Before you go out and start any siding installation project, you want to make sure you’ve got everything you need to finish the job from A to Z. The last thing you want is to be halfway through your siding installation and realize that you’re missing your trusty J-trims – causing a panic and delay while scrambling to get everything you need.

Like the great Benjamin Franklin once said: “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”. That’s exactly why we put together this definitive checklist for you to use before starting on any engineered wood siding project. Read it, print it, learn it, read it again, and never lose it!

If there is one thing you absolutely need, to make sure your siding project goes as smoothly as possible, it’s this list. Let’s get started, shall we?

Before You Start Your Siding Install

Before you get started, you are going to want to make sure you have the following tools on hand. These will ensure you could work through any situation that may arise throughout the installation and you won’t get caught off guard at any point.

Engineered Wood Siding Installation Check-list

  • Select your siding brand and color.
  • Make sure you have the following accessories to go with it:
    • Matching inside and outside corner posts
    • Matching wood trimboard starter strip
    • Starter strip
    • Matching siding nails (make sure to use the right nails)
    • Touch up paint
    • Caulking
    • Joint mouldings
    • J-trims
    • Drip caps
    • Anti-rodent trim
    • Flashing – this will prevent any moisture from building up.
    • Air/vapor barrier – make sure it is dry before installing the siding. You don’t want to install the siding over any moisture

All of the above items are essential to making sure that engineered wood siding is properly installed and will look great.

Siding Storage and Care Check-list

Proper storage of wood siding and it’s accessories are a crucial component to the siding installation job and help to prevent unforeseen delays or complications. Make sure you read the installation instructions carefully, and take note of the following storage and care check-list.

  • Tarp – use this to cover the siding while it is on the site before and during installation. This will prevent the siding from taking on any water that may cause damage once installed.
  • Loose skids – skids will be used to raise the siding off the ground. Keep the siding and the skids on hard gravel so that it doesn’t sink into the grass or mud, and so that no moisture builds up underneath the siding, pre-installation.

There you have it. The definitive wood siding installation guide. We’ve created a printable checklist for your convenience.. Happy installing!