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Save on vinyl siding: install in the fall

Save on vinyl siding: install in the fall

With fall weather fast approaching, now is the time to begin any major home renovation projects such as putting on a new roof or installing new vinyl siding. There are several benefits of beginning a project in fall -- but you want to get the ball rolling before wet weather hits your region.

Autumn makes good sense for exterior renovation work

Early fall offers homeowners a chance to begin an exterior renovation without having to work in the withering heat of summertime, and if you hire a siding contractor you also can potentially save a bit on vinyl siding labor costs. Contractors often are busiest in late spring and early summer as winter weather gives way to sunny days. By hiring an experienced building professional after peak construction season, you stand a good chance of catching them at a slower time in their scheduling. You might be able to negotiate slightly lower rates on labor since they are more eager to take on additional jobs than when their crews are tied up on other sites.

Also, if you are doing any of the work yourself, such as taking down the old cladding, it's much easier to work in moderate fall temperatures than under the heat of the summer sun. But don't wait too long -- the last thing you want to do is get caught in inclement weather with your house exposed to the elements.

Vinyl siding installation for hot and cold weather

Vinyl siding expands and contracts by as much as one-half inch in hot or cold weather, the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) says. It's important that the siding is installed correctly depending upon the weather during installation. If you (or your contractor) install the cladding while temperates are above 40 degrees Fahrenheit, you must leave a 1/4-inch gap between siding panels and accessories such as trim and corner pieces. If the siding is installed below 40 degrees, then a 3/8-inch is required to give the material room to expand when it heats up. It's also critical to leave 1/32 of an inch between the nail head and the nailing hem to allow the siding to flex, according to the VSI.

Hiring a pre-screened and certified siding contractor, like the licensed, bonded and insured* siding contractors found by filling out a form on this site. is an excellent way to ensure your new vinyl siding installation is done correctly.

*See terms and conditions at: http://www.streetcertified.com/about/Terms.jsp

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