I’m in the process of replacing the siding on our detached garage. It’s an older building, partially insulated, with old particle board siding that is literally falling off the exterior walls. Something had to be done. Just the materials themselves would be expensive, much less the cost of hiring someone to do the work. I’ve done construction work in the past, so I decided to do it myself.
First, I figured the square footage and approximate cost for the different sidings that are readily available. The same particle board siding would be the least expensive but it’s very heavy and difficult for one person to install. Other manmade materials were not an option because my building was constructed on 24” centers, and vinyl would require installing plywood underlayment. That left cedar siding as the most viable option. I like the idea of using natural materials. It is more expensive (not as much as you might think), but is lightweight, and easy for one person to work with. Not only that, but it will last forever and look pretty good. I like the natural look of cedar but a coat of paint before installation would be more appropriate in this case.
Time to get started on the back side of the building. I removed the bottom piece of siding to see the condition of the 2×4 studs and 2×6 plate and wasn’t too surprised to find that the plate under the insulated end of the building was completely dry-rotted. Also, mice had tunneled through the insulation to the point it looked like an ant farm. Considering the number of mouse droppings, they must have been eating pretty good. What a mess.
Replacing the siding would be straight forward, but replacing the dry-rotted plate was a different matter altogether. Where to put a jack while the new plate is being installed was a problem. I couldn’t place the jack under the eve of the roof because it could lift the roof trusses off the wall. After much consideration I noticed that each side of the window and the corners were double studded. If I strategically cut about 8” off the bottom of one of the double 2×4 studs, I could get my small 2-ton jack under it and do the heavy lifting. I put the jack in place and started lifting the wall. There was a lot of cracking and groaning but it worked.
Needless to say, all did not go well. Working at ground level is the worst possible position for my back and knees. My reciprocating saw worked well enough but was difficult to control in close quarters. Also, who knew that when you lift a section of wall the studs shift inward. All this played havoc on the inside paneling. I won’t even go into what happened to the window. Oh well, it needed to be replaced anyway. It finally got to the point where I had to break out the “persuader.” My sledgehammer. With a lot of sweat and a few choice words the new pressure treated bottom plate was finally in place.
After all that the siding went on fairly easily. Except for the 11/2-inch dip in the middle of the cinder block wall. With some measuring and a little give and take, the siding is straight, and you would never know there was a problem.
I do learn from my mistakes. The front and south wall went much better. One mistake was trying to replace too much of the bottom plate at one time. Replacing shorter sections made life a lot easier. Also, a 2×4 nailed to the outside of the wall keeps the studs in place while elevated and you are working beneath. But by far the most important adjustment I made was buying an oscillating saw. Some of the best money I have ever spent! No more getting beat to death by the reciprocating saw. And you can cut through anything in tight places. What a difference!
One more wall to go and the siding is finished. It’s at ground level on the insulated end, so I’m pretty sure the entire bottom plate will need to be replaced. I have learned much and will likely get started in the spring.
Except for a cut when a 16’ siding board came off unexpectedly and smacked me above the eye, and a few sore muscles, blisters, and mashed fingers, no Randall’s were harmed during the telling of this story.
