Installing wood siding vapor barrier

Once the groove is cut from the plank, a smooth, clean edge is created, resulting in a more finished look. Measure, mark and cut each tongue and groove exterior plank to size based on the pitch of the roof and the bottom edge of the wall. This also saves on time and gives you a much cleaner look. As the vertical planks come into contact with doors and windows, cut each plank to size for a proper fit on top of required flashing. Continue installation from left to right, securing planks in place using the same method as above.

Fit planks together and attach using the same method as with other planks. To give a clean finished look you can fill the nail holes with wood filler before you apply your sealer. Wipe surface of wood using damp cloth and allow to dry. Next, caulk where the vertical planks meet the brick.

Then, apply stain and sealant using staining pad or rag. Step 2: Remove Existing Cladding Using a crow bar and hammer continue to remove the remaining material from the home.

Step 3: Check Wall for Damage Once the old materials are removed you should see a moisture barrier on top of the house sheathing plywood. Step 5: Cut Starter Plank A starter plank must be cut to ensure a clean outward-facing edge.

These are related. Back to top. Here are quick guidelines on how to prep your wood siding and install the vinyl over it.

For your vinyl siding to have a strong and stable foundation, last longer, and serve your desired purpose, the existing wood siding must be damage-free and in sound shape.

Knowing the condition of the wood can actually help you figure out whether keeping the siding would be a wise decision. If the wood has rot or mold , make sure to remove the affected parts or replace the siding with fresh boards. Also, check to see that all boards are tightly fastened to the wall sheathing. This would also be a good time to remove the door and window trim.

In other words, before you start, you should remove any obstacles from the walls to remain with just the wood siding. The surface on which you install your vinyl siding must be smooth and flat. That said, if your wood siding is slanted or has huge protrusions, you will need to flatten it out before the new installation. Installing rigid foam boards can help provide the flat surface required by the new siding, and not just that, if installed properly, they can also provide extra protection against moisture.

Nail the furring strips vertically to the wall, 16 inches apart, then attach the foam such that it is sandwiched between the wood siding and vinyl siding. There is a good chance that the existing wood siding has a house wrap underneath it to keep moisture out of the house structure.

But if not, you will need to install one. Place it over the foam boards and tack it in properly with wide-headed nails. If possible, use nails with plastic washers to attach your wrap in place. Make sure to seal the seams of the barrier with tape to completely lock vapor out. While installing vinyl siding over an existing wood siding reduces the overall amount of work that needs to be done, it also increases the thickness of the wall, meaning, some adjustments must be done to some parts of your house to keep these parts functioning properly.

Things like doors and windows , for instance, will require a thicker frame to accommodate the thicker wall. If you have casement windows , especially, the extra layer of siding may create an obstruction, preventing the windows from opening all the way.

To fix this, measure the width of the existing wall, foam boards, and vinyl panel and use a brick mold to extend the frames. Also, make sure to install metal flashing around doors and windows to keep moisture at bay.

These include the starter strip, the J-channel, and the utility trim, and their job is to hold the vinyl panels at the bottom of the wall, on the edges, and at the top of the wall. To install a starter strip, start by snapping a chalk line at the bottom of the wood siding, about one inch from the ground.

This line should run in a straight line around the house, to mark where you will begin your installation. Attach the starter strip above the chalk line, making sure it is as level as possible.

This will ensure that the rest of the planks are also straight.