Adding trim with existing vinyl siding
My house has existing vinyl siding with no door surrounds or window headers/casing (see attached pic).
I would like to improve the looks of this by adding window headers/casing, door surrounds, etc.
1) Should I expect to have enough backing within the wall to nail 4″ casing/header around the windows? If it was not framed for wide casing, perhaps I can’t attach casing this way?
2) Because it is vinyl, should I look for vinyl products that attach surface mount style to the existing siding?
3) If I go with nailing on 4″ cedar or PVC casing with the proper flashing, etc, how should I go about removing the 4″ of vinyl around the windows? If this were wood siding, one wood trim it back with a power saw. Because it is vinyl, am I stuck with removing the vinyl from the house and re-installing it after the trim work is complete? If this is the case, I would have nearly the entire house stripped and be faced with getting it back on in the proper order.
Would a pro strip all the vinyl and put it back on or is it reasonable to trim it back in place somehow?
Thanks,
Jim
Edited 9/10/2008 2:31 pm ET by NoQuarter
Edited 9/10/2008 2:32 pm ET by NoQuarter
Replies
Try fypon produvts.
Great product site. Thanks for the tip.
At the moment however, I'm curious if I should expect to have to remove my existing vinyl siding prior to trimming out the windows or if it is reasonable to assume I can cut the vinyl in place to make room for the trim.
I have looked at the layout closely and practically the entire house would be stripped to do this. Keeping the siding organized so it is put back up properly seems very difficult.
Jim
The fypons can be installed over the siding, done it with satisfactory results.
I don't do a lot of vinyl siding. I did however repair a small storm damaged building a couple years ago that was sided w vinyl.
The HO was wanting to spend as little as possible on this "cabin", and the plan was to "patch" in the damaged parts,,,etc, etc.
Anyway, pricing out diffrent scenarios, I came to realize, the simple white siding is cheaper than paint (the siding, not all the little detail and trim pieces). So that, on this job, to save as much of the existing as we could was a waste of time. Much easier to remove it all and start over.
Get a price on new siding. It may change how you approach your job.
Harry
I dont see any reason to add any trim, that house looks fine--I like the shutters. Removing and re-installing the vinyl would be the only way. Good time to add flashing tape, too.
I'vew added trim like you want by cutting it back with a mini grinder, or better yet, a Fein MultiMaster.
Once you've got the siding cut back to where you want, slip in the new J-channel behind the old siding, then fit the casings. I like adding a heavier sill under the window, then 5/4 casings. I'm pretty much just doing this kind of work in Azek anymore, since its already white, and won't ever rot.
If the J is loose, I'll blind screw it into the new casing to hold it in place.
Don't forget to flash the new head casing.
Thanks Shep, thats what I was looking for. I was also considering an air-powered snipper (like used for sheet metal work).
Jim
Not what you are asking about but I did mine with wide vinyl siding trim.
I like the addition of that trim a lot better.
Jim
There is no need to remove all of the siding to install the trim. Snap lines on the siding where you want to cut, say 2-2 1/2" from the window and use a plywood blade backwards in a circ saw. Set the depth just deep enough to score the sheathing and the siding will come right off.
I did this on a window replacement last year. I'm not a big fan of J-channel so I ripped 1x6 in half and attached that around the window. A second 1x4 was applied over that and then it was wrapped in coil stock. (You could use azek for the second layer if you wanted white) This concealed all of the cut edges of the siding. Windows were flashed prior to installing any of the trim.
Here is a before and after photo.
You cannot convey tone in an email.
That is a great explanation. I like the technique and the look.I’m not clear on what you mean by wrapping it in coil stock. Does that mean the second layer has a brown aluminum covering the wood?
yes. we wanted to match all of the other trim on the house and match the windows (Andersen 400 in Terra Tone)
So we used Rollex, bronze aluminum coil stock to cover the 1x4. If you go this route keep in mind that you cannot use aluminum coil over treated wood without a separation barrier. In this case, we opted for wrapping non-treated with tyvek.
I have also done the same technique with treated wood and Azek applied as the trim.
You cannot convey tone in an email.