covered. When you need more than one piece of siding to complete a row, make sure you overlap them by 1 inch (2.54 cm). Use a circular saw to cut the pieces, which are too long. Use gutter-seal adhesive in the windowsills and soffit areas.
9. Top panels:
If the siding piece is wider than the remaining space, cut from the top and slide the siding sheet under the eave trim.