Installing the Windows and Metal Siding
Hey ya’ll!
I know I just published a post about my new metal roof, but I HAD to come right back and talk about my new metal siding!!
As I’m sure many of you know, I had made the decision to install black metal siding instead of T1-11 siding after this discovery, and boy I am sooo happy with that decision. It’s always such a relief when my choices and designs look just as good in real life as they do in my head.
Installing the metal siding was another project dad and I had plans to do ourselves, but after realizing just how precise one must be when working with metal, and after paying for the small amount we needed, we felt better hiring out. Dad and I are much more capable of doing interior jobs than exterior, and in his own words, “better to hire it out and be done with it.”
Before Derek and his team could install the siding, dad and I applied the plastic house wrap to the lower and master loft levels. Plastic wrap is pretty inexpensive, and act as another barrier between wind and rain.
My view! I unrolled, dad stapled. 
Lower portion done! 
Cutting out and stapling the windows
With the house wrap on the lower level completed, we installed some windows! This, was a process, and definitely not OSHA approved (we’re always joking about how this whole project isn’t up to OSHA standards – too short ladders, loose nails everywhere, uneven ground, janky entrance, etc) but we got it done! I am leaving the frog tape on the windows, as I’m sure they will need a second coat once the exterior is completely done, but having the windows in makes the entire thing seem more like a home, less like a glorified shed.
The kitchen window is 3×6 
This huge window looks small on this giant wall! 
The bathroom window on the left, and the living room window on the right! Both have great views
Thankfully, we were able to install the kitchen, bathroom and kitchen windows ourselves, but seeing as we don’t have a tall enough ladder to reach the second floor, Derek and his team agreed to install those upper windows for us!
Derek and his team installed the metal siding in 2 days. This included laying the aluminum underlayment (a second layer to provide further insulation and protection against the rain, the aluminum facing helps reflect sunlight. I purchased mine from the Amish), 4 upper windows, the metal sheeting, and metal trim pieces! Derek was great about explaining every little step to us, as well as showing us how to install the future deck, and north facing walnut.
I’m in love with it, especially seeing the before/after photos again. The transformation is incredible, not only when compared with what it looked like the day before, but even more so when compared to what the building looked like in August, when we construction started.
Derek and his team did a great job, and they saved dad and I sooo much time and grief. We’re very pleased with the decision to hire out – DIY projects are a huge learning curve, and there’s nothing wrong with letting the professionals step in for certain tasks!
As I am trying to be as transparent as possible with the cost of my tiny home build, the budget breakdown for the metal and labor is below!
| Material | Price | Who Paid |
| Metal Siding | $1600 | Sarah |
| House Wrap | $159 | Dad |
| Siding Installation | $1450 | Dad |
So that’s it! The installation of house wrap, windows, underlayment, metal siding and trim took about a week, and while I’m very thankful for everyone who helped, I never want to do that again!
I was beyond stressed watching this team of strangers work on my precious house – even though I trusted them on the business level, I still felt like I was handing them my child with minimal instructions. I was a ball of worries that week, especially when dad and I installed the kitchen window (rickety ladder, uneven ground, huge window, PIVOT), but I am SO thankful and grateful for every minute of this process. I’ve learned so much, and I can’t wait to share more!
I hope seeing these in-depth updates is helpful, informative, and at the very least, entertaining.
See ya next time! And by next time probably tomorrow – I have sooo many small updates to share!
Sincerely,
Sarah
signedsarah.com 