Siding of Steel

Published on by Our Humble Abode

On Friday, Ben got the call we’ve been waiting for.  Our steel siding is done and  ready to pick up.  Hooray, we can actually finish the outside of our house!  However, we did stray slightly from our original plan.

Photoshop-House-Plans-Bathroom-Bump-Out-Rust

Using corrugated rust steel was always the intention, until we started weighing the pros and cons.  Corrugated is more rigid and larger panels mean quicker install.  However, the 40 inch wide panels can make some cuts more difficult.  All exposed screws must be lined up to keep it looking nice, too.

So, what’s the other option?  Standing seam steel, that has a board and batten look.  These panels are 13 inches wide, which is better for intricate cuts and are easier to shimmy into the channels.  It is also secured with hidden fasteners, so there are very few exposed screws.  Standing seam was actually about 30 cents cheaper than the corrugated, but the hidden clips bump the price up another 50 cents per square foot.  After talking with the company, measuring, and giving them our cut list, we placed our order.  Then patiently waited for it to be manufactured and tackled a few loose ends inside.

Having never installed steel siding, we thought it best to start on the less visible back side.  Which also happens to be the most difficult area with angled cuts, windows and doors, and a few light boxes, too.  Overall, install went really smooth.  A special steel cutting blade (we bought ours with the steel) makes cuts quick and even.  Channels surround the windows and doors, allowing the steel to tuck inside for a tight seam.

Steel-Siding-Back-Progress

Every two feet or so, clips snap on to the steel, and then get screwed into the wall.  The next piece covers the edge and the process repeats.

Steel-Siding-Hidden-Fastener

Even with the learning curve and funky cuts, the back took less than a complete weekend to finish.

Steel-Siding-on-Back-Wall

Ben kind of freaked out the guy when he picked up the steel by jokingly asking, “If I leave this outside, it won’t rust, will it?”  Our plan is to see how much it weathers over the winter.  If we want to quicken (or even) the process, we can spray it with water.

Steel-Siding-on-Back

Next up, finishing the front and garage sides.  I’m sure everyone, neighbors included, will be happy when we’re finished.

17 thoughts on “Siding of Steel”

  1. What an improvement – I try not to remember the old blue siding. It must be a thrill to be moving towards the end stretch on the outside.

    Reply

  5. I’m so sorry, but I cannot get on board with the steel siding at all. I love the gray wood siding, but that metal stuff looks like it belongs in an industrial zone, not in a neighborhood. Do your neighbors have metal siding? If not, I don’t think they are going to be happy.

    Reply

    1. Hi Jessie!

      Thank you for your honest opinion! I get it-it seems to be a love or hate thing. There’s really no middle ground. It does look much more industrial than most typical siding options. While no one has metal siding, there are a few metal roofs around us. Honestly though, if we were to base our choices on our neighbors (and not what we want), we would have been better off patching the missing siding and painting the old stuff. So far, we’ve had several neighbors come over to give their unsolicited opinions. Everyone says they like it. They could be polite, or actually like it. 🙂

      Thanks!
      Amanda

      Reply

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