Siding Installation in Wichita, KS

Installation is where siding succeeds or fails

Every major siding manufacturer publishes installation instructions, and its warranty generally depends on following them. Most siding failures people blame on the product, such as panels blowing off, buckling in summer, water stains inside or rot behind the boards, trace back to installation details. When you compare contractors, ask about these:

• Fastening. Vinyl is hung, not nailed tight: nails go in the center of the slots with a little play, so panels can expand and contract with temperature. Nailed too tight, vinyl buckles on the first hot day. Fiber cement and engineered wood have their own nail type, spacing and edge-distance rules.
• Expansion gaps. Vinyl and steel need room at corners and channels to move. Fiber cement and LP SmartSide need specified gaps at butt joints and trim, sealed or flashed per the instructions.
• Water-resistive barrier. Siding sheds most water, but some always gets behind it. The barrier underneath, lapped correctly, sends that water down and out.
• Flashing. Window heads, door heads, roof-to-wall intersections (kick-out flashing), decks and penetrations need flashing. Missing kick-out flashing at the bottom of a roof edge is a classic cause of rotted walls.
• Clearances. Manufacturers specify clearance from the ground, roofing, decks and concrete so the siding is not sitting in water or snow.
• Cut-edge treatment. Field cuts on fiber cement and engineered wood usually need to be primed or sealed.

New construction and additions

On new homes and additions, siding goes on after the sheathing, barrier, windows and doors are in. A few points are worth settling early:

• Matching the existing house. For an addition, the goal is usually a match in profile, exposure (the visible height of each course) and color. Vinyl and fiber cement profiles change over the years, so bring a sample or the product name if you have it. When an exact match is not available, some homeowners side the addition to match and re-side one or more existing walls, or use a contrasting material (such as board and batten or shakes in the gables) on purpose.
• Trim and soffit. Decide on window trim, corner details, soffit and fascia at the same time. See soffit and fascia.
• Permits. New construction and additions are permitted as part of the building project. In Wichita and other MABCD areas, the siding contractor's license is part of that process (MABCD, contractor licensing).

Garages, shops and outbuildings

Detached garages, shops and barns around Wichita and the smaller towns are often sided in steel, LP SmartSide or vinyl. For outbuildings, think about what will hit the walls: lawn equipment, gravel thrown by mowers, livestock or vehicles. Steel panels and engineered wood each handle that differently, and steel ribbed panels are common on ag buildings. See steel and metal siding and LP SmartSide.

Wind and hail considerations

Kansas sees regular high-wind days and severe thunderstorms. A few installation choices make a real difference:

• Wind-rated products and fastening. Vinyl siding certified through the Vinyl Siding Institute program is tested to the ASTM D3679 standard, which includes a wind-load rating (Vinyl Siding Institute, product certification program). Higher wind ratings usually come from a stronger nail hem and correct fastening.
• Thickness and backing. Thicker vinyl and insulated vinyl (with a foam backer) resist denting and cracking better than thin panels. Fiber cement and steel resist small hail well; very large hail can damage any siding.
• Exposure. In open country west of Wichita, around Andale, Cheney and Goddard, and on acreages, walls facing the prevailing storm direction take the brunt. Some owners choose a tougher material on the most exposed walls.

For more, see the best siding for hail in Kansas.

Insulation and energy efficiency

Siding by itself adds little insulation, but a siding project is the easiest time to improve a wall. Options include insulated vinyl (vinyl with a contoured foam backer), rigid foam board under the siding, and air sealing gaps around windows, doors and penetrations before the house wrap goes on. Adding foam changes the thickness of the wall, so window and door trim details have to be planned for it. Ask the contractor what it recommends for your house and how it affects the trim.

Installation in Kansas seasons

Siding can be installed most of the year, but temperature matters. Vinyl is stiffer and more brittle in cold weather, so installers handle and cut it differently, and the gaps they leave depend on the temperature on the day. Fiber cement and engineered wood primers, caulks and paints have minimum application temperatures. Spring and summer are also hail season, when demand for siding work rises. If your project is flexible, ask the contractor when it has availability.

What to ask before you hire

• Do you follow the manufacturer's installation instructions, and will that keep the manufacturer's warranty valid?
• Who will be doing the installation, and who is my contact during the job?
• What water-resistive barrier and flashing will you use at windows, doors and roof lines?
• What is your MABCD license number (in Wichita and MABCD areas) and do you carry liability insurance and workers' compensation? Ask for certificates.
• What are your written workmanship terms, separate from the manufacturer's product warranty?

The full checklist is in how to choose a siding contractor in Wichita. Price ranges are in the siding cost guide.

How the quote works

Send the form with your town, the type of project and the material you are considering. We will call you back to set up a free quote.

What does it cost? See published national ranges for siding installation in the siding cost guide. They are general industry estimates, not quotes.

Related guides

• How to Choose a Siding Contractor in Wichita
• How Much Siding Do I Need? Measuring in Squares
• Does Siding Need a Permit in Wichita?
• Can You Put New Siding Over Old Siding?

Good to know: Requesting a quote is free and there is no obligation. Ask for a written quote that lists the material, the scope, permits and the warranty terms.