Vinyl Siding & Trim in Baltimore

What does a siding job include?

A Solomon siding job covers tear-off, repair and new cladding for the area you want re-done. We remove the old siding and trim, inspect the sheathing and framing underneath, replace anything that’s soft or rotted, install house wrap and flashing, and then hang new vinyl siding and trim. We finish by sealing where it’s called for and cleaning up the roof, yard and walkways.

We take the old siding off rather than covering it because that’s the only way to see what’s going on behind it. Water that has been getting in around a window or a roof line for years doesn’t show from the outside until the damage is well along.

Can you re-side a dormer or a single wall?

Yes. A dormer, a rear wall or an addition can be re-clad on its own if the new siding ties into the old at a clean break, such as a corner or trim line. On one house we re-clad a roof dormer in white vinyl with new trim, working it into the surrounding shingle roof.

Dormers take more care than a flat wall. They sit on the roof, so we work around shingles, and the joint where the dormer’s side walls meet the roof needs step flashing that’s tucked in correctly behind the siding. That roof-to-wall joint is one of the most common places for leaks in older homes, and it’s the first thing we check once the old siding is off.

How do you match new siding to the existing siding?

We match by profile, exposure and color, then compare in daylight before ordering. Vinyl siding comes in different shapes (Dutch lap, double 4-inch and others) and different reveal heights, and the new courses have to line up with the old ones where they meet.

Color is harder. Vinyl fades in the sun, so a new panel in the “same” color can look brighter than ten-year-old siding next to it. When the match is close, we tie in at a corner or trim line where the eye expects a break. When it isn’t, we’ll tell you honestly and suggest re-siding the whole elevation instead of patching.

What do Baltimore rowhouse rear walls need?

Many Baltimore rowhouses have brick fronts and sided rear walls or rear additions. These back walls often take the most weather and get the least maintenance, so loose or cracked panels, missing trim and gaps around old windows and doors are common, with water getting behind the siding at each one.

Rowhouse rear walls also come with access challenges: narrow yards, decks or rear stairs and landings in the way, and neighbors on both sides. We plan ladder and staging placement at the estimate so the work stays on your side of the property line. If the rear of the house also needs a flat roof replacement, doing both together means the flashing at the top of the wall is done once.

What’s involved in new trim?

Trim is what makes siding look finished and keeps water out at the edges. Depending on the house, that can include corner posts, J-channel around windows and doors, window and door trim, fascia, soffit and frieze boards. We replace soft wood trim before covering or replacing it, because wrapping rotten wood just hides the problem.

If you’d rather paint wood trim or brick than replace it, our interior and exterior painting work can be part of the same project.

What affects the cost of new siding?

Wall area and what’s behind the old siding set most of the cost. A single dormer with sound sheathing is a short job; a rear wall with rotted sheathing around every window needs carpentry before any vinyl goes up. The other main drivers:

• Height and access. Dormers on a roof and upper rear walls need staging and roof protection.
• Tear-off. One layer of old siding or several, plus old trim.
• Rot repair. Sheathing, framing and trim replaced once the wall is open.
• Openings. Each window and door needs flashing and trim.
• Matching. A profile or color that’s no longer made can mean re-siding the full elevation.
• Review. Historic districts in the City and County add review before work starts.

We give a written price after we’ve measured the wall and looked at the trim and openings.

How we install vinyl siding

1. Protect the area. We cover shingles, plants and walkways below the work.
2. Remove the old siding and trim. We save matching pieces when they may be useful.
3. Repair sheathing and framing. Anything soft gets replaced, with photos to you first.
4. Wrap and flash. A water-resistive barrier goes on, with flashing at windows, doors and roof lines. Baltimore County’s roofing and siding page lists both as code requirements when siding is replaced. (Baltimore County PAI)
5. Install siding and trim. Vinyl expands and contracts with temperature, so we fasten it to hang loosely on its nails rather than pinning it tight, which helps prevent buckling in summer.
6. Walkthrough and cleanup. We pick up nails and scraps and walk the work with you.

New additions need siding that ties into the existing house, and on those projects the siding is part of the larger build. See our home additions page for how we plan that work.