Can I Install Vinyl Siding Over My Existing Siding?
If your home’s exterior is looking a bit worn or outdated, you may be considering giving it a fresh new look with vinyl siding. Vinyl siding is a popular choice because it’s low-maintenance, durable, and comes in many colors and styles. But can you install vinyl siding right over your existing siding? The answer is… it depends!
The Pros of Installing Vinyl Siding Over Existing Siding
There are some advantages to installing vinyl siding over your current siding rather than removing it first:
Faster Installation Since the old siding doesn’t need to be stripped off, your vinyl siding installation services can be completed more quickly. This also means less labor costs for you.
Saves on Disposal Fees Taking off old siding creates a lot of construction waste that needs to be hauled away and disposed of properly. Installing vinyl siding over the top avoids those disposal fees.
Helps Insulate Your Home Layering the new vinyl siding over the old can create an extra barrier against air infiltration, potentially improving your home’s energy efficiency.
When Is It Okay to Install Vinyl Siding Over Existing Siding?
While installing vinyl siding over your current siding has some benefits, it’s not always possible or advisable to do so. There are some key requirements for when it makes sense:
The Existing Siding Is in Good Condition If your current siding is rotting, has holes, or is very loose, it needs to be removed first. Vinyl siding installed over damaged siding won’t lay flat and smooth. The existing siding must be securely fastened and defect-free first.
You Are Installing Over Wood Siding In most cases, you can install vinyl siding over intact wood siding, wood shingles or shakes, or even plywood sheeting as long as it’s secure and flat. Since wood siding can breathe, no moisture should get trapped behind the vinyl.
There Is Proper Flashing and Trim All doors, windows, corners, and other areas need to have adequate flashing and trim first. This allows the vinyl siding to fit securely around these openings.
Your Home Meets Maximum Wall Thickness Rules Most building codes specify a maximum thickness for the total wall assembly after vinyl siding installation services. Adding vinyl over existing siding may push you over that limit.
When Removing Old Siding Is Required
First In some situations, your home’s condition or local building codes mean you’ll need full siding replacement services that include removing the old exterior materials first. These scenarios include:
Installing Over Masonry or Brick Siding It’s generally not recommended to install vinyl directly over masonry materials like brick or stucco. The surfaces are not flat enough for the vinyl to lay correctly.
Rotted Wood or Seriously Damaged Siding If the original wood siding is rotted, excessively cracked, or has sections missing, it should be completely removed and replaced with new moisture-resistant sheathing before installing vinyl.
Water or Moisture Problems If there are pre-existing water or moisture issues and concerns about trapped moisture behind the new vinyl, stripping off the old siding is advisable. A weatherproof barrier should then go up first before the vinyl installation.
Old Siding Is Too Thick Already If your home already has multiple layers of old siding, adding new vinyl may exceed maximum wall thickness codes. The old materials will need to come off first.
Your local siding and exterior home experts at TJR Construction can assess your home’s specific conditions and let you know if removing the old siding is required for proper vinyl siding installation services.
What to Expect with Vinyl Siding Installation Services
If your home qualifies to have vinyl siding installed directly over the existing siding, here are the typical steps involved:
- Inspection and Preparation Our crew will inspect the current condition of your home’s exterior. Any necessary prep work like replacing loose boards or adding trim or flashing will take place first.
- Removing Obstacles Existing shutters, downspouts, and other obstacles around doors, windows, and corners will be temporarily removed to allow room for the new vinyl siding installation.
- Securing Insulation Board In some cases, rigid foam insulation boards are installed first before the vinyl. This provides extra thermal protection and creates a smooth, flat surface for the vinyl siding.
- Measuring and Cutting The vinyl siding panels will be precisely measured and cut to fit each area of your home’s exterior dimensions. Our pros use special cutting tools to get clean, smooth edges.
- Nailing or Hanging The vinyl siding pieces are then secured starting from the bottom and working upwards. For horizontal siding, the panels interlock together. For vertical applications, the siding is hung and nailed into the exterior walls.
- Trimming After the main siding is installed, coordinated vinyl trim pieces will be cut and secured around windows, doors, corners, and edges for a polished finished look.
- Cleanup After the job is complete, our crew will clean up and haul away any debris or scraps. We’ll also reinstall any detached fixtures like shutters and downspouts at this time.
- Final Walk-Through We always conduct a final walk-through with you to inspect the completed vinyl siding installation services and ensure everything looks great!
Advantages of New Vinyl Siding for Your Orlando Home
Installing new vinyl siding on your home’s exterior offers many terrific benefits for homeowners in the hot, humid Florida climate:
Durability Unlike wood siding that can rot, warp, and attract termites, vinyl is moisture and insect-resistant. It holds up very well to our rainy weather and won’t rot or split over time. Modern vinyl siding is made to last!
Easy Maintenance With vinyl siding, you never have to paint or caulk. An occasional rinse with a garden hose is usually all the cleaning it needs! No scraping, staining, or repainting is required to keep it looking beautiful for decades.
Style Versatility Vinyl siding comes in a wide array of colors, textures (woodgrain, shingles, shakes, and more), and styles, so you can create the perfect exterior look for your home. Options like insulated siding are available too.
Enhanced Curb Appeal New fresh siding instantly revives your home’s appearance and boosts curb appeal. Quality vinyl siding can help increase your property value!
Wind Resistance Unlike aluminum, vinyl siding is very wind-resistant and can withstand high wind speeds and impact from windblown debris. It’s a smart option for our hurricane-prone region.
Energy Efficient Today’s insulated vinyl siding products help insulate your home’s exterior walls for improved energy efficiency and lower utility costs.
TJR’s Vinyl Siding Services At TJR Construction, we offer a complete range of expert vinyl siding services to Orlando area homeowners, including:
- Vinyl siding installation services
- Vinyl siding repair services
- House siding services (installation & repairs)
- Siding replacement services
- Siding services
Our siding professionals have the specialized training and years of experience to deliver flawless vinyl siding installations that look beautiful and perform optimally. We source quality vinyl siding products and stand behind our work with comprehensive labor and manufacturer warranties.
Whether you need full vinyl siding installation, partial siding replacement, or repairs to damaged areas, our team has the skills to get the job done right the first time. We’ll help you choose the perfect siding color, style, and accessories to transform your home’s curb appeal.
Get a Free Quote for Your Vinyl Siding Needs! Is your home’s exterior looking dated, damaged, or just not living up to its potential? Let TJR give new life to your property with our professional vinyl siding services! We offer free, no-obligation estimates and consultations. Our knowledgeable staff can assess your home’s unique requirements and provide an affordable solution tailored to your needs and budget.
