Everlast products, including composite siding and epoxy flooring, are engineered to deliver durability, aesthetic appeal, and long-term performance. Proper installation is critical to ensuring these benefits are fully realized. This article outlines the installation procedures for Everlast composite siding and flooring, based on official documentation and manufacturer guidelines. It also highlights key considerations for substrates, primers, expansion joints, and trim installation, all of which are essential for both DIY users and professional contractors.
Installation of Everlast Composite Siding
Everlast Advanced Composite Siding is a durable, low-maintenance alternative to traditional wood or engineered wood siding. Its inorganic mineral and polymer resin composition provides resistance to rot, insect damage, and fading. To maintain these performance characteristics, adherence to the manufacturer’s installation instructions is essential. The following steps and considerations are based on detailed guidance provided in official documentation.
1. Wall Preparation and Substrate Readiness
Before installation, the wall surface must be prepared according to Everlast specifications. The wall should be clean, smooth, and free of debris or protrusions. Proper house wrap or underlayment is recommended to provide additional protection against weather and moisture. Flashing should be applied around chimneys, windows, doors, and other dissimilar surfaces to direct water away from the structure.
According to the manufacturer, Everlast Composite Siding should be installed by certified Everlast contractors. This ensures that the wall is prepared correctly and that the siding is installed in accordance with the manufacturer’s manual. While some experienced DIYers may attempt the installation, it is generally recommended for professional application due to the extensive nature of the work and the need for precise execution.
2. Installation of Starter Strip
A starter strip is installed along the bottom edge of the wall to provide a stable base for the first row of siding panels. It should be level and securely fastened. The starter strip helps to maintain alignment and ensures that the first row of panels is installed correctly.
3. Panel Installation and Expansion Gaps
Everlast panels are installed from the bottom up. The first panel is placed against the starter strip and secured using corrosion-resistant nails or screws. A small gap is left at the ends of the panel to allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes.
Subsequent panels are installed by butting them against the previous panel. Seams should be staggered at least 2 studs (32 inches for 16-inch on-center framing) to meet manufacturer specifications and improve the appearance and durability of the siding. A 1/32-inch gap (or the thickness of a dime) is left between the nail head and the panel to accommodate expansion.
The manufacturer also notes that Everlast siding includes a lip on the backside of the panel, which helps to ensure the panels remain level during installation. This design feature reduces the need for constant leveling checks.
4. Interlocking Joints and Trim Installation
Everlast composite siding features tongue-and-groove joints that interlock to create a seamless and watertight bond. A level is used to ensure that each panel is plumb and straight. Panels should be installed in a continuous run without gaps, as the interlocking design minimizes the risk of water infiltration.
Trim pieces such as J-channels, corner posts, and lineals are used to finish the installation. These trim components are cut to size and installed around windows, doors, and corners. J-channels are nailed every 8 to 12 inches along the flange to allow for expansion and contraction. For mitered corners, L-brackets are recommended to maintain a clean, seamless appearance.
J-channel installation around openings requires precise measurements and cuts. Corners should be mitered to ensure a clean fit, and cut techniques must be used to prevent water from entering the joints. In some cases, a 1x1 piece of wood blocking is required behind the trim to maintain a seamless look at the mitered corners.
5. Handling Special Features and Corners
For 2-story homes or structures with vertical transitions, special techniques are required for outside corners. The first corner is installed according to standard specifications, while the second course is installed flush and secured with a seam bracket to maintain tight joints during expansion and contraction. Longer 20-foot Everlast panels are available for a consistent, no-seam look on outside corners.
J-blocks are also used around electrical outlets, switches, light fixtures, and dryer vents. These vinyl blocks should be ordered based on Everlast color codes or custom fabricated from PVC to match the trim. Proper installation ensures a clean, finished appearance and protects the siding from damage.
6. Final Inspection and Adjustments
Once all panels are installed, the entire exterior surface should be inspected for gaps, misalignments, or imperfections. Any necessary adjustments or corrections should be made to ensure a flawless finish. The manufacturer emphasizes the importance of a final inspection to confirm that the siding has been installed according to specifications.
Installation of Everlast Pro Floor
Everlast Pro Floor is a high-performance epoxy flooring system suitable for residential and commercial applications. Its installation process involves several critical steps, including floor preparation, primer application, and the broadcast of color quartz or decorative polymer flake. Proper execution of these steps is essential to achieving a durable, visually appealing floor.
1. Floor Preparation
Before installation, the concrete floor must be prepared to a surface profile equal to CSP 2-3 as specified by the International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI). The floor should be clean, dry, and free of contaminants such as laitance, glaze, efflorescence, curing compounds, form-release agents, dust, dirt, grease, and oil.
Concrete strength should be at least 2500 psi, and moisture content should be no greater than 3.0 lbs. per 1000 square feet per 24 hours (as measured by ASTM F1869). These requirements ensure that the floor is structurally sound and capable of supporting the epoxy system.
2. Primer and Seed Coat Application
The first step in the epoxy application process is to prime the floor using EEFL011 Everlast® Hi-Grip Primer (Clear). The primer is applied at a rate of 100 square feet per gallon using a 3/16-inch notch squeegee, followed by backrolling with a 3/8-inch nap roller. The roller should be saturated before application to ensure even coverage.
During the primer application, color quartz or decorative polymer flake is broadcast into the wet primer. The flake is released into the air and allowed to fall naturally, similar to snow. A low or heavy toss should be avoided, as it can displace the primer and create voids or high spots. The flake is gradually added until the binder resin appears dry.
It is important to leave a "wet edge" when working in sections to ensure a smooth transition between areas. The primer should not be applied right up to the edge of the previous section, as this can lead to uneven coverage and gaps.
Conclusion
Everlast composite siding and epoxy flooring are high-performance products designed to deliver durability, aesthetics, and long-term value. Proper installation is essential to maintaining these benefits and ensuring that the products perform as intended. For composite siding, careful attention to wall preparation, panel alignment, expansion gaps, and trim installation is required. For epoxy flooring, precise floor preparation, primer application, and flake broadcast techniques are critical to achieving a smooth, durable finish.
Both products are best installed by certified Everlast contractors to ensure compliance with manufacturer specifications and to minimize the risk of errors that could compromise performance. While experienced DIYers may attempt installation, professional assistance is recommended for optimal results.