Installation Guide

16
preparing the wall
Sheathing/Backerboard
Our vinyl siding should be applied
over a sheathing that provides a
smooth, flat, stable surface. Consult
local building codes for sheathing
requirements. Vinyl siding should
never be applied directly to studs
without sheathing. We recommend
that wood-based sheathings be
protected utilizing moisture-
resistant housewrap or building
paper prior to the installation of
the siding and accessories. Some
building codes now require this
protection.
Flashing
Flashing, such as aluminum coil,
roofing felt or house wrap, should
be applied around windows, doors,
other openings, inside and outside
corners, and the intersection of
walls and roofing to prevent water
infiltration.
New Construction
Step 1
Make sure all studs are straight and
true to avoid bulges or dips in the
finished wall. Correct any bowed
studs at this time.
Step 2
Make sure all sheathing is properly
fastened to the framing according
to building code requirements and/
or the sheathing manufacturer’s
recommendations.
NOTE: Sheathing behind vinyl
siding must be smooth, flat,
stable and appropriate for use
on the type of construction being
erected. Increasing requirements
in building codes, especially in the
areas of fire and wind resistance,
make the appropriate choice and
fastening of wall sheathing an
important area of consideration.
Check local building codes for the
allowable type and thickness of
sheathing that can be utilized on
the type of structure being sided.
Step 3
Make sure subwall assembly is
weathertight before applying
siding. Vinyl siding and vinyl
siding accessories alone do not
constitute a waterproof installation.
The combination of proper subwall
preparation and siding installation
result in the desired protection of
the structure.
Wall sheathing should be weather-
resistant, or covered with a weather-
resistant barrier such as fanfold
insulation, housewrap, or building
paper. Independent VSI studies
indicate that the combination
of a weather resistant barrier
plus a housewrap result in
improved weather performance
of the vinyl siding. Some
building code jurisdictions are
currently requiring this protection.
A weather-resistant covering should
be properly fastened according to
the manufacturer’s instructions, and
be smooth and even. Flashing and
caulking should be added as needed
in areas such as windows, doors,
and other openings to control
moisture and to protect the subwall
assembly.
WARNING: A smooth, flat, stable
wall surface is necessary for
the proper installation of vinyl
siding. Waviness in the finished
siding resulting from uneven or
inadequate backerboard sheathing
constitutes misapplication under
the terms of the warranty.
TIP: Place the drywall in the
house, on the floor of the room
where it is going to be applied,
prior to the installation of the
siding when possible. This will
help load the floor system and
the floor band prior to applying
siding. This can help reduce panel
bulging in the floor band areas
where compression and shrinkage
typically occur.