Why Proper Nailing Is So Important for Vinyl Siding

Homes function best when every element works in perfect harmony. Even the smallest parts, like nails and screws, make a difference. But the type of nails you use — and your nailing technique — is extra important when you install vinyl siding on your home.

Vinyl is a plastic product, so it’s a little bit more malleable than aluminum or wood — particularly when the sun is shining overhead. Unfortunately, that means it’s easy to get the nailing wrong. If you mess up and nail it too tight, the siding won’t have room to expand when the weather heats up. Likewise, if you don’t drive the nails in straight, the siding can buckle and ripple, as well.

Don’t let that put you off of vinyl, though. If you take care to install it properly, it can be a durable, attractive home cladding for years to come. Here’s how to do it right — and avoid any buckles or ripples along the way.

Galvanized Roofing Nails Are Your Best Bet for Siding Success

It’s not surprising to hear that you need a galvanized nail on your home’s exterior — after all, regular fasteners could rust when exposed to the elements. Still, you’ll want to make sure that the nails you choose are strong enough — and long enough — to keep your siding from lifting off when the wind blows.

What Size Nails for Vinyl Siding?

Most builders agree that you should opt for roofing nails for this sort of project. Roofing nails have longer shanks — between one and two inches — and a flatter nail head to keep the material below held securely in place. They’re also extra sharp, so you won’t have to work as hard to nail them in. Most contractors agree that nails used in siding projects should measure at least 1 ½ inches long — or up to 2 ½ inches if you’re installing backerboard with the siding. Nail heads require a 5/16 inches minimum in diameter. Nail shanks? At least ⅛ inches in diameter.

Additionally, a lot of contractors say not to use aluminum nails, since these may eventually bend. Galvanized nails are typically made from steel, which is a stronger material overall.

How to Nail Siding: Leave Some Space

Gently rippling waves may be nice in a reflecting pond or a lake, but they’re no good for the side of your home. Siding that buckles and bulges isn’t just unsightly, it makes you more vulnerable to moisture intrusion, mold, and rot as well.

While there are a lot of reasons siding may start buckling, one of the easiest to avoid is improper nailing. Vinyl siding that’s nailed on too tight doesn’t leave room for the materials to expand and contract, and that causes ripples to form come summertime. For the best results, leave at least 1/16 inch between the nail head and the siding to give it some room to grow.

Additionally, unless you have to make an emergency repair, it’s best to begin a siding project in spring or fall, when the weather is milder. That way, your siding won’t be slightly expanded (as it would be in summer) or contracted (as it would be in winter).

You’ll also need to leave a little extra room in spots when your siding abuts up against window trim, door frames, and other accessories. It’s all due to the same principle: the siding needs a little room to spread out during the high heat of summer.

In this case, leave about a ¼ of an inch between the end of the siding panel and the trim. That will leave you with plenty enough room to cover the expansion.

Crooked Nails Cause Siding to Buckle

It’s always important to drive your nails in straight and level on any construction project. However, when you’re putting up siding, a nail that’s crooked will cause your siding to buckle and sag — especially if you leave room for extra expansion.

You’ll also want to make sure you space nails regularly, every twelve to sixteen inches. More or less space between nails could cause sagging or rippling, as well, as can irregularly-spaced nail patterns.

Don’t Face Nails to Avoid Problems Down the Line

Nails that are “faced” — meaning nailed directly on the surface of your siding — will be visible when you’re finished, which just doesn’t look all that nice. Plus, they can cause siding to buckle as well. Nails should be fixed squarely in the middle of the slots at the end of each panel. That way, they’ll be covered by the next panel’s overlap.

Ideally, nails should go in about 1/32 of an inch from each panel’s edge, although you should read the manufacturer’s guidelines for the proper measurements.

Keep your nails straight and give your vinyl siding a little room to breathe and you should be covered for the next 20 to 40 years — all for the price of a little elbow grease!

If you are ready to explore nailing vinyl siding but you want professional help, check out our database of experienced contractors in your area who are ready to take on the project.