1. Measure the amount of exterior wall to be covered with the siding. Then, measure a second time; it is easier to measure twice than to suffer the effects of cutting and then discovering that the measurement was incorrect!

2. Visit your local hardware or home goods store to choose the proper recommended grade of siding material for your area.

3. While purchasing the siding materials, be sure to pick up any recommended hardware – nails, tacks, or other fasteners, at the same time to ensure that you have sufficient supplies to finish your project.

4. Be certain that you have sufficient ladders or other construction devices to enable you to install the siding safely!

5. Decide in advance of installation if you want to stain the siding materials prior to installing them. The advantage to staining them in advance is that they can be stained more easily while they are still on the ground. Any scuffs to the finish can be touched up once the siding is permanently hung on the sides of the dwelling.

6. Once you have installed your homes new siding, make sure you know how to clean the siding as well as maintain your home siding.

With routine cleaning of your homes siding, your siding should last for years.

Cleaning your Siding:

• To keep siding in good shape, hose it down and scrub clean with a car-wash brush that attaches to a hose.

• Hose down vinyl panels and sponge them with a mild liquid detergent.

• If brick veneer suffers form efflorescence, scrub the siding one small area at a time. Use a mild solution of muriatic acid (1 part acid to 10 parts water). Make sure to risen the wall well with clear water after scrubbing with the muriatic acid. Do not use this cleaning method on a stone veneer.

• You can retard the growth of mildew by washing the siding with a solution of 1/3 cup detergent and 1 quart household bleach in 3 gallons of water. Brush or sponge the walls then rinse clan.

Caution: When working with chemical cleaners, wear goggles and gloves. Cover your plants with a plastic tarp that are located near the siding you will be cleaning.

After cleaning the siding repair any caulking and paint that was damaged. Stain any areas of the siding that are chipped or peeling.