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VinylSiding

Installation

This guide is published by the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI), a business unit of TheSociety of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (SPI), as a service to the industry. VSI rep-resents producers of vinyl siding and suppliers to the vinyl siding industry. Theinformation provided in this publication is offered in good faith and believed tobe reliable, but is made without warranty, express or implied, as to merchantabil-ity, fitness for a particular purpose, or any other matter. SPI and VSI do notendorse the proprietary products or processes of any manufacturer.

This publication is not intended to provide specific advice, legal or otherwise, onparticular products or processes. Readers should consult with their own legaland technical advisors, vinyl siding suppliers, and other appropriate sources(including but not limited to product or package labels, technical bulletins, orsales literature) that contain information about known and reasonably foresee-able health and safety risks of their proprietary products and processes. SPI, itsmembers, and contributors do not assume any responsibility for the users' com-pliance with applicable laws and regulations, nor for any persons relying on theinformation contained in this guide.

Information about individual manufacturers' products contained herein has beenprovided by those manufacturers, who are solely responsible for the accuracyand completeness of the data.

For general information about vinyl siding products, contact the Vinyl SidingInstitute at:

1801 K Street, NW, Suite 600K Washington, DC 20006-1301

Web address: www.vinylsiding.orgVinyl Siding Information Center (VSIC): 1-888-FOR-VSI-1 (1-888-367-8741)

Use of Manufacturers' Instructions Some specialized products may require unique installation instructions.Please contact the manufacturer directly for information about installingthose products.

Copyright © (2002) - The Society of the Plastics Industry, Inc. (Vinyl Siding Institute). All rights reserved. No part ofthis work may be reproduced or used in any form or by any means—graphic, electronic, or mechanical, includingphotocopying, recording, taping, or information storage and retrieval systems—without the written permission ofthe copyright owner.

CCOONNTTEENNTTSS

Foreword ....................................................................................................................................1

Important Notes ..........................................................................................................................2

Fire Safety Information ..........................................................................................................2Storage and Transportation....................................................................................................2Basic Installation Rules ..........................................................................................................3Cleanup ..................................................................................................................................4 Disposal..................................................................................................................................5

Terms to Know............................................................................................................................6

Materials, Tools, and Accessories ............................................................................................8

Basic Installation Tools and Equipment..................................................................................8Special Tools ..........................................................................................................................9Accessories ............................................................................................................................9

Getting Started ........................................................................................................................10

How to Measure ..................................................................................................................10Estimating Required Materials ......................................................................................10Estimating Worksheet ....................................................................................................12

Fastener Choices ................................................................................................................13Fastening Procedure ............................................................................................................14Cutting the Siding ................................................................................................................15Preparing the Walls ..............................................................................................................16

New Construction ..........................................................................................................16Residing..........................................................................................................................16

Installing Accessories ............................................................................................................17

Starter Strip ..........................................................................................................................17Outside and Inside Corner Posts ........................................................................................18Windows, Doors, and Roof Lines ........................................................................................19Gable and Trim ....................................................................................................................21

Horizontal Siding Installation..................................................................................................22

Installing Panels ..................................................................................................................22Fitting Siding Around Fixtures ..............................................................................................23Fitting Under Windows ........................................................................................................23Sidewall Flashing at Roof Lines ..........................................................................................24Finishing at the Top ..............................................................................................................25Transition from Horizontal to Vertical ..................................................................................26Transition from Brick to Vinyl Siding ....................................................................................26

CCOONNTTEENNTTSS ((CCOONNTT..))

Vertical Siding and Accessories Installation..........................................................................27

Preparation............................................................................................................................27Accessories ..........................................................................................................................27

Installing Outside and Inside Corner Posts ....................................................................27Bottom Receiver ..............................................................................................................28Window, Door, and Roof Trim ........................................................................................28

Sidewalls ..............................................................................................................................29Starter Strip ....................................................................................................................29Panels..............................................................................................................................30Optional Method for Gable End Sidewalls ......................................................................30Windows and Doors ........................................................................................................30Corners............................................................................................................................30Gable Ends......................................................................................................................31

Soffit Installation ......................................................................................................................32

Preparation............................................................................................................................32Installation Over Open Eaves ..............................................................................................33Installation Over Enclosed Eaves ........................................................................................35Porch Ceilings ......................................................................................................................36

New Construction Projects ..............................................................................................36Residing Projects ............................................................................................................37

Other Recommendations..........................................................................................................37

Replacing a Damaged Panel ................................................................................................37Residing Over Asbestos Siding ............................................................................................38Capping a Corner Post ........................................................................................................38Repairing a Damaged Corner Post ......................................................................................38Historic Restoration ..............................................................................................................39

FFOORREEWWOORRDDKnown for its outstanding performance qualities, vinyl siding is increasinglythe material of choice for homeowners, remodeling contractors, architects,and builders. Compared to other siding products, vinyl is attractive, durable,easy to maintain, and cost-effective. Siding is available in a variety of tex-tures, ranging from matte surfaces to deeply embossed wood grain surfaces,which simulate wood clapboard siding.

For best results, it is recommended that vinyl sidingmeet the requirements of the American Society forTesting and Materials (ASTM) D3679–StandardSpecification for Rigid Vinyl Siding. As a service tothe industry, the Vinyl Siding Institute (VSI) spon-sors a program that allows manufacturers to certify,with independent, third-party verification, that theirsiding meets or exceeds this specification. For alisting of certified products, see VSI's Web site atwww.vinylsiding.org or call the Vinyl Siding InformationCenter at 1-888-FOR-VSI-1 (1-888-367-8741). In addition, look for the certification label on boxes of siding (Fig. 1).

This manual sets forth the basic guidelines for vinyl siding installation. Theinstructions herein are based, in part, on ASTM Specification D4756, thestandard method for installation of vinyl siding and soffit. Updated informa-tion has been added as necessary. Additionally, it is recommended thatinstallers review local building codes and manufacturers' literature forvariations that may apply to specific products or geographic areas.

The method of applying vinyl siding and soffit is essentially the same for newconstruction and residing. However, where required, special instructions fornew construction and residing are included, as well as recommendations forhistoric restoration. In all applications, care should be exercised to properlyprepare the structure. See the “Basic Installation Rules” and additionaldetails throughout this document for proper installation techniques.

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Fire Safety Information Exterior vinyl building materials require little maintenance for many years.Nevertheless, common sense dictates that builders and suppliers of vinylproducts store, handle, and install vinyl materials in a manner that avoidsdamage to the product and/or the structure. Owners and installers shouldtake a few simple steps to protect vinyl building materials from fire.

To Home and Building Owners: Rigid vinyl siding is made from organicmaterials and will melt or burn when exposed to a significant source of flameor heat. Building owners, occupants, and outside maintenance personnelshould always take normal precautions to keep sources of fire, such asgrills, and combustible materials, such as dry leaves, mulch, and trash,away from vinyl siding.

To the Building Trades, Specifiers, Professionals, and to Do-It-YourselfInstallers: When rigid vinyl siding is exposed to significant heat or flame, thevinyl will soften, sag, melt, or burn, and may thereby expose material under-neath. Care must be exercised when selecting underlayment materials becausemany underlayment materials are made from organic materials that are com-bustible. It is important to ascertain the fire properties of underlayment materialsprior to installation. All building materials should be installed in accor-dance with local, state, and federal building code and fire regulations.

Storage and TransportationWhen transporting vinyl siding to a job site, make certain to keep the cartonsflat and supported along their entire length. At the job site, take the followingprecautions when storing panels:

■ Store the cartons on a flat surface and support the entire length of the cartons.

■ Keep the cartons dry.

■ Store the cartons away from areas where falling objects or other construction activity may cause damage.

■ Do not store the cartons in stacks more than 12 boxes high.

■ Do not store the cartons in any location where temperatures may exceed 130°F (e.g., on blacktop pavement during unusually hot weather or under dark tarps or plastic wraps without air circulation).

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BBAASSIICC IINNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN RRUULLEESSBefore getting started, it is important to review several rules of thumb for vinylsiding application. The following rules, which come up throughout this guide, arecritical for proper vinyl siding installation:

1. Installed panels must move freely from side to side.

2. When installing a siding panel, push up from the bottom until the lock is fully engaged with the piece below it. Without stretching the panel, reachup and nail it into place.

3. Fasten nails or other fasteners in the center of the nailing slot.

4. Do not force the panels up or down when fastening in position.

5. Do not drive the head of the nail tightly against the siding nail hem. Allow 1/32" (about the thickness of a dime) clearance between the fastenerhead and the siding panel. Drive nails straight and level to preventdistortion and buckling of the panel.

6. Leave a minimum of 1/4" clearance at all openings and stops to allow for normal expansion and contraction. When installing in temperatures below 40°F, increase minimum clearance to 3/8".

7. Do not caulk the panels where they meet the receiver of inside corners, outside corners, or J-trim. Do not caulk the overlap joints.

8. Do not face-nail or staple through siding. Vinyl siding expands and contracts with outside temperature changes. Face-nailing can result in ripples in the siding.

9. In residing, furring or removal of uneven original siding may be necessary.

10. In new construction, avoid the use of green lumber as the underlayment. Keep in mind that siding can only be as straight and stable as what lies under it.

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Cleanup The beauty of vinyl siding is maintained with little effort. Although vinyl sidingwill get dirty, like anything exposed to the atmosphere, a heavy rain will dowonders in cleaning it. Or, it's possible to wash it down with an ordinary gar-den hose. If neither rain nor hosing does a satisfactory job, follow these sim-ple instructions:

1. Use an ordinary, long-handled car washing brush. This brush has soft bristles, and the handle fastens onto the end of the hose. It allows the siding to be washed just like a car. Avoid using stiff bristle brushes or abrasive cleaners, which may change the gloss of the cleaned area and cause the siding to look splotchy.

2. To remove soot and grime found in industrial areas, wipe down the siding with a solution made up of the following:

■ 1/3 cup powdered detergent (e.g., Fab®, Tide®, or equivalent powder detergent)*

■ 2/3 cup powdered household cleaner (e.g., Soilax®, Spic & Span®, or equivalent)*

■ 1 gallon water

3. If mildew is a problem, use the solution previously mentioned, but add 1 quart liquid laundry bleach.

4. When washing down your entire house, start at the bottom and work up to the top in order to prevent streaking.

5. For stubborn stains, use the following chart:

* Cleaning materials are listed in alphabetical order.

4

Follow the precautionary labeling instructions on the cleaning agent container.Protect shrubs from direct contact with cleaning agents.

DisposalDispose of all scrap or excess trim in a manner that is consistent with localand state rules and regulations. For information on recycling leftover vinylsiding scrap, order a how-to guide from the American Plastics Council, at 1-800-243-5790, or the Vinyl Siding Information Center, at 1-888-FOR-VSI-1(1-888-367-8741).

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STAIN CLEANERS*

Bubble Gum Fantastik®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, or solution of vinegar (30 percent) and water (70 percent)

Crayon Lestoil®

DAP (Oil-based caulk) Fantastik®

Felt-tip Pen Fantastik® or water-based cleaners

Grass Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, or Windex®

Lipstick Fantastik® or Murphy's Oil Soap®

Lithium Grease Fantastik®, Lestoil®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, or Windex®

Mold and Mildew Fantastik® or solution of vinegar (30 percent) and water (70 percent)

Motor Oil Fantastik®, Lysol®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, or Windex®

Oil Soft Scrub®

Paint Brillo® Pad or Soft Scrub®

Pencil Soft Scrub®

Rust Fantastik®, Murphy's Oil Soap®, or Windex®

Tar Soft Scrub®

Top Soil Fantastik®, Lestoil®, or Murphy's Oil Soap®

*Cleaning materials are listed in alphabetical order.SPI does not endorse proprietary products or processes and makes no warranties for the products referenced herein. Reference to proprietary names is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to imply that there are not equally effective alternatives.

TTEERRMMSS TTOO KKNNOOWWBackerboard—a flat material used on the face of the house, applied between the studsand the siding (or over existing wall surface), to provide an even surface for installingvinyl siding.

Buttlock—the bottom edge of a siding or soffit panel, or accessory piece, opposite thenailing slots, which locks onto to the preceding panel.

Channel—the area of the accessory trim or corner post where siding or soffit panels areinserted. Channels also refer to the trim itself, and are named for the letters of the alpha-bet they resemble (e.g., J-channel, F-channel, etc.).

Course—a row of panels, one panel wide, running the length of the house from one sideto the other, or, in the case of vertical siding, from top to bottom.

Drip Cap/Head Flashing—an accessory installed with vertical siding to ensure that waterdrips away from panels and does not infiltrate them; it is also used as a vertical base.

Double Channel Lineal—a siding accessory that joins two soffit panels.

Face—refers to the side of a siding or soffit panel that is showing once the panel hasbeen installed.

Face-nailing—the action of fastening directly onto the “face” side of a panel (instead of

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using the nail hem slot). This practice is generally not used in siding installation.

Fascia Board—a board attached to the ends of the rafters between the roofing materialand the soffit overhang. Fascia cap is the covering around that board.

Flashing—a thin, flat material, usually aluminum, positioned under or behind J-chan-nels, corner posts, windows, etc., to keep draining water from penetrating the home.

Furring/Furring Strip—usually a wood 1" x 2" strip used to even a surface in prepara-tion for installing vinyl siding. To “fur” a surface means to apply these strips.

Lap—to overlap the ends of two siding panels or accessory pieces to allow for expan-sion and contraction of the vinyl product.

Lug/Crimp—the raised “ears” or tabs on a siding panel, created by a snap lock punch,which can be used to lock a siding panel into place when the nailing hem has beenremoved.

Miter—to make a diagonal cut, beveled to a specific angle (usually 45°). Sometimes mitercuts are made into an overlapping siding or soffit panel surface, to provide a neater appearance.

Nailing Hem (or Flange)—the section of siding or acces-sories where the nailing slots are located.

Plumb—a position or measurement that is truly and exactly verti-cal, 90° from a level surface.

Scoring—running a utility knife blade, a sharpened awl, scoringtool, or other sharp implement across a soffit or siding panelface without cutting all the way through the panel. This weakensthe vinyl surface in a specific area and allows the panel to bebent and broken off cleanly.

Shim—a building material used to even a surface prior toinstalling vinyl siding.

Soffit—material used to enclose the horizontal underside of aneave, cornice, or overhang. Soffit is designed to be installedlengthwise from wall to fascia.

Starter Strip—an accessory applied directly to the surface of the building and used tosecure the first course of siding to the home.

Underlayment—weather-resistant material placed under vinyl siding panels.

Utility Trim—a piece of trim used any time the top lock has been removed from the sid-ing, to secure a siding panel. Also referred to as “undersill” or “finish” trim.

Weep Holes—openings cut into siding or accessories to allow for water runoff.

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Basic Installation Tools and EquipmentCommon hand tools, such as a hammer, fine-toothsaw, square, chalkline, level, and tape measure, areneeded for proper installation (Fig. 4). Safety glassesare recommended for eye protection. Other basictools include:

Power Saw

A bench or radial-arm power saw can speed the cutting ofthe siding. A fine-tooth blade (12 to 16 teeth per inch)should be used with the blade installed in the reversedirection. Some applicators prefer a hand-held power saw.In extremely cold weather, move the saw through thematerial slowly to prevent chipping or cracking (Fig. 5).

Utility Knife

Vinyl is easy to cut, trim, and score with a utility knife orscoring tool (Fig. 6).

Tin Snips

Good quality tin snips or compound aviation-type snips willspeed the cutting and shaping of the vinyl (Fig. 6).

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Special ToolsSnap Lock Punch

A snap lock punch is used to punch lugs in the cut edges of siding to be used for the top or finishing course at the top of a wall, or underneath a window (Fig. 7).

Nail Hole Slot Punch

Occasionally, it may be necessary to elongate a nailhem slot. The hole is elongated to allow for expansionand contraction (Fig. 7).

Unlocking Tool (Zip-Lock Tool)

Remove or replace a siding panel with the unlocking tool.Insert the curved end of the tool under the end of the panel and hook onto the back lip of the buttlock. To disengage the lock, pull down and slide the tool along the length of the panel. Use the same procedure to relock a panel (Fig. 7).

AccessoriesOutside and Inside Corner Posts

Corner posts are used to provide a finished edge at an inside or outside corner. The siding from adjoining walls fits neatly into the inside or outside corner post channels.Appropriate widths of channel openings are available to accommodate various configurations of siding.

Trim and Molding

A complete line of accessories is used to give every installation a professional appearance, while providing a weather-resistant facade. Some accessories include trim, starter strips, molding, F-channels, drip caps, and J-channels (Fig. 8). Each of these accessories will be addressed in more detail throughout this manual.

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Sheathing/Backerboard

Vinyl siding should be applied over a sheathing that provides a smooth, flatsurface. Consult local building codes for sheathing requirements. Vinyl sidingshould never be applied directly to studs without sheathing. As an alternative,installation of specific types of contoured foam underlayments for variousstyles of vinyl siding are available. Some manufacturers of vinyl siding do notrecommend the use of drop-in backers with certain vinyl siding configurations.

Weather Barrier

Vinyl siding should be installed over a continuous weather-resistant barrierto stop the intrusion of incidental water. See your local building code officialfor requirements in your area.

Flashing

Code-compliant flashing should be integrated with the weather-resistant bar-rier and applied around windows, doors, and other openings. Flashingshould also be applied to inside and outside corners, and the intersection ofwalls and roofing to prevent water infiltration.

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How to MeasureEstimating Required Materials

■ All houses can be broken down intoshapes of rectangles or triangles, or acombination of both.

■ The area to be sided can be deter-mined by measuring the height andwidth of the house, including windows(Fig. 9).

■ Total all of the measurements for theareas to be sided. Windows and doorsare not usually deducted. Includingthem will provide an allowance factorfor waste. If the windows and doorsare extremely large (such as a garageor sliding glass doors), some deduc-tions can be made. (Fig. 10-12).

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■ To estimate the amount ofstarter strip required, mea-sure the linear feet aroundthe entire base of thehouse.

■ Add a factor of 10 percent toall material estimates to allowfor waste.

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EEssttiimmaattiinngg WWoorrkksshheeeettUse the following worksheet to estimate the required materials*:

Siding Walls ______square feetGable ends ______square feetDormer sides ______square feetUpper gambrel walls ______square feetTotal wall surface area ______square feet (A)

Large areas not to be covered:(garage doors/sliding doors) ______square feet

x 0.50 =Uncovered area ______square feet (B)Subtract B from A for

Total net surface area ______square feet

Soffit ______square feet

Porch Ceiling ______square feet

Lattice ______linear feet

Accessories Starter strip ______linear feetUtility trim ______linear feet

Receiving channel J-channel ______linear feetDesigner J-channel ______linear feetFlexible J-channel ______linear feetF-channel ______linear feet3 1/2" /5" lineals ______linear feetDual undersill trim ______linear feet

Outside corners Outside corner post ______linear feetDesigner corner trim ______linear feetRestoration corners ______linear feet

Inside corners Inside corner post ______linear feetJ-channel ______linear feet

Other Soffit cove trim ______linear feetSoffit double channel lineal ______linear feetU-channel (for lattice) ______linear feetLight blocks ______Width of accessory recess opening:(circle one) 1/2" 5/8" 3/4" 1 1/4"

Nails Pounds requiredLength (1 1/2" minimum) ______

Tools needed __ hammer __ tin snips __ tape measure__ chalkline __ utility knife __ level __ square __ hacksaw __ power saw__ nail hole slot punch __ snap lock punch__ unlocking tool __ fine-tooth saw blade

* Add a factor of 10 percent to all material estimates to allow for waste.

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Fastener ChoicesUse aluminum, galvanized steel, or other corrosion-resistant nails, staples,or screws when installing vinyl siding. Aluminum trim pieces require alu-minum or stainless steel fasteners. All fasteners must be able to penetratenot less than 3/4" into framing or furring (Fig. 13). (Review your local buildingcodes for variations that may apply to specific geographic areas.)

Nails

Nail heads should be 5/16" minimum in diameter. Shank should be 1/8" indiameter (Fig. 13).

Screw Fasteners

Screw fasteners can be used if the screws do not restrict the normal expan-sion and contraction movement of the vinyl siding panel on the wall. Screwsmust be centered in the slot with a minimum 1/32" space between the screwhead and the vinyl. Screws must be able to penetrate not less than 3/4" intoframing or furring and should be:

■ Size #8, truss head or pan head.

■ Corrosion-resistant, self-tapping sheet metal type.

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Vinyl siding can expand and contract 1/2" or moreover a 12' 6" length with changes in temperature.Whether using a nail, screw, or staple to fasten thesiding, the following basic rules must be followed:

■ Make sure the panels arefully locked along the length ofthe bottom, but do not forcethem up tight when fastening.

■ Do not drive the head of the fastener tightly against the siding nail hem. Leave a minimumof 1/32" (the thickness of a dime) between thefastener head and the vinyl. Tight nailing,screwing, or stapling will cause the vinylsiding to buckle with changes in tempera-ture (Fig. 14).

■ When fastening, start in the center of thepanel and work toward the ends.

■ Center the fasteners in the slots to permitexpansion and contraction of the siding (Fig. 15).

■ Drive fasteners straight and level to prevent distortion and buckling of the panel (Fig. 16).

■ Space the fasteners a maximum of 16" apartfor the horizontal siding panels, every 12" forthe vertical siding panels, and every 8" to 10"for the accessories. Start fastening vertical sid-ing and corner posts in the top of the upper-most slots to hold them in position. Place allother fasteners in the center of the slots (Fig. 17).

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Staples

If staples are being used instead of nails or screws, they must (Fig. 18):

■ Not be less than 16-gauge semi-flattened to an ellipticalcross-section.

■ Penetrate not less than 3/4" into framing or furring.

■ Be wide enough in the crown to allow free movement of the siding (1/32" away from the nailing hem).

Cutting the SidingWhen cutting vinyl siding, follow these guidelines:

■ Safety goggles are always recommended for all cutting and nailing operations. As on any constructionjob, use proper safety equipment and follow safeconstruction practices.

■ With a circular saw, install the fine-toothed (plywood)blade backwards on the saw for a smoother, cleanercut, especially in cold weather. (Fig. 19.) Cut slowly.Do not attempt to cut materials other than vinyl with areversed direction saw blade.

Caution! Use of a backwards blade on any othermaterials could be unsafe.

■ With tin snips, avoid closing the blades completely at the end of a stroke for a neater, cleaner cut (Fig. 20).

■ With a utility knife or scoring tool, score the vinyl face up with mediumpressure and snap it in half. It is not necessary to cut all the waythrough the vinyl (Fig. 21).

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Preparing the WallsA flat, level wall surface is necessary for proper installation of vinyl siding.Install flashing before starting to apply the siding.

New Construction

■ A weather-resistant barrier should be applied to the house priorto installing vinyl siding. Consult your local building code officialfor requirements in your area.

■ Tip: To reduce the possibility of the floor-plate compression, dry-wall, roofing, or other heavy building materials should be installedor stored throughout the house prior to the installation of vinyl sid-ing. Floor-plate compression can result in buckled siding at theintersection of the floor and the wall.

Residing

■ Nail down loose boards ofexisting siding, and replaceany rotten ones (Fig. 22). Donot install vinyl siding overrotting wood.

■ Scrape off loose caulk andre-caulk around windows,doors, and other areas to pro-tect from moisture penetra-tion.

■ Remove all protrusions suchas gutters, downspouts, andlight fixtures.

■ Check all walls for evenness andinstall furring strips where necessary(Fig. 23).

16

NNOOTTEE:: IInn ccaasseess wwhheerree tthhee lloowweerr ppoorrttiioonn ooff aahhoorriizzoonnttaall ssiiddiinngg ppaanneell mmuusstt bbee ttrriimmmmeedd ssootthhaatt iitt mmaayy bbee iinnssttaalllleedd oovveerr sstteeppss,, ppoorrcchheess,,eettcc..,, tthhee ppaanneell sshhoouulldd bbee bbuuiilltt oouutt ((““ffuurrrreedd””))ffoorr pprrooppeerr aannggllee aanndd rriiggiiddiittyy.. UUttiilliittyy ttrriimm ccaannbbee uusseedd ttoo sseeaall tthhee ccuutt eeddggee ooff tthhee ppaanneell aannddtthheenn sseeccuurreedd ttoo tthhee wwaallll..

FFiigguurree 2222..

NNaaiill lloooosseebbooaarrddss

FFuurrrriinnggssttrriippss

RReeppllaaccee rrootttteennbbooaarrddss

FFiigguurree 2233..

17

IINNSSTTAALLLLIINNGG AACCCCEESSSSOORRIIEESSBefore the siding itself can be hung, a number of accessories must beinstalled first, including starter strips, corner posts, window flashing, trim,and J-channels over the roof lines.

Starter StripIn order for the siding to be installed properly in a level fashion, the starterstrip at the bottom of the wall must be level.

■ Determine the lowest point of the wall that will be sided; from thatpoint, measure up 1/4" less than the width of the starter strip andpartially drive a nail at one corner.

■ Attach a chalkline; go to the next cor-ner and pull the line taut.

■ Make sure the line is level by using aline level or a 4' level.

■ Snap the chalkline and repeat the pro-cedure around the entire house.

■ Optional method to determining the position of the starter strip innew construction and some residingapplications: Measure down from thesoffit at one corner of the house to thetop of the foundation and subtract 1/4"and the width of the starter strip.Make a mark on the wall and recordthe measurement. Transfer the mea-surement to the other corner of thewall. Snap a chalk line in between thecorners at the marks. Repeat the pro-cedure around the entire house.

■ Using the chalkline as a guide, install the top edge of the starterstrip along the bottom of the chalkline, nailing at 10" intervals.Allow space for the corner posts, J-channels, etc.

■ Keep the ends of starter strips atleast 1/4" apart to allow for expan-sion (Fig. 24).

■ Nail in the center of the starter stripnailing slots.

NNOOTTEE:: WWhheenn iinnssuullaattiioonn oorr

bbaacckkeerrbbooaarrdd iiss uusseedd,, ffuurr tthhee

ssttaarrtteerr ssttrriipp,, iiff nneecceessssaarryy,, ttoo

aaccccoommmmooddaattee tthhiicckknneessss.. FFoorr aa

vveerrttiiccaall ssiiddiinngg ssttaarrtteerr ssttrriipp,, sseeee

tthhee sseeccttiioonn oonn vveerrttiiccaall ssiiddiinngg..

11//44"

FFiigguurree 2244..

NNOOTTEE:: IInn cceerrttaaiinn ssiittuuaattiioonnss,, iitt mmaayy

bbee nneecceessssaarryy ttoo uussee JJ--cchhaannnneell aass

aa ssttaarrtteerr ssttrriipp;; rreemmeemmbbeerr ttoo ddrriillll

11//44"" wweeeepphhoolleess eevveerryy 2244""..

Outside and Inside Corner Posts■ A water-resistant material should

used to flash the inside and out-side corners a minimum of 10"on each side before installationof the corner posts (Fig. 25).

■ Place the corner post in position,allowing a 1/4" gap between the topof the post and the eave or soffit.Position a nail at the top of the upperslot on both sides of the corner post,leaving a 1/32"gap between the nailheads and the corner posts. The cor-ner post hangs from these nails. Thebalance of the nailing should be inthe center of the slot, 8" to 12" apart,again leaving 1/32" between the nailhead and the corner post. Thisallows for the expansion and con-traction to occur at the bottom. Thecorner post should extend 3/4" belowthe starter strip. Make sure the postsare plumb (i.e., vertically straight)(Fig. 26 and 27).

■ If more than one length ofcorner post is required,overlap the upper pieceover the lower piece by cut-ting away 1" of the nailingflange on the top piece.Overlap 3/4", allowing 1/4"for expansion. This methodwill produce a visible jointbetween the two posts, butwill allow water to flow overthe joint, reducing thechance of water infiltration.

18

FFiigguurree 2255..

FFiigguurree 2266..

FFiigguurree 2277..

1100"1100"

88"--1122"

11//44" ssppaaccee aatt ttoopp ooff wwaallll

11//44" ssppaaccee aatt ttoopp ooff wwaallll

NNOOTTEE:: IInnssttaallll vviinnyyll ssooffffiitt aanndd ffaasscciiaa bbeeffoorree

iinnssttaalllliinngg oouuttssiiddee aanndd iinnssiiddee ccoorrnneerr ppoossttss..

19

Windows, Doors, and Roof LinesWindow Flashing

The following instructions should befollowed when applying window flashing:

■ Apply the flashing on theunderside of the window first(Fig. 28).

■ Follow this application withflashing on the sides of thewindow. Make sure to overlapthe bottom flashing (Fig. 29).

■ Finally, apply the flashing at thetop of the window.

The flashing should extend past the nailflanges of any accessory to prevent water infil-tration through the opening. The flashingshould be long enough to direct water over thenail flange of the last course of siding (Fig. 30).Use this example as a model for applyingflashing to other openings such as electricaloutlets and doors.

Trim

J-channel is used around windows and doorsto receive the siding. Follow the steps belowwhen applying trim.

■ Cut and bend the tab of the top pieceof J-channel down to provide flashingover the side J-channel.

■ Fold the bottom end of the side pieceof J-channel inward at the bottom ofthe window, to fit over the existing J-channel to prevent water from enter-ing under the sill.

FFiigguurree 2288..

FFiigguurree 2299..

FFiigguurree 3300..

NNOOTTEE:: TThhee ffllaasshhiinngg iiss

lloonngg eennoouugghh ttoo ddiirreecctt

wwaatteerr oovveerr tthhee nnaaiill

ffllaannggee ooff tthhee llaasstt

ccoouurrssee ooff ccoommpplleettee

ssiiddiinngg ppaanneellss..

■ Cut the side J-chan-nel members longerthan the height of thewindow or door, andnotch the channel atthe top.

■ Miter cut the freeflange at a 45° angleand bend the tabdown to provide flash-ing over the sidemembers (Fig. 31). Asimilar miter and tabmay be provided at thebottom of the window,depending on the sill’s condition. The J-channel should fit snug tothe window.

J-Channel Over Roof Lines

■ Install the flashing before the J-channel to prevent water infiltra-tion along the intersection of a roof and wall.

■ Keep the J-channel approximately 1/2" from the roof line. Chalk astraight line up the roof flashing to guide J-channel installation.Tip: You can use another J-channel laid over the shingles as aspacer to create the straight line desired.

■ Overlap the J-channel (lapping the upper piece over the lowerpiece) if it is necessary to use more than one piece.

■ Extend the J-channel past the edge of the roof, channeling waterinto the gutter, in order to ensure proper runoff.

■ With dark shingles, or a south or west exposure, it is recom-mended to either use a metal J-channel or to install the vinylJ-channel as far away from theroofing as is aestheticallyacceptable, having first ensuredthat there is sufficient flashingbehind the J-channel to preventwater infiltration.

20

FFiigguurree 3311..

NNOOTTEE:: VViinnyyll JJ--cchhaannnneellss sshhoouulldd nnoott bbee iinnddiirreecctt ccoonnttaacctt wwiitthh rrooooffiinngg sshhiinngglleess,, ssiinncceetthhee sshhiinngglleess mmaayy ttrraannssffeerr eennoouugghh hheeaatt ttootthhee vviinnyyll JJ--cchhaannnneell ttoo ccaauussee iittss ddiissttoorrttiioonn..

JJ--cchhaannnneell

4455° CCuutt

JJ--cchhaannnneell

BBeenndd oovveerr

CCuutt aapppprrooxxiimmaattee

wwiiddtthh ooff nnaaiill ffllaannggee

21

■ Fasten the nail, screw, or sta-ple that is closest to the roofline at the far end of the nailhem slot, to ensure that sidingwill expand away from the J-channel (Fig. 32).

Gable and TrimBefore applying siding to the gables,the J-channel should be installed toreceive the siding at the gable ends(Fig. 33):

■ Where the left and right sec-tions meet at the gablepeak, let one of the sectionsbutt into the peak with theother section overlapping.

■ A miter cut should be made on the face flange of this piece forbetter appearance.

■ Fasten the J-channel every 8" to 12".

■ If more than one length of J-channel is required to span a wallsurface, be sure to overlap the J-channels by 3/4".

FFiigguurree 3322..

FFiigguurree 3333..

FFiirrsstt nnaaiill

HHoorriizzoonnttaall ssiiddiinngg

JJ--cchhaannnneell

RRooooff ffllaasshhiinngg

11//22" mmiinn..ggaapp

HHOORRIIZZOONNTTAALL SSIIDDIINNGG IINNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN

Installing Panels■ The first course (row of panels)

should be placed in the starterstrip and securely locked alongthe entire length of the sidingpanel. Make sure the panel issecurely locked before fastening.

■ Fasten the panels in the centerof the nailing slots (see page 14for specific information on fas-tening and fasteners). Allowanceshould be made for expansionand contraction by leaving a 1/4"gap between the siding and allcorner posts and channels(increase to 3/8" when installingin temperatures below 40°F).

■ Do not drive the head of thefastener tightly against the nailslot. Leave 1/32" between thefastener head and the vinyl.

■ Do not force the panels up ordown when fastening. Panellocks should be fully engaged;however, the panels should notbe under vertical tension or com-pression when they are fastened.

■ Since vinyl siding moves as the temperature changes, make cer-tain that the vinyl panels can move freely in a side-to-side direc-tion once fastened.

■ Check every fifth or sixth course for horizontal alignment (Fig. 34).Also check siding alignment with adjoining walls.

■ When panels overlap, make sure they overlap by one half the lengthof the notch at the end of the panel, or approximately 1" (Fig. 35).

■ Stagger the siding end laps so that no two courses (rows of pan-els) are aligned vertically, unless separated by at least threecourses (rows of panels).

22

FFiigguurree 3344..

FFiigguurree 3355..

11"

23

■ Always overlap joints away fromentrances and away from the point ofgreatest traffic. This will improve theoverall appearance of the installation(Fig. 36).

Fitting Siding Around FixturesFor handling protrusions around the wall, refer tothe figure (Fig. 37) for hand fabricating, or usemanufacturers' accessories specifically designedfor this purpose. In addition, VSI suggests the following tips:

■ Always begin a new course of siding at thefixture to avoid excess lap joints.

■ Cut a slot 1/4" bigger than the fixture.

■ When cutting, match the shape and contourof the obstruction.

Fitting Under WindowsTo mark the section to be cut, perform the following:

■ Hold the panel under the window and markthe width of the window opening on thepanel. Add approximately 1/4" to bothsides to allow for expansion and contrac-tion of the siding. These marks represent thevertical cuts (Fig. 38).

■ Lock a small piece of scrap siding into thelower panel next to the window. This will beused as a template for the horizontal cuts.Mark it 1/4" below the sill height.

■ Transfer the horizontal measurement to thepanel, which will be installed under the win-dow. Measurement may not be the same onboth sides of the window.

■ Cut the panel with tin snips and a utility knife.

FFiigguurree 3366..

FFiigguurree 3377..

FFiigguurree 3388..

11//44"

11//44"

11//44"

The cut panel is now ready for installation under thewindow. Perform the following:

■ Using a snap lock punch, punch the vinylsiding along the cut edge every 6" so theraised lug is on the outside face.

■ Install utility trim under the window, as areceiver for the cut siding. Utility trim isused any time the top lock has beenremoved from the siding. Furring may beneeded to maintain the face of the panel atthe desired angle.

■ Install the siding panel, makingsure the lugs (from the snap lockpunch) lock into the utility trim (Fig.39).

Sidewall Flashing at Roof Lines■ Run the siding until the last full

course under the roof area.

■ Cut a diverter from aluminum trimsheet, making sure it sits on thenail hem of the last full course (Fig.40). Also make sure to slip it behindall J-channels and roof flashing(similar to flashing the bottom ofwindow detail shown on page 19).

■ Cut the next piece of siding, makingsure the vertical lap falls behind theroof flashing and roof J-channel(Fig. 41).

■ Cut a small piece of siding that willbe placed on top of the previouspiece of siding and sits in the roofJ-channel (Fig. 42).

24

FFiigguurree 3399..

FFiigguurree 4400..

IInnssttaallll ccuutteeddggee iinn ttrriimm

SSnnaapp lloocckk lluuggss

UUttiilliittyy ttrriimm

FFiigguurree 4411..

CCoorrnneerr PPoosstt

RRooooff

JJ--CChhaannnneell

NNaaiill HHeemm

DDiivveerrtteerr

RRooooff FFllaasshhiinngg

JJ--CChhaannnneell


SSiiddiinngg

25

■ Install the remaining course of siding.Water running behind the panel will bedirected by the diverter into the butt ofthe panel, draining out in the weepholes.

Finishing at the TopBefore the final course of siding is installed on thewall, any soffit accessories that will be used on theeaves must be installed. See the soffit installationsection.

Gable Ends

To install around gable ends, make a patternthat duplicates the slope of the gable (Fig. 43):

■ Lock a short piece of siding into thegable starter course (i.e., the lastcourse before the gable starts).

■ Hold a second piece of siding againstthe J-channel at the slope of thegable. Mark the slope with a pencil onthe short piece of siding. Check theangle template every few courses.

■ Remove the short piece and cutalong the pencil line as a pattern forthe gable angle cuts. Repeat the pro-cedure on the opposite side of thegable.

■ It may be necessary to fasten the lastpanel at the gable peak with a trimnail. Use a 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" nail. This isthe only time a nail should be placedin the face of the vinyl siding (Fig. 44).

FFiigguurree 4444..

CCoolloorreedd aalluummiinnuummoorr ssttaaiinnlleessss sstteeeellffiinniisshh nnaaiill

FFiigguurree 4433..

DDrraaww lliinnee hheerree

✎

FFiigguurree 4422..

JJ--CChhaannnneell


OOvveerrllaappppiinngg SSiiddiinngg

Eaves Treatment

The last course of siding may be cut to fit the eaves open-ing (Fig. 45).

■ Measure from the soffit to the base of the upperlock on the previous course of panels. Subtract1/4''. Mark this dimension on the panel to be cut,measuring from the bottom edge of the panel. Itis a good idea to check the dimension in severallocations along the length of the wall.

■ Using a snap lock punch, punch the vinyl sid-ing along the cut edge every 6", so the raisedlug is on the outside face.

■ Push the siding into the utility trim that has been nailed in placealong the top of the wall. Furring may be needed to maintain theface of the panel at the desired angle. The raised lugs will catchand hold the siding firmly in place.

Transition from Horizontal to Vertical■ Finish the last course of horizontal siding with the J-channel

and/or finish trim. Install a drip cap and a J-channel. The toppiece of J-channel must have 1/4" weep holes drilled every 24" toallow for water runoff.

Transition from Brick to Vinyl Siding■ Caulk where the sheathing meets the brick or stone exterior.

Flashing should be caulked where it meets the brick or stone anda drip cap should be in place.

■ If horizontal siding is used, a J-channel or starter strip may beused. If starter strip is used, it is necessary to provide at least3/8" clearance for proper engagement of the siding.

■ Use a J-channel to receive vertical siding; remember to drill 1/4"weep holes every 24".

26

FFiigguurree 4455..

DDiissttaannccee mmiinnuuss 11//44””

27

VVEERRTTIICCAALL SSIIDDIINNGG AANNDD AACCCCEESSSSOORRIIEESS IINNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN

PreparationSee section “Preparing the Walls” on page 16. When installing vertical siding,however, follow these additional preparatory steps:

■ Install horizontal furring strips, 12" on center, or a solid nailablesheathing prior to the siding, if needed, to level the surface or providesufficient material for 3/4" fastener penetration.

■ Snap a level chalkline around the base of the sidewalls. Typically, thechalkline is positioned so that the bottom of the J-channel that willserve as a vertical starter strip is 1/4" below the lowest point on thewall that will be sided. (See the “Installing Accessories” section fortips on snapping a chalkline.) Install a J-channel along the chalklineas a receiver for the vertical siding.

AccessoriesAs with horizontal siding, when installing vertical siding it is necessary to installseveral accessories first, including corner posts and window, door, and roof trim.

Outside and Inside Corner Posts

■ Leave 1/4" gap at the top ofcorner posts.

■ Place the first nails in theuppermost end of the topnail slots to hold them inposition (Fig 46). Place allother nails in the center ofthe slots. Nails should be 8"to 12" apart.

■ Corner posts should extend 3/4" below the siding. Do not nail tightly; thecorner post should move.

NNoottee:: IInnssttaallll vviinnyyll ssooffffiitt aanndd ffaasscciiaa bbeeffoorree iinnssttaalllliinngg oouuttssiiddee aanndd iinnssiiddeeccoorrnneerr ppoossttss..

FFiigguurree 4466..

Bottom Receiver

■ Position the top edge of a J-channelor vertical base (head flashing) alongthe previously snapped chalkline.Remember to drill 1/4" weepholesevery 24".

■ Fasten every 8" to 12". Use the cen-ter of the nail slots. All vinyl shouldbe fastened securely but not tightly.Sideways movement should not berestricted. Leave 1/4" gaps at the cor-ner posts (Fig. 47). Where lengths adjoin, trim the nailing flange 1" andoverlap 1/2" to produce a neat joint(Fig. 48).

Window, Door, and Roof Trim

Install J-channel at the tops of the sidewalls. At the gable ends, snap a level chalkline alongthe base of the gable and install J-channel.Overlap where necessary and allow for expan-sion (Fig. 49).

After installing flashing, trim around all windowsand doors using J-channel. The followingsequence is suggested:

■ Cut a J-channel for the bottom of thewindow, as wide as the frame, andinstall it.

■ Cut side J-channels the length of theframe plus the width of the top and bot-tom J-channel. Cut and bend tabs (Fig.50) into the bottom channel. Install theside channels.

28

FFiigguurree 4477..

FFiigguurree 4488..

FFiigguurree 4499..

JJ--cchhaannnneell

TTrriimm bbaacckk

SSiiddeewwaallll

FFiigguurree 5500..

JJ--cchhaannnneell

11"

11//22"

11//44"

29

■ Cut the top J-channel the widthof the frame PLUS the width ofthe side J-channels. Notch thetop J-channel on each end,bend the tabs into the side J-channel, and fasten the topJ-channel (Fig. 51).

■ A miter cut and tab can be pro-vided at the bottom of the win-dow (see page 20), dependingon the sill’s condition.

SidewallsStarter Strip

■ Create a vertical starter strip by cut-ting the nailing hem and adjacent lockoff a vertical siding panel. Fasten itinside the receiver channel of the cor-ner post. Be sure this piece is plumb.Leave enough clearance in the pocketof the corner post to allow the sidingpanel to be attached (Fig. 52).

■ Install J-channels at top and bottom.Fasten panels 12" on center. Leave1/4" clearance at top and 3/8" at bot-tom. Place the first fasteners in theuppermost end of the top nail slots tohold them in position. Place all otherfasteners in the center of the slots.

■ If it will take more than one course tospan the height of the house, terminatethe first course into an inverted J-chan-nel (Fig. 53), allowing 1/4" for expan-sion. Install head flashing on top of theJ-channel and begin the second courseleaving 1/4" gap at the head flashing.

FFiigguurree 5511..

FFiigguurree 5522..

FFiigguurree 5533..

VVeerrttiiccaall ppaanneell

HHeeaadd ffllaasshhiinngg

JJ--cchhaannnneell

11//44"

CCoorrnneerr ppoosstt

VVeerrttiiccaall ssttaarrtteerr ssttrriipp ((sslliitt iinn hhaallff))

JJ--cchhaannnneell

4455° CCuutt

JJ--cchhaannnneell

BBeenndd oovveerr

CCuutt aapppprrooxxiimmaattee

wwiiddtthh ooff nnaaiill ffllaannggee

Panels

■ Working from the starter strip to the cor-ners, lock each panel and fasten every12". Vertical panels are terminated into theJ-channel installed at top and the verticalbase or J-channel installed at bottom.

Optional Method for Gable End Sidewalls

■ Find the center of each sidewall anduse a level or plumbline to install twoback-to-back J-channels or an H-dividerbar (Fig. 54). Leave a 1/4" gap at the topand bottom. These will serve as starterstrips in which to lock the vertical siding.

Windows and Doors

■ At window and doors, cut the panels (if nec-essary) to fit the openings, allowing 1/4" forexpansion.

■ If the panel is uncut or cut down in the “V”-shaped groove of a piece of verticalsiding, simply insert it into the J-chan-nel, locking the other side onto thepreviously applied panel (Fig. 55).A furring strip should be installed toprevent panel detachment.

■ If the panel is cut on the flat surface,install utility trim, backed by furring, intothe J-channel. The flat surface of the ver-tical siding should be snap lock punchedand fitted into the utility trim (Fig. 56).The panel is further secured aboveand below the windows and abovethe door when the panel is fastenedin place.

Corners

At corners, the following steps arerecommended:

■ Install the utility trim or J-channelinto the receiver of the corner post.

30

FFiigguurree 5544..

FFiigguurree 5555..

FFiigguurree 5566..


JJ--cchhaannnneellWWiinnddooww oorr ddoooorr ffrraammeeFFuurrrriinngg ssttrriipp

11//44" ffrroomm ttooppooff ssiiddeewwaallll

VVeerrttiiccaallssttaarrtteerr

ssttrriipp



FFuurrrriinngg ssttrriippJJ--cchhaannnneell

WWiinnddooww oorr ddoooorr ffrraammee

31

■ If the panel is cut in the bottomof the V-groove, insert it into theJ-channel. A furring strip shouldbe provided prior to panel inser-tion. This will prevent the panelfrom detaching (Fig. 57).

■ If the panel is cut on the flat sur-face, install utility trim, backed byfurring, into the J-channel. Punchsnap locks along the cut edge ofthe panel at 6" intervals and snapit into the utility trim (Fig. 58).

Gable Ends

For application of vertical siding to gables, fol-low the instructions below.

■ Begin by fastening J-channelalong the inside edge of the roof.Install vertical base (head flashing) ontop of previously installed J-channel atthe base of the gable.

■ Attach either vertical siding starter stripor two back-to-back regular starterstrips, centered with the peak of thegable (Fig. 59). This area should beflashed prior to installing the starterstrips.

■ Make a pattern for end cuts along thegable using two pieces of scrap siding(Fig. 60). Lock one piece into the verticalstrip at the center of the wall. Hold theedge of the other piece against and in linewith the roof line. Mark the slope on thevertical piece and cut along that line. Use itas a pattern to mark and cut the ends of allother panels required for this side of thegable end. Make another pattern for theother side of the gable.

FFiigguurree 5577..

FFiigguurree 5588..

FFiigguurree 5599..

CCoorrnneerr ppoosstt

JJ--cchhaannnneell


FFuurrrriinnggssttrriipp



FFuurrrriinngg ssttrriippCCoorrnneerrppoosstt

VVeerrttiiccaallppaanneellss

SSttaarrtteerr ssttrriipp

JJ--cchhaannnneell

FFiigguurree 6600..

DDrraaww lliinnee hheerree

✎

SSOOFFFFIITT IINNSSTTAALLLLAATTIIOONN

Soffit is the name given to materialsused to enclose the underside of aneave. The installation of soffit will deter-mine the positioning of the inside andoutside corner posts. It also is necessaryto complete the soffit before the finalcourse of siding is installed on the wall.

Vinyl soffit is designed to be easily installed lengthwise from wall to fascia(see Fig. 67). Soffit panels are similar to vertical siding. Manufacturers pro-duce both solid and vented panels.

PreparationInspect and plan the job in advance. For residing applications, nail down anyloose panels, boards, or shingles. Check surfaces for straightness and furwhen necessary. Surfaces should be uniform and straight from various view-ing angles.

The procedure used to install soffit depends on the construction of the eave.There are two different types of eaves:

■ Open eaves—eaves with exposed rafters or trusses—are typicalof new construction. Open eave installation procedures are alsoused when removing damaged soffit during a residing project.

■ Enclosed eaves—eaves with soffit in place—are typical of resid-ing projects.

32

NNOOTTEE:: VVeennttiillaattiioonn RReeqquuiirreemmeennttss:: PPrrooppeerr aattttiicc vveennttiillaattiioonn iiss iimmppoorrttaanntt ffoorraannyy hhoommee.. CCoonnssuulltt aa llooccaall bbuuiillddiinngg ooffffii--cciiaall ffoorr tthhee aapppprroopprriiaattee rreeqquuiirreemmeennttssffoorr aa ssppeecciiffiicc ggeeooggrraapphhiiccaall aarreeaa,, aanndduussee vveenntteedd ssooffffiitt oorr ootthheerr vveenntteedd pprroodd--uuccttss aass nneecceessssaarryy..

33

Installation Over Open Eaves Follow this 5-step procedure:

1. Install receiving channels (soffit receiver or J-channel).

■ There are several ways to install receiv-ing channels for soffit. You can useaccessories such as the J-channel orthe F-channel. The best approach is toselect a method that works mosteffectively with the construction tech-niques used to create the eave.

■ Examine the illustrations at right andfind one that most closely resemblesthe construction methods used on thisparticular project (Fig. 61 through 64).

■ Install the receiving channels followingthe details shown in the illustrations.Nail channels every 12" to 16", positioningthe nail in the center of the slot. Do notnail tightly.

FFiigguurree 6611..

FFiigguurree 6622..

FFiigguurree 6633..

FFiigguurree 6644..

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UUnnddeerr 2244"

UUnnddeerr 2244"

UUnnddeerr 2244"

2244" oorr mmoorree

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SSooffffiitt

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■ If no soffit receiver is available fora situation best suited for theproduct, the J-channel can bemodified to create an F-receiver(Fig. 65).

■ Simply cut slots in the nail flangearea where it would be nailed tothe wall (Fig. 65). After cuttingthe nail flange, bend the flangeback and nail it to the wall.

■ If the soffit will turn a corner, cutand install the channel so there is1/4" for expansion at each of theadjoining walls.

2. Measure from the wall to the fascia board.Then subtract 1/2" to allow for expansion.Mark this dimension on a soffit panel andcross cut using a circular power saw with areversed finetooth blade. Cut one or twopanels at a time, carefully advancing thesaw through the vinyl.

3. Insert the panel into the channel on thewall, then into the channel at the fasciaboard (Fig. 66).

■ It might be necessary to flex thepanel slightly to insert it into the sec-ond channel.

■ Make certain the panel is perpendic-ular to the wall, then nail. Dependingon the installation method beingused, nails will be hammered eitherinto a nailing strip or a fascia board.

■ When using a nailing strip, do notnail tightly—allow movement forexpansion. Continue the installationby locking and nailing the panels.Make certain the panels are fullylocked along their entire length.

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FFiigguurree 6655..

FFiigguurree 6666..


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4. To turn a corner, measure from the chan-nel at the wall corner to the channel atthe corner of the fascia board (Fig. 67).Subtract 1/4" for expansion. Cut andinstall soffit double channel lineal orback-to-back J-channel. If necessary,install nailing strips to provide backing forthe lineal. Miter cut the corner soffit pan-els and install as described in Step 3.

5. To complete the installation, apply theutility trim and fasten the aluminum fas-cia cap or formed aluminum coil stockwith painted trim nails. If necessary toface nail fascia, drill holes for the trimnails to allow for expansion and toreduce denting of the aluminum.

Installation Over EnclosedEavesThe procedure used to install soffit over an enclosed eave is almost identical tothat used for an open eave. The majordifference is the installation of theJ-channel (Fig. 68 and 69).

■ Determine the preferredmethod of installing soffit atthe fascia board.

NNOOTTEE:: IIff tthhee eexxiissttiinngg ssooffffiitt iiss rrootttteeddoorr ddaammaaggeedd,, rreemmoovvee iitt ccoommpplleetteellyybbeeffoorree iinnssttaalllliinngg vviinnyyll ssooffffiitt,, tthheenn uusseetthhee iinnssttrruuccttiioonnss ffoorr ooppeenn eeaavveess..

FFiigguurree 6677..

FFiigguurree 6688..

FFiigguurree 6699..

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■ When installing J-channel at either wall of fascia board, nailevery 12" to 16".

■ If the soffit is to turn a corner, cut and install J-channel to allow 1/4"for expansion at each of the adjoining walls and fascia boards.

■ When installing vented soffit panels, if the existing soffit doesn’thave openings for ventilation, cut an adequate number of openings.

■ To complete the installation, follow Steps 3 through 5 from“Installation Over Open Eaves.”

Porch CeilingsThe procedures used to install a porch ceiling are in many ways similar tothose used to install soffit. These procedures vary slightly, depending onwhether the installation is a new construction or a residing project.

New Construction Projects

1. Begin by installing receiving channels on all four sides of the porch(Fig. 70). If F-receivers are being used, nail them to the existingwalls. If J-channels are being used, a nailing base will have to beinstalled.

2. When planning to use light blocks to attach external light fixtures,install them to adequate backing.

3. Plan the layout of the ceiling panels to achieve an even balance or toalign with adjacent work. If the ceiling panels will run parallel to theceiling joists, additional 1" x 3" wood furring nailing strips will have tobe installed. Install these nailing strips perpendicular to the ceilingjoists, placing a strip every 12" to 16".

4. Invert the J-channels and nail them to the underside of the woodstrips along the perimeter of the ceiling area.

5. Install the first panel into the channels atone end of the porch. Be sure to leave roomfor expansion. Nail every 12" to 16", position-ing nails in the centers of slots. Do not nailtightly. Install the remaining panels. Whencutting the last panel of the first course, besure to allow room for expansion.

6. For areas where more than one panel length is needed, use a dou-ble channel lineal or back-to-back J-channel.

36

FFiigguurree 7700..

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JJ--cchhaannnneell oorr ootthheerr ttrriimm

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7. If it is necessary to cut the nailing hem off the final panel, use a snaplock punch to create tabs every 8" to 10" along the cut edge. Attachutility trim and insert the panel into the receiving channel.

Residing Projects

1. Check to be sure the existing ceiling can serve as a solid nailing base.

2. If the existing ceiling is solid, remove all existing moldings and fix-tures from the ceiling and begin by nailing inverted J-channels alongthe perimeter of the ceiling area. Then follow Steps 2 through 6 inthe instructions under “New Construction.” With a solid ceiling, how-ever, additional nailing strips are not necessary. Use the existing ceil-ing as the nailing base for the panels.

3. If the existing ceiling is not solid, install nailing strips to provide a securenailing base, then install the J-channels. Additional nailing strips shouldbe installed if the ceiling panels are to run parallel to the ceiling joists.Follow the instructions in Steps 2 through 6 for new construction.

OOTTHHEERR RREECCOOMMMMEENNDDAATTIIOONNSS

Replacing a Damaged PanelTo remove a panel for any reason:

■ Slip the unlocking toolbehind the bottom of thepanel above the one to bereplaced and unzip it fromthe lock on the damagedpanel (Fig. 71).

■ Gently bend out theupper panel. Take thenails out of the dam-aged panel and removeit (Fig. 72).

■ Lock on the new paneland nail it up (Fig. 73).

■ Use the unlocking toolagain to zip the upperpanel over the lock on the new panel (Fig. 74).



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Residing Over Asbestos SidingAsbestos siding is a regulated material, and the appropriate environmentalagency should be contacted before residing over this product begins.

Capping a Corner Post■ Corner posts on homes with a sec-

ond-story overhang need to becapped by making the cuts shown(Fig. 75). Fold the flaps createdover each other as indicated.

■ Drill a 1/8" hole in the center,through both layers of vinyl, andinstall a pop rivet to hold them inplace. Cut a notch in both layers toallow clearance for the corner (Fig. 76).

Repairing a Damaged CornerPostRepair a damaged corner post with aseries of cuts:

■ Cut away the face of the dam-aged corner, leaving the nailhem intact.

■ Remove the nail hem from thereplacement corner and trim it to fit.

■ Place the new corner over thenailing hem of the old and fas-ten it into position.

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FFiigguurree 7755..

FFiigguurree 7766..

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Historic RestorationWhen possible historic restoration issues arise, VSI recommends the following:

■ If a building is in a historic area, local Historic District, or hasbeen designated as a historic building, make sure that approvalfor the use of vinyl siding has been obtained from the local his-toric society or local Historic District Commission. This applies tobuilding additions as well.

■ Before a historic building is resided, it should be examined formoisture, insect infestation, structural defects, and other prob-lems that may be present. These problems should be addressedand the building pronounced “healthy” before residing with anymaterial.

■ Do not damage or remove the original siding. If at all possible, donot alter the original structure, so that the application of vinyl sid-ing is reversible (i.e., the original siding would remain intact in thefuture, so that if desired, the vinyl siding could be removed).Exception: “In cases where a nonhistoric artificial siding has beenapplied to the building, the removal of such a siding before appli-cation of vinyl siding would, in most cases, be acceptable.”(Preservation Briefs, Number 8, U.S. Department of Interior,1984.)1

■ Exercise every care to retain architectural details wherever possi-ble. Do not remove, cover, or add details until the building own-ers’ written approval has been obtained. Determine that theowner has consulted the local historic society for approval.

■ Use siding that closely approximates the appearance of the origi-nal siding in color, size, and style. In historic districts, the goal isto match the product as closely as possible and retain the origi-nal trim.

1Preservation Briefs, Number 8, can be ordered by contacting the Superintendent ofDocuments at 202 512-1800. Or, the brief can be viewed via the Heritage Preservation WebSite at www2.cr.nps.gov/. GPO stock number: 024-005-01026-2

39

®

1801 K Street, NWSuite 600K

Washington, DC 20006

For more information, visit VSI’s web site

<www.vinylsiding.org> or contact the

Vinyl Siding Information Center1-888-FOR-VSI-1