I want to vinyl side my home and in looking around the exterior to start getting an idea of what I will be facing I was wondering what to do about the electic panel and conduit pipes attached to the siding. How is that area usually approached? The existing siding is large cedar shake, so I would be taking those off obviously. Should the meter box just be j channeled around? What about the wires and coverings? Not sure how to approach that. Also I want to vinyl all the soffits and I’ll have someone come in and wrap the facia (I don’t feel qualified to handle that). Which would be done first the aluminum facia then the soffits or the other way around? Appreciate the advice for this project.
Timmy
Replies
maybe go look at a vinyl sided house
Meter box should be removed from the wall, a vinyl meter block installed (it provides a solid base for the meter, and has it's own j-channel built in) It's best to let an electrician to the meter R&R, in most communities it's required. You have to notify the power company, 'cause the security tab must be removed to get inside the meter box.
Thanks for input Svenny, thats about what i thought as far as having the box taken off. As far as the wires leading up from the box, what gets done with them? As far as keeping them off the wall while the work gets done and then re-attaching them to the wall? And is there a type of vinyl tubing that goes over them for a finished look? Or do they just go right back on top of the new siding? Thanks for taking time to reply.
Timmy
You need to temporarily hold the service wire up while the new siding gets installed. I usually tie it up somehow. It's easy to slide the siding behind while everything is detached.
I've never covered the old service line with anything, if they're not already in a conduit. I just give it a new coat of paint to match the siding. It always looks better to use brand new mounting brackets as well. Sometimes this is a good opportunity to get new service into a house, if your system can use the upgrade, or if the old wires are especially weatherbeaten or worn. And then everything looks brand new.
John Svenson, Builder, Remodeler, NE Ohio (Formerly posted as JRS)
Svenny, Where do I get a "vinyl meter box"? Is this something I can pick up at a Depot or Lowes type store?
timmy
Its called a meter block. I don't know if the big boxes stock them. maybe they can order one for you. You can get them at any vinyl siding supplier that deals with the pros. Try your local lumber yard, they may be able to order one for you.
John Svenson, Builder, Remodeler, NE Ohio (Formerly posted as JRS)
The metal fascia wrap is installed after the vinyl sofit. Go look at a house and you will se why. Also, go look at this web page (.pdf document) it should tell you most of what you need to know: http://www.vinylsiding.org/install/guide.pdf
Thanks for link Dirishinme
You WANT to vinyl side your house? rg
roofing and siding people usually do the soffitt and fascia together, that is, bend one big , fat , L which holds the front of the vinly soffitt, eliminating the j channel in the front, providing there's an existing soffitt to hold it on top.
Unless you can work hand-in-hand with the sub, do the soffitt first and let the fascia guy come after you do the soffitt.
You can probably break the shingles flush with the meter base, and then install the j channel around it , pay attention to how you fold it around, so it shed's water correctly.
Oh yeah, since this hurricane just came through here, and blew the siding off many a house, MAKE SURE YOU NAIL IT DOWN TIGHT! <G> !
MAKE SURE YOU NAIL IT DOWN TIGHT! <G> !
......
nice!
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
"Oh yeah, since this hurricane just came through here, and blew the siding off many a house, MAKE SURE YOU NAIL IT DOWN TIGHT! "
I assume you know that's not true, and were kidding around.
But just in case anyone else had any doubt, NEVER, EVER nail vinyl siding tight. It expands and contracts as it wamrs up and cools off. If it's nailed up tight it will buckle terribly. Leadership is action, not position [Davey Crockett]
....thought I'd throw that in and see who'd say what...
"....thought I'd throw that in and see who'd say what..."
I kinda figured you were kidding around. But I was worried some DIY would see that and nail his siding up nice and tight. I can just see him standing there saying: "I'm nailing it tight so it won't blow off. This guy on the internet............""The first job of leadership is obtaining power. The second job is delegating it to subordinates." [JBR Yant]
That......... is a popular instruction around here from some fly-by-night siding crews to diy-ers.
It goes like this.....
"Siding" people give HO price for house.
HO thinks it's too high, proceeds to do house himself.
Siding people are doing the house next door to him, see him doing job, and go over and give HO some pointers...... "this is how corners go on............ lace the j-channel like so....... and for God's sake, drive the nails in snug, like this!"
wait...
Now I'm confused.....
JeffBuck Construction Pittsburgh,PA
Fine Carpentery.....While U Waite
You and yer buddy red are a couple wize-azzes...go sit down and try and stay outta trouble while I fetch you guys a couple cold ones.J. D. Reynolds
Home Improvements
"DO IT RIGHT, DO IT ONCE"