Siding Replacement Process

Understanding what happens from consultation through final walk-through makes your project predictable. Clear steps, trained crews, and daily communication throughout.

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What Happens During Siding Replacement

A clear process means predictable timelines, cleaner finishes, and results that last. When wall prep happens correctly and panels get installed with the right spacing, you avoid problems later.

For over 10,000 homeowners across Canton, Ann Arbor, Toledo, and surrounding areas, this approach delivers consistent results. The steps stay the same; what changes is how we adapt them to your home's size, style, and current condition.

In this guide:

Discovery through design — picking profiles and colors during your consultation, plus checking your walls for issues

Preparation that protects — wall prep, housewrap, and flashing work before panels go up

Installation details — from tear-off through panel placement with room for the material to expand and contract

Quality checkpoints — making sure everything lines up, trim fits right, and the site stays clean daily

Your role after completion — basic maintenance, warranty info, and ongoing support

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How Does Siding Replacement Start

We start with an in-home consultation. We measure your exterior, check wall conditions, and talk about why you're replacing—age, damage, or a style update.

Profile and color planning happen during this visit. We'll show you samples of horizontal lap, board and batten, and shake styles. Darker colors absorb more heat, which affects how much the panels expand. While measuring, we look for problems:

Soft sheathing around windows

Water stains near the foundation

Gaps in existing housewrap

You'll know about any repairs before we write the proposal.

We also talk through trim details, soffit work, and any accent walls you want. If you have HOA rules, bring those along.

What Preparation Is Needed Before Installing Siding

Once you approve the project, we finalize measurements and develop the prep plan. This determines material quantities, tear-off scope, and wall prep sequence.

The prep plan covers three layers:

Tear-off: We remove old siding and inspect what's underneath. If sheathing is soft or rotting, it gets replaced before new material goes up. Compromised sheathing won't hold fasteners and lets moisture reach framing.

Weather-resistive barrier: Housewrap that sheds water while letting vapor escape. We overlap seams the way the manufacturer requires and tape all penetrations.

Flashing: Windows, doors, vents, and penetrations need properly placed flashing that pushes water outward—not trapped between layers. This is where most water problems start when installers skip steps.

Wall prep determines long-term performance. Rushing through it to get panels up faster usually means callbacks later.

We set your installation schedule during this phase. Most projects start within 2-4 weeks depending on material availability and crew schedule.

How Long Does It Take to Get a Siding Estimate

You'll get a detailed proposal the same day as your consultation. We break down:

Material specs and square footage

Trim and accessory details

Labor and timeline

Any identified repairs

Your profile choices show up in the proposal—horizontal lap, board and batten, shake, or combinations. Trim and accessories include corner posts, J-channels, starter strips, soffit, fascia, and trim around windows and doors.

If permits are needed, we handle applications and inspections. We work with Polaris as our supplier. The vinyl handles Michigan and Ohio weather. The material has its own manufacturer warranty, and we add our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty on top.

What Are the Steps to Install Vinyl Siding

Installation starts with tear-off. The crew removes old siding, trim, and fasteners, hauling debris daily. Tear-off shows us the sheathing for a final check.

Once walls are clear and repairs are done, we install weather-resistive barrier in horizontal runs, overlapping seams and taping openings. This creates a path where water runs down and out at the bottom.

Panel installation starts at the bottom with a starter strip. Each panel locks into the one below and gets fastened through slots at the top. We center fasteners and don't drive them too tight so panels can move when temperatures change.

Vinyl expands in heat—a 12-foot panel can shift up to half an inch in direct summer sun. That's why panels aren't jammed tight to corners, and fasteners stay loose enough that material slides freely.

We work up the wall, checking alignment every few rows. Daily updates happen throughout. If we find issues—rotted wood, windows needing adjustment—we'll talk before moving forward.

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How Do You Finish Siding Installation

After panels are up, we handle trim and corners.

Soffit and fascia get installed or worked into the new siding. We make sure vent channels are clear for attic airflow.

Corners use pre-formed posts or mitered cuts.

Starter strips, J-channels, and trim around openings let panels move freely while pushing water away. right away.

We check that:

Lines are straight

Seams are staggered

No fasteners are too tight

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What Happens After Siding Is Installed

The final walk-through is your chance to review everything. We'll walk the outside, pointing out trim work and corners. If something doesn't look right, we fix it immediately.

Basic maintenance:

Rinse panels once or twice a year

Use a soft brush and mild soap for tough stains—avoid pressure washers

Check caulk around windows once a year

You'll get warranty paperwork before we leave. The vinyl has a manufacturer warranty (typically 25 years to lifetime). We add our Lifetime Workmanship Warranty on top, covering install problems for as long as you own the home.

Our Gold Standard Protection Plan is included automatically—annual inspections, priority scheduling for repairs, and transferability if you sell.

We respond to questions within 24-48 hours.

How Long Does Siding Replacement Take

We can finish a standard siding project within 3-5 business days, typically. Smaller homes finish faster; larger homes with complex details take longer.

What affects timeline:

Home size — 1,200 sq ft ranch vs 3,000 sq ft two-story

Window/door count — each needs trim work and flashing

Soffit/fascia replacement — adds 1-2 days

Weather — extreme cold, heavy storms, or high winds stop work

Wall repairs — extensive rot adds time

Leading exterior home remodeling experts serving Ohio and Michigan with quality craftsmanship since [Year].Leading exterior home remodeling experts serving Ohio and Michigan with quality craftsmanship since [Year].

Toledo

2852 South Ave Toledo, OH 43609

(419) 495-8598

Farmington Hills

23941 Research Dr Farmington Hills, MI 48335

(248) 290-6843