Most Important Vinyl Siding Tools For An Effortless & Successful Operation – Your Ultimate List

No matter what kind of DIY project you engage into, it is imperative to have the optimal tools. Sure, every DIY enthusiast has some basic tools around their homes. However, each job has specific requirements. Knowing the right tools might be a little challenging. As a newbie, you realize that you need this or that only when the situation arises.

The best vinyl siding tools

Things are even more complicated with something like vinyl sidings. Fortunately, a little education will reveal the best vinyl siding tools. You will save effort, time and money, while your finished result will look way better. Most vinyl DIY tools can be found at local home improvement stores. Then, what do you have to pay attention to?

1. Levels – a main necessity in any building related project

Sure, you can conduct the installation without a level among your vinyl siding tools, yet you should not expect the result to be spectacular either. When dealing with vinyl sidings, constant level checks guarantee for a perfect result. Otherwise, your home will look wavy. With time, a wavy construction will not face stress in such a good way, so cracks will show up here and there. Besides, the same instance of unevenness will cause big issues later on, as you evolve with the job. Constant level checks must be conducted throughout the entire installation.

2. Power saws for cutting

The power saw is among the most significant vinyl siding tools. It makes no difference if you have a radial arm saw or a bench one. Sure, you can use a manual saw to cut sidings too. However, you are likely to put more effort into the operation, not to mention wasting time and exposing yourself to cutting mistakes. Look for a fine tooth blade and cut slowly. Otherwise, you risk tearing and wearing the blade, as well as the sidings.

3. Scoring tools and utility knives for convenience

Vinyl DIY tools should never miss scoring tools or utility knives. Luckily, these sidings are quite easy to cut. Therefore, these tools can be used for small trimmings, not to mention scoring the material. When scoring, you might require a little experience. Keep the vinyl face up, but also apply medium pressure only. Snap it in half. You do not always have to go all the way through the siding if you know how to score it by the book.

4. Safety glasses – safety first

While safety glasses are not always used when dealing with vinyl siding tools, they make an excellent protective equipment. It should be used whenever you work on such projects, especially if you cut and nail materials. Polycarbonate lenses are excellent for these operations. Besides, you should not just buy the cheapest things in commerce.

5. Screwdrivers

The screwdriver is another relatively versatile tool. In the vinyl siding world, you’ll need it for removing outlet covers or anything else that may get in the way of completing your project. Don’t forget to pick up both a Phillips and a Flathead so that you are ready for anything.

6. Spirit Level

Keeping things even is extremely important when it comes to installing vinyl siding. This tool will ensure that your work is precise and appealing to the eye once complete. Oftentimes, things will appear even to the naked eye, but levels will always reveal the truth. Even if you think you have a steady hand, you should always trust a tool for a second opinion.

7. Tin Snips

This tool is perfect for any cuts you need to make that are too small to use a power saw. Tin snips easily cut through vinyl like a pair of industrial scissors. Little effort is required to cut effectively. They are great for making small adjustments or angled cuts. Armed with tin snips and a power saw you will easily be able to make any necessary cut when installing vinyl siding. 

8. Sider

Siders helps to maintain accurate scoring and marking. With this tool, you will no longer need to make inefficient chalk lines. It will even allow you to go straight to cutting with your utility knife. This device is the perfect tool to help you increase both accuracy and efficiency during the completion of your vinyl siding project. 

9. Trim Nail Punches

This handy tool will assist you with the finishing process. It helps to drive nails into various materials without denting them. The tool helps to hold the nail in place so that it can be driven in without slipping. Without this, you run the risk of damaging your materials and causing the whole process to take much longer. 

10. Snap Lock Punch Tool

This tool will help you to finish the job. It creates tabs in the edge of the siding to hook into the top of the wall or just beneath a window. Snap lock punch  locks the siding into place on the adjacent utility trim, creating a smooth finish that will last. It can also be used for aluminum siding, but it is not recommended for steel. 

Conclusion

The main thing to remember when embarking on a project is: don’t be intimidated! With a little ingenuity and a lot of hard work, you will be able to give your house the facelift it needs, greatly increasing its value. While installing vinyl siding may sound complicated, it is something that many people learn to do on their own. Hopefully, this guide gave you some insights into the world of vinyl siding and made you feel more confident about your ability to complete your work.

This was just a quick introduction into some of the tools required to complete a vinyl siding project. All these vinyl siding tools can be found at your local hardware stores such as Home Depot or Lowe’s. For more tooltips and tricks, check out CraneSiding.net.