Siding....

[MeTheGirlie]

Has anyone attempted this task on their own? I'm looking into changing our siding, it needs replacement and we're looking into the "lookalike" cedar siding (vinyl, but looks like cedar).

[Annabelle]

We will be re-siding our home in the spring next year and hope to use the cedar-like vinyl siding too.

We've talked about attempting this project on our own, but honestly it'll take more than a few weekends for us to get it done. So, we are planning to hire someone because we know he and his crew can get it done a lot faster than the two of us, plus he will have all the necessary equipment (i.e. cutters, scaffolding, etc.) and we won't have to rent these things from Home Depot or wherever...

[jennylou]

Siding is a pretty easy job. If you have never done it, you should have someone who has at least get you started so that you can learn how far to put the nails in (put them too far and the siding will warp when the weather changes, put them in too loose and they'll not stay up), plus you'll want to have them help with the corners and starting. You will need special tools. We have a saw, but we have to put a different blade on it when we side so that it doesn't tear it to pieces. Also, you will want some hand snips as well for the tighter areas that you'll need to cut. A ladder will do just fine, but if you're going up really high, you *may* want some scaffolding. If you have most of the necessary equipment, it's not hard really. Make sure you're straight to start and keep checking for level and it's really a piece of cake. The most time consuming part is putting up the insulation. The rest I find to go pretty quick.

My DH and I are both pretty handy. On a scale of 1-10 I'd rate the actual hardness of siding about a 3. If you have more than 2 stories, you can bump it right up to about an 8 (I don't like heights). :p

[ivansbabe]

I'm hoping DH and I can accomplish this task next spring. I hate our current siding and it would make a world of difference to have it changed. Luckily we have a small rambler so it may not be too difficult. Sure it could take a few weekends but if it means saving alot of money doing it ourselves I think it's the way to go. We also want to change out our windows and plan to do that as well as paint the exterior. It makes me excited to think of the difference it will make.