vynal siding

I just purchased another house that I will use for rental property. It currently has 12" massonite lap siding that is in poor condition. I'm afraid painting would just be throwing good money away. I was wondering if I had to tear the old siding off first. If I don't tear off the old, I'm not real sure how the new siding will look going around the windows.

You aren't too clear what you are thinking of doing, but I assume by the title of you question that you are considering vinyl siding. The short answer is yes, you have to tear off the old siding completely. You use J trim around windows and doors and special inside and outside trim for the corners. I will tell you that vinyl side is OK, I have it on my house, but unless you have done this kind of work before, and by the nature of your question, it doesn't sound like you have, I would urge you to hire professionals to do this job. There are many "tricks of the trade" that unless you know them will almost assure you of having a hack looking job. Like lots of things, it looks so simple...until you get into it.

vinyl siding

Thanks Gary for your response. I apoligize for poor explanation of my question. It was quite late and I had spent the day putting in a hot water heater. You managed to answer my question quite well. I have done home remodeling for several years. I pretty much new the answer before I asked. I have done a little bit of sidding and probably wouldn't hesitate on giving it a try. You know how it is with rental property, if you have to hire everything done you're cutting into the profit. Thanks again Gary and have a good week.

Gary hit the first part on the head... Need to remove that old nasty Masonite....

On the second part - I'm not sure I agree 100%. Vinyl siding, at least for me, is a reasonably simple process... Sure, there are tricks of the trade - and shortcuts for those who know them... but for anyone with half decent remodeling skills - it's not rocket science... I tackled a 4000sq.ft 3 story a while back - and it came out really well... Looked good, no drips, leaks, etc.... On the other hand, I'm not a big fan of vinyl siding, nor aluminum.... For my money, even on my cheap fix n flips - it's hardiplank.... or nothing... Easy to install (relatively) - Not that expensive, looks good, and lasts a thousand years....(or at least until long after I'm dead and gone...

sidebar

Just for clarification. Did it take you ALL day to install a water heater, if so, then that siding job may be a multi-month long task.

response

You know, some people on this forum have the personality of a rock and commen sense to match. It's a sad thing because most of you are very helpful. Then there are a few that are in it for a buck and really don't know any more than the rest of us. For the good ones out there, I apalogize and for the rest of you and you know who YOU are "YOU SUCK"

Mike

Okay folks, gettin a little out of hand here, settle down, settle down.

funny

Now that's funny right there, I don't care who you are that's funny.

I would start by reading the Vinyl Siding Installation Manual.

One thing to keep in mind is that vinyl siding is actually vinyl cladding and is not a weather resistive barrier as most would think. For that matter, it isn't maintanenance free either and has a limited lifespan.