Code-compliant flashing should be integrated with weather resistant barrier and applied around windows, doors, and other openings. Flashing should also be applied to inside and outside corners, and intersection of walls and roofing to prevent water seepage through joints.

Once your outside wall has been covered with sheathing to provide a smooth flat surface, and your windows and doors have had flashing installed to channel any incidental water from collecting, you may now install starter strip. This strip is an accessory applied directly to surface of building at lowest part of wall to be sided, and is used to secure first course of siding to home. This course will need to be checked for level as it is what rest of job relies upon for evenness.

With aluminum, galvanized steel, or other corrosion-resistant nails, you may now start installing vinyl siding. As each style of panel may be different refer to installation instructions supplied. Cut panels to length with a circular saw and trim with tin snips. As you nail panels in place, be sure to leave about thickness of as dime between nail head and wall to allow for shifting. Check every 5th or 6th course for horizontal alignment. When portions overlap you must have about 1" to seal joint.

The basic installation of vinyl siding is quite simple, but since there are codes governing how certain aspects are handled, you should inquire with a professional for specific trimming tasks and other more complicated vinyl siding installation practices.

All in all, you will find task of re-siding your home manageable with only a few frustrations to contend with. But reward will be well worth it.

Poplar Shutters Poplar shutters mill and paints well. Mineral streaks and a green color make poplar unsuitable for staining. Poplar is moderately heavy for shutters. Poplar is widely available, but less costly. Poplar is best used for millwork and trim that is nailed in place. Popular produces a lesser quality shutter.

Cedar Shutters Cedar shutters mill and finish nicely. However, color varies greatly for staining. Cedar is soft and can dent and scratch easily. Tilt bar staples do not hold well.

Cedar shutters work wonderfully for exterior shutters. The outstanding durability and resistance to decay of incense cedar makes it ideal for exterior use where moisture is present. This wood gives long service with little maintenance in such as mud sills, window sashes, sheathing under stucco or brick veneer construction, greenhouse benches, fencing, poles, trellises, and shutters. Incense cedar is also used extensively for exterior siding because it is dimensionally stable and holds paint well, in addition to being durable. Oh, yes, and bugs hate it!

Alder Shutters Alder is our second choice for shutters. Alder is a smaller tree so only shorter lengths are available, thus tall shutters require finger joints.

Pine Shutters Pine is a softwood. Many different species and grades of pine is available, so quality tends to be inconsistent.

Synthetics, Plastics, Vinyl, Fauxwood, and Poly Many synthetics incorporate "wood" in their name, but most contain no wood - usually called faux wood or poly shutters. Made from stock size components with few, if any, custom options. Come in limited white colors, and cannot be stained. Look, feel, and sound like plastic. Relatively new product so limited customer satisfaction experience. Synthetics are less costly to manufacture. Heavy and tend to sag. All synthetics are manufactured from nonrenewable resources.

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