Installing Vinyl Siding Over Wood Shingles
For houses that are situated in colder and wetter climates, wooden shingles have been a primary part of the house’s structure in keeping moisture and water away from your walls. As the centuries went by, more materials have been used for sidings and roofings.
One of these materials is vinyl siding which is getting increasingly prevalent in the market. Homeowners have been comparing both wooden shingles and vinyl sidings since both of these materials have their own unique advantages and disadvantages. Vinyl sidings have been renowned for being cost-effective, easy to install, and can easily resist rotting caused by organic growth and water damage.
However, placing vinyl sidings over wooden shingles will take a considerable amount of energy, planning, and effort. Before we can conclude on which one you should be using for your home, we have to first weigh-in on the factors and benefits of each material.
Installing New Siding Over Old Siding
While you can place a new layer of sidings over your old layer, there are some factors that you have to take into account before doing so. You can place vinyl sidings over wooden shingles. However, homeowners are recommended to leave repairs and replacements to professionals.
One of the factors is that wood should be in good condition and is not suffering from rot, fungal growths, and termites. This is also an indication that your home’s ventilation is not properly venting out excess moisture.
Should I remove the older layer of siding?
The option to remove the older layer of sidings is still there, but most homeowners find it cheaper to leave the old layer and install a new layer over it. Moreover, having a new layer means that there is a thick barrier separating your house’s interiors from the exterior which can create more insulation.
Having more insulation means that you can save on energy bills while retaining heat and, with the proper ventilation, remove excess moisture from your home. If your wooden siding layer is not leveled out then you can use a foam board to fix these certain problems.
Right Conditions for Installing Vinyl Siding Over Wood Shingles
Wood must be in good condition – If you are planning to have a new layer over your wooden sidings, it’s best to make sure that your sidings are in pristine condition. It’s best if your wooden sidings do not have rot, mold, mildews, and mosses. If ever you do see any boards that are stained and out of place, then it’s best to replace them. It is also best to remove any windows and doors to mitigate damage.
Moreover, you can re-install your windows and doors so that they will not look out-of-place. Furring and foam – Your vinyl sidings should be placed on a flat layer. If you think that your wooden siding is lapped which will make it point outwards, then having a vertical furring strip with a 16-inch interval while being covered with foam board. This will make sure that your layer is flat before installing your material.
Your furring strips should be 1×2 and 1×4 inch lumber while being resistant to moisture while being nailed towards your sidings. Moreover, you have to also take into account the thickness of your walls since adding another layer will retain more heat and moisture.
For warmer climates, this can cause discomfort if your walls are too thick. For colder climates, moisture can build up inside your home if there is no proper ventilation installed.
More Conditions
Homeowners also need to keep a close eye on their leveling of their sidings since the older layer might protrude out and cause damage if left unchecked. Overall, seasoned and licensed specialists with years of experience would suggest not placing a layer of siding over the older layer since damage in the form of mold, mildew, and rotting can be hidden from sight, but will still grow towards the new layer.
It’s best to address the problem head-on first or by replacing the older layer with a new set of materials. However, if we’re talking about placing vinyl sidings over wooden sidings, then it is possible since vinyl is resistant to the effects of rotting and water damage. Homeowners have to also adjust their windows and doors as re-siding can make your doors and windows appear a bit ‘off’.
If you’re still on the fence on whether you should place vinyl sidings over your wooden shingles, then it’s best to have a siding and roofing contractor to inspect your siding Cherokee and the supporting structures of your home first before making any final decisions. Moreover, it’s also good to weigh-in on the advantages and disadvantages of both the materials.