The Ultimate Guide to Hanging Items on House Siding
As seasons change, you may find yourself wanting to add seasonal decor to your house. When considering mounting decorations or more functional assets such as lights to your home's exterior, you may be wondering how to hang items on siding. While LP® SmartSide® Trim & Siding is engineered for longer-lasting durability, there are some key tips to keep in mind to protect your home’s exterior when hanging items on engineered wood siding.
Following these steps will help ensure success in your mounting endeavors.
Step 1: Use a Stud Finder
The first and most critical step to hanging things on siding is to check for studs. According to LP Construction Service Associate Isaac Ojeda, "Nailing directly to siding before checking the underlying structure is one of the biggest mistakes a homeowner can make. Always ensure you are nailing to structural framing and not only to siding."
Step 2: Measure Twice, Nail Once
Once you've found studs or other structurally sound framing to attach your items to, map out where the items will go before drilling or nailing. Marking your siding with chalk is a non-permanent, fool-proof way to reduce mistakes when it comes to hanging your items. “Try not to drill too many holes,” says Ojeda. “Take your time measuring out the locations of holes you want to create and double-check your measurements before nailing or screwing.”
Step 3: Mount Your Items
When you feel confident in the projected placement of your items from both a structural and aesthetic standpoint, drill or nail into your siding. When doing so, be sure to choose the appropriate nail or screw size for the weight of your item. When you decide to remove decorations, screws or nails, make sure to seal and touch up any holes to help prevent moisture intrusion.
Is it okay to drill into siding?
Yes, if there is a stud or frame behind the siding, it is okay to drill into siding.
How much weight can you hang on siding?
The weight primarily depends on the size of the nail or screw you are using to hang your item. Vinyl hooks typically hold only up to 5 pounds. If you're hanging heavier items, opt for metal hooks.
A newly sided home is a great blank canvas with limitless potential, and when it comes to customizing your home's exterior the options are endless. Not sure where to start? Here are a few ideas to strike inspiration.
Lights
Do you have outdoor space? Mount hooks to your siding and add string lights to level up your atmosphere. If you're looking for a more functional light source, mounting spotlights on your home's exterior will increase visibility.
Seasonal Decor
Figuring out how to hang a wreath on siding can be tricky, but with the tips listed above you can achieve your holiday aesthetic without worrying about damage to your siding. Wreaths along with other holiday decor such as Christmas lights are a great way to get festive for the holiday season. Get inspired with our 2021 Holiday Decor Idea Guide.
Flower Box
Adding a flower box or planter to your windowsill is a simple way to bring some vibrancy to your home. If you decide to make this addition to your home, be sure to avoid over-watering so that mold or mildew doesn’t form along your siding.
To help you start visualizing your home’s look, we’ve gathered a list of modern house siding ideas you can accomplish with one of the most durable siding solutions on the market: LP® SmartSide® ExpertFinish® Trim & Siding.
Continue ReadingWhen it comes to your home's exterior, choosing siding colors is the perfect opportunity to showcase your personal style while enhancing curb appeal. As 2022 unfolds, let's take a look at this year's trending exterior house colors and strike inspiration for your next home update.
Whether you're tackling the project yourself or hiring a siding contractor, choosing to re-side your home in warmer months can help the process. Brian Mathis, Construction Services Associate at LP, shares his beginning steps to siding a house and the advantages to re-siding in warmer months.
The beginning of spring is a great time of year to assess your siding for signs of damage. After a hard winter season with weather concerns such as ice and low temperatures, siding damage from winter and its affects can happen. If missed, small fixable areas of siding damage can turn into larger concerns down the road.