Siding Installation & Replacement in Rhode Island
Vinyl, James Hardie, and Cedar Siding Built for New England Weather
Your siding is your home’s first line of defense against Rhode Island’s salt air, driving rain, and freeze-thaw winters. At Coastal Construction, we specialize in vinyl siding installation, full siding replacement, and certified James Hardie siding installation. Whether you’re updating a Colonial in Narragansett, protecting a shingle-style cottage in Newport, or refreshing a ranch in Middletown, we help you choose the right material and install it the right way.
A new exterior does more than improve curb appeal. Properly installed siding with a quality weather barrier reduces drafts, protects your framing from moisture, and can increase resale value. Our team handles the entire project, from removing and disposing of your old siding to inspecting the sheathing, repairing rot, and finishing every corner and trim detail.
Why Rhode Island Homes Need Siding Built for the Coast
Coastal Weather Is Tough. Your Siding Should Be Tougher.
Coastal Rhode Island is hard on exteriors. Salt spray, high winds from nor’easters, and humid summers followed by freezing winters cause cheap siding to crack, warp, fade, and trap moisture. That’s why material choice and installation method matter so much here. We recommend and install products rated for northern and coastal climates, and we follow manufacturer specifications so your warranty stays intact.
If your home is in one of Newport’s historic districts, exterior changes like siding replacement may require review by the city before work begins. We can help you understand which materials are likely to fit historic guidelines and prepare for that process.
Siding Replacement in Newport and Across Rhode Island: Signs It’s Time
You may need siding replacement if you notice warped, cracked, or loose panels; peeling paint that returns every few years; soft or rotted wood underneath; rising heating and cooling bills; mold or mildew stains; or faded siding that no longer cleans up. We offer free inspections to tell you whether a repair will do or whether full replacement is the smarter investment.
Siding installation in Rhode Island
How Siding Is Installed, Step by Step
Every siding installation we do on Aquidneck Island and across Rhode Island starts the same way. We remove the old siding, inspect and repair the sheathing, and install a house wrap water-resistive barrier with properly lapped seams and flashing around every window and door. From there, each siding material has its own installation method. Tap a step to learn more.
Before any new siding goes on
- 1Remove the old sidingWe strip the old siding down to the sheathing, protect landscaping, and haul away all debris.
- 2Inspect and repair the sheathingRotted or soft sheathing and trim are replaced so the new siding is fastened to a solid, dry wall.
- 3Install house wrapA water-resistive barrier goes on with seams lapped shingle-style, top over bottom, so water always runs down and out.
- 4Flash windows and doorsEvery opening gets flashing tape and head flashing to keep wind-driven coastal rain out of the walls.
Installation methods by siding type
Vinyl Siding Installation
We hang interlocking vinyl siding panels from a starter strip at the base of the wall. Panels are nailed loosely so they can expand and contract with New England temperature swings, and trim pieces finish every window, door, and corner.
- Starter strip and trimA starter strip is leveled along the bottom of the wall, and J-channel and corner posts are set around windows, doors, and corners.
- Hang panels from the bottom upEach panel locks into the one below it, working up the wall in straight, level courses.
- Nail loosely in the slotsNails go in the center of the nailing slots without being driven tight, leaving room for the panels to move with heat and cold.
- Finish trimUndersill trim, soffit, and fascia finish the job for a clean, weathertight edge.
James Hardie Fiber Cement Siding Installation
James Hardie siding boards are cut to fit and nailed into the wall framing over protective house wrap. We leave the required clearances at rooflines and the ground, flash every joint, and finish with factory ColorPlus color or fresh paint.
- Trim and flashing firstCorner boards, window trim, and kick-out flashing at roof lines go on before the first board.
- Set clearances and layoutBoards are kept the manufacturer’s required distance above the ground and roof lines, and courses are laid out to line up with windows.
- Nail into the framingEach board is nailed into the studs with corrosion-resistant fasteners, with flashing behind every butt joint.
- Seal and finishCut edges are sealed, then ColorPlus boards get touch-up or primed boards are painted your color.
Cedar Shingle and Shake Installation
Cedar shingles are nailed one at a time in overlapping, staggered rows over a breathable barrier. Small gaps let the wood move naturally, and stainless steel nails prevent rust stains in salt air.
- Breathable barrierA breathable wrap or rain-screen mat lets the back of the shingles dry out between storms.
- Double starter courseA doubled first row is set at the bottom of the wall, and a chalk line keeps every course straight.
- Stagger every jointShingles are spaced with small gaps and staggered so no seam lines up with the one below.
- Stainless steel nailsTwo stainless nails per shingle, placed where the next row covers them, so nothing rusts or stains in the salt air.
Clapboard Siding Installation
Each clapboard is primed on all sides, then installed in overlapping rows over a moisture barrier. Corrosion-resistant nails hold them tight, and a final coat of paint or stain seals the wood against coastal weather.
- Prime all sidesBoards are primed on the back, front, and ends before they go up, so moisture can’t soak in.
- Lay out the coursesRows are laid out so they line up neatly with the tops and bottoms of the windows.
- Overlap and nailEach board overlaps the one below and is nailed into the studs with corrosion-resistant nails.
- Seal and paintJoints are sealed and the wall gets a finish coat of paint or stain.
NuCedar PVC Shingle Installation
NuCedar panels give the look of real cedar with low-maintenance PVC. Panels lock together and are fastened through nailing slots that allow for expansion, so they stay straight and never need painting.
- Starter stripA level starter strip sets the first row at the bottom of the wall.
- Lock panels togetherShingle panels interlock side to side and are staggered so the seams disappear.
- Fasten for expansionFasteners go through the nailing slots per the manufacturer’s spacing, so panels can move without buckling.
- Matching trimPre-finished PVC trim completes the look. There’s no painting to do.
Stone Veneer Installation
For stone veneer, we apply a weather barrier and metal lath, then a base coat of mortar. Each stone is set by hand in a natural pattern, and joints are finished to match the look you choose.
- Barrier and metal lathA weather barrier goes on first, then metal lath is fastened to the framing to hold the mortar.
- Scratch coatA base coat of mortar is troweled on and scored so the stone has something to grip.
- Set each stone by handStones are buttered with mortar and pressed into place, starting at the corners and working up in a natural pattern.
- Finish the jointsJoints are filled and tooled to the look you want, from tight dry-stack to full grout lines.
Siding installation questions
How long does it take to install new siding?
Most homes take about one to three weeks, depending on the size of the house, the material, and how much repair work we find under the old siding. Vinyl is usually fastest, and cedar shingles and stone veneer take the longest because each piece is set by hand.
Do you remove the old siding first?
Yes. We remove the old siding so we can inspect the sheathing, fix any rot, and install new house wrap and flashing. Covering old siding hides problems that can come back later.
Is house wrap needed under siding?
Yes. A water-resistive barrier behind the siding is what actually keeps rain out of your walls. Siding sheds most water, but wind-driven rain on the coast always finds a way behind it.
Why use stainless steel nails on cedar shingles?
Regular nails rust in salt air and leave dark streaks down the shingles. Stainless steel nails won’t rust or stain, so the shingles weather evenly.
Do I need a permit to replace siding in Rhode Island?
Requirements vary by town, and homes in historic districts like parts of Newport may need design approval. We’ll tell you what your town requires and handle the paperwork.
Ready for new siding?
We’ll walk your home, show you samples, and give you a free, detailed siding installation estimate.