Windows are the eyes to a house's soul – if your windows are big and beautiful so too is your home, but they can also include a range of challenges as well. With sub par windows, you can look forward to a drafty home with high heating bills. Similarly, there are also moisture issues – for example, if you don't seal the space between your double panes securely enough, you will get a build up of condensation. Having lived in old houses and having helped choose the windows for new houses, I'm familiar with a range of challenges associated with windows. If you want tips and ideas, you've come to the right spot. Please, explore and enjoy.
Siding installation is typically not recommended as a DIY job due to its complexity, but for those looking to save money on their new siding, it is possible for homeowners to take on this project themselves--assuming they have some decent handy-work skills and the right tools. Should you decide to install your own siding, however, there are some important mistakes that you'll want to avoid to ensure a long-lasting siding job that looks great and adds to your home's curb appeal.
Skimping on Materials
One of the worst mistakes you can make when it comes to installing your own siding is skimping on the materials in the first place. This applies not only to the siding itself, but to the tools and materials you use to install your siding. Generally, aluminum siding is going to be your cheapest option, but it will also dent and bend more easily than more expensive siding materials, such as fiber cement and vinyl. When buying nails for your siding, make sure you're buying quality nails that will stand the test of time and not easily pop out.
Nailing Too Tightly
Speaking of nails, be careful about the force you use when you nail your siding onto your home. All too often, homeowners installing siding for the first time bang the nails in way too tight because they're afraid the siding will fall off otherwise. In reality, nails that are too tight will only make the siding itself more prone to damage (such as cracking) when the materials inevitably expand and contract with changing temperatures.
Too Much Fastener Space
Another common mistake homeowners make when installing their own siding is leaving too much space between the fasteners. When you do this, you make your siding more prone to damage from wind. Over time, you will probably end up with siding that is wavy or saggy in appearance, which will require the total removal and re-installation of the siding to fix.
Working in Small Sections
Finally, try to install larger sections of siding at a time as opposed to shorter segments. Yes, longer sections can be more difficult to work with, but they'll also leave you with fewer visible seams, which results in a more appealing finish. Smaller sections should really only be used around windows and doors, or in other tight spaces where a long piece of siding would be inappropriate or difficult to work with. Contact someone that, like Simpson Windows and Doors installs siding for more information.
Share10 September 2015
