Installing most types of siding is fairly straightforward; it just takes a well-planned layout and the right tools for the job.
House siding trends change just like home interior trends do. Masonite siding was all the rage in the ‘80s and ‘90s, and that gave way to the vinyl and stucco craze of the early 2000s. Today, tongue and groove siding is found on most new builds.
These ever-changing trends leave many people wanting to update their siding to something more current. So, if you’re wondering what house siding is the easiest to install, here’s a look at some of the most common types of siding and what the installation process looks like for each.
Start With a Plan
It’s extremely important to form a solid plan before you get started with any home exterior project. Siding can be tricky, especially when you try to wing it. Lay out your pieces of siding before you start any work, and if you notice that there will be any areas that don’t work as well, try to make sure that section is on a less visible part of the house.
Allow plenty of time to plan and lay out your project so that the actual installation process goes as smoothly as possible. Better yet, call a professional to help you achieve the siding of your dreams.
Tongue-and-Groove Siding
Tongue-and-groove siding is exactly what it sounds like — siding that has tongues and grooves on either side so it slides together to make a seamless panel. The panels over and under-lap each other to snap together and cover your home’s exterior.
Installing this type of siding isn’t extremely difficult, but it’s not appropriate for all areas. If you live in a very wet environment, you might want to pick a different material for your home’s exterior since tongue-and-groove doesn’t offer as much protection from the elements.
Vinyl Siding
Vinyl is widely known as one of the cheapest and easiest siding materials to install on a home’s exterior. It’s easy to cut and apply and doesn’t need to be painted. But while the actual application is simple, preparing your home for vinyl siding is a lot more work.
To prepare for vinyl siding application, you first need to check all of your boards and trim. Replace anything rotten and tighten any loose boards. Next, scrape away any old caulk from windows and doors. Remove any exterior fixtures that will interfere with installation, and ensure no landscaping will get in the way.
Furring strips are generally required when installing new vinyl siding to your home’s exterior; this helps account for any uneven walls and makes the vinyl look even, smooth, and finished rather than uneven and irregular.
Board and Batten Siding
Board and batten have become extremely popular in home exteriors in recent years. This style gives off a farmhouse vibe but can work well on any home. The actual installation process for this exterior isn’t too difficult as long as it is well planned out.
Before you cut any boards or punch any nails, it’s important to think about what kind of spacing you want in between the boards and what type of wood you’re going to use. Not all boards are the same size. Generally, the boards are made using 1×10 boards and 1×3 battens, but you can use different sizes.
The type of wood you choose can also impact how difficult or easy the installation will be. Cedar is the most common wood used for board and batten because it’s somewhat soft and easy to nail to your house and seal without cracking. Harder woods, like pine, are prone to cracking and are much more difficult to install.
It’s also important to prepare your home’s exterior before you apply this type of siding. You can install the boards and battens onto solid plywood or oriented strand board sheathing. A home without solid sheathing or plywood will need furring strips to be applied horizontally before starting on the actual siding application.
Siding Shingles
Shingles are fairly new to the siding game, but they offer a rustic charm to any home. Shingles are frequently applied under the eaves of houses rather than to the entire exterior, but plenty of homes use shingles across the outside. This type of siding is commonly referred to as “cedar shake” siding.
Installing shingles to the sides of your house can be very time-consuming because they need to be applied in three layers for maximum protection against the elements. This process means you will likely need to buy more shingles than you expect. Many homeowners choose to paint or stain their singles before installing them, which adds a huge amount of time and work to the process.
Do you like the look of shingles on a home exterior but aren’t up for installing it yourself? This job — along with all siding jobs — is best left to experienced professionals.
But, if you’re set on doing it yourself, another option both homeowners and professionals have is to use shingle panels. These are large panels of plywood covered in shingles, so you can apply the entire panel to your home at once rather than installing each individual shingle — this can save a ton of time, but it might be more difficult to paint or stain the shingles on the panels.
Refresh Your Siding With M&M Gutters & Exteriors
Is the siding on your home ready for a refresh? Trying to install house siding on your own can be a tricky process, but the experts at M&M Gutters & Exteriors are here to make the upgrade a breeze. Our knowledgeable and professional team have decades of industry experience several decades of industry experience, and no job is too big or little for us.
Our skilled crew is fully licensed and insured, and we’re here for all of your siding repairs, replacements, and other home exterior needs. We are committed to delivering high-quality gutters, siding, and service to homes and businesses in Salt Lake, Weber, Davis, Utah, and Summit counties in Utah. Contact our team to learn more today.