How to Replace a Piece of Siding

How Do You Replace Engineered Wood Siding Pieces?

Replacing siding can be tricky, even for the most practiced professionals. When you replace engineered wood siding, it’s crucial that the re-installation process is accurate and enables your project to remain in great shape for years to come. Here is a quick guide to the process of replacing old siding that will lead you to a successful outcome.

How Hard Is It to Replace Engineered Wood Siding?

When you know how to replace exterior engineered wood siding, the process is simple, especially if you are using a durable solution like LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding. It can resist damage before, during and after installation. In just a few simple steps, you can have a new piece of siding installed that not only serves as a first line of defense against moisture but stands up to extreme weather and everyday bumps and bruises along the way.

Tools Required to Replace Engineered Wood Siding 

To replace engineered wood siding successfully, you’ll need a few standard woodworking tools—the same you’d use as LP SmartSide installation tools. These include a circular saw (or miter saw), a prybar/crowbar, a nail gun, primer and paint. You should also have an ASTM C920 Class 25 or better sealant on hand. Use the required fasteners—minimum 0.113-inch shank diameter hot-dipped galvanized nails—for patching engineered wood siding. Be sure to consult manufacturer’s instructions for varying nailing instructions.

Steps to Replace or Patch Engineered Wood Siding Panels

Patching engineered wood siding due to damage or typical installation mistakes is simple, especially for minor siding repairs. Other materials can be difficult to pull off a structure after installation, leading to breakage and waste. But engineered wood holds up to the repair process. Learn to replace engineered wood siding with these easy steps:

Step 1: Remove nails from the siding. Pull the existing piece off. Examine the water-resistive barrier and other structural elements behind the siding to ensure no other repairs need to be made.

Step 2: Place flashing tape over the nail holes on the wall. Use a squeegee to complete seal. Be sure to use the same brand of seam & flashing tape as weather-resistive barrier you have installed, such as LP WeatherLogic® Air & Water Barrier and its corresponding Seam & Flashing Tape.

Step 3: Place siding correctly, measuring for precision with the correct spacing. Use a siding spacer, such as a SimpleSider, specifically designed for use on LP SmartSide products.

Step 4: Face nail new siding into place as close as possible to the original nail locations.

What About Removing & Reusing Engineered Wood Siding During Installation?

You now have the steps to replace old siding, but what about removing and reusing engineered wood siding during the installation process?  Join contractor Jordan Smith of Smith House Company on the jobsite to see the process.

As Smith demonstrates, LP SmartSide Trim & Siding is less prone to accidental breakage during handling and installation. Because it’s manufactured with LP’s proprietary SmartGuard® process, it gains strength from four components of protection.