Building a new home involves many exciting milestones, yet few choices impact the final appearance and protection of your property more than your Siding. This exterior cladding serves as the primary shield for your house, as it defends the structural frame against wind, rain, and temperature fluctuations. When you partner with Kimball Construction for a new construction project, you will find that Siding defines the character of your home while ensuring long-term durability. Understanding exactly what this material is and how it functions helps you make the best decision for your unique aesthetic. Essentially, Siding refers to the protective material attached to the exterior walls of a house or other residential building to shed water and protect the home from the effects of weather.
The process of choosing the right Siding begins early in the design phase because your choice influences both the budget and the structural requirements of the exterior walls. Kimball Construction presents all available material and color selections within BuilderTrend, so you can review and provide your final approval with ease. While BuilderTrend contains our curated standard options, you might desire more specific or custom selections for your new home. In those cases, we encourage you to research premium brands and retailers such as James Hardie, Alside, or local suppliers like The Home Depot and Lowe’s to explore a wider variety of textures and profiles. After you select your preferred Siding, we move into the scheduling phase to ensure the materials arrive exactly when the build reaches the exterior finishing stage.
In a typical new construction timeline, Kimball Construction schedules the installation of Siding after the framing, roofing, and window installations are complete. This sequence is vital because the house must be “dried in” to prevent moisture from getting trapped behind the new panels. Furthermore, local building inspectors must approve the rough-in electrical and plumbing work before we cover the exterior sheathing. Consequently, the Siding phase signals a major transition where your house finally begins to look like a finished home. Our professional installers handle the physical application, as they possess the specialized tools and experience required to manage heavy fiber cement or precise vinyl locking systems.
The actual installation process follows a meticulous series of steps to guarantee a weatherproof seal. First, the crew applies a high-quality house wrap or weather-resistive barrier over the plywood sheathing to allow the house to breathe while blocking liquid water. Next, the team installs starter strips, corner posts, and trim around windows and doors to create the framework for the panels. Then, the installers carefully attach the Siding courses from the bottom up, as they ensure each piece levels perfectly with the one below it. Finally, we apply professional-grade caulk to joints and gaps, which provides the last line of defense against the elements and creates a polished, seamless look.
You should anticipate that the entire Siding phase will take approximately two to four weeks from start to finish. This duration includes a rough-in period of about one week for weatherproofing and trim, followed by seven to ten days for the primary installation. However, lead times for ordering materials can vary significantly based on your specific choices. Standard vinyl options might arrive in a few days, whereas custom-colored fiber cement or specialty wood products can require three to six weeks of lead time. Kimball Construction manages these logistical details within your project schedule to minimize any downtime on the job site. By the time our team performs the final cleanup, your new construction home will stand fully protected and beautifully finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I change my siding design after the order is placed?
Because we place orders for your Siding immediately after your BuilderTrend approval to meet construction deadlines, changes are usually not possible without significant fees and delays. We recommend visiting local showrooms to see physical samples of your Siding in person before you click the approval button in our portal.
Does the weather affect when the siding is installed?
Yes, extreme weather conditions can delay the installation of Siding on your new home. While our crews can work through light rain, we must pause during heavy storms or high winds to ensure both the safety of the workers and the integrity of the moisture barrier.
Is a specific type of siding better for new construction?
The best Siding for your home depends on your budget and desired maintenance level. Fiber cement offers incredible fire resistance and a wood-like look, while vinyl provides a cost-effective, low-maintenance solution that never needs painting. Kimball Construction can help you weigh these benefits during your selection meeting.
Would you like me to create a detailed comparison table of the different siding materials mentioned to help with your selection process?
