How To Install Vinyl Siding

• Getting to know the basic parts of Vinyl Siding.

• How to cut vinyl siding.

• How to set Vinyl Corners.

• How to install Vinyl Starter Strips.

• How to prepare windows and doors for Vinyl Siding.

• How to install Vinyl Siding panels.

• How to cut Panels around windows and doors.

1. Getting to know vinyl siding parts

   

2. How to cut Vinyl Siding.

   • Cutting vinyl siding can be accomplished by a variety of methods.

   • The basic method for cutting vinyl siding is using Tin Snips and a Utility Knife. This is an effective method but can be quite slow and strenuous if you have a large job.

   • You can also use a circular saw to cut long runs on Vinyl Panels, such as under large windows and doors.

   • You must reverse the direction of the blade on your saw and use a blade with many cutting teeth. Such as a plywood cutting blade or rip blade.

   • You can use a Sliding Compound Miter Saw to cut off lengths from Panels. With this method you can cut more than one piece of the same length at one time. As with the circular saw, use a rip blade and don't for get to reverse the direction of the blade.

3. The first step when installing vinyl siding on new construction is to find the lowest corner of your house.

   • You can do this by using a mason's line and a line level.

   • Place one end of the line at one corner and the other end at the other corner.

   • Move the line until it reads level.

   • Continue around the house to find the lowest corner.

   

4. How to install inside and outside Vinyl Corners.

   • To find the measurement of each corner, measure each corner 1/4" from the eaves and 1/4" past the sheathing at the bottom.

   • This will give you the measurement of each corner.

   • Use Tin Snips to cut each corner to size.

   • Line up the Vinyl Corner with the corner of the house, and install it using roofing nails.

   • As with all installation of vinyl siding, be sure to insert the nails at the center of a slot, leaving at least 1/16" exposed to allow for the expansion and contraction of the vinyl.

   

5. How to install Vinyl Starter Strip.

   • Once you have found the low corner, measure up from that corner.

   • Measure up using the distance on the manufacturer's instructions.

   • Once you have marked each corner, snap a Chalk Line all the way around.

   • Beginning at one corner, align the top of the first piece of starter strip with the chalk line and nail it to the wall.

   • Continue nailing the starter strip in this fashion all of the way around the house. Be sure to leave a 1/4" gap between each piece of starter strip.

   

6. How to prep windows and doors

   • Vinyl siding panels need to fit into channels on both ends. As you can tell from the shape of the outside corner trim, there is a channel in which to insert one side of each panel.

   

   • The same concept must apply to windows and doors.

   • If you have vinyl windows then you are all set. You don't need to install J channel as it comes included with the window.

   
   Vinyl Windows Have Built In Channels.

   

7. You will need to install J channel around the top and down both sides of doors.

   

   • Cut a tab on the end of the J-channel over a door or window, then bend it into the side channel to form a rain drip over doors and windows (Only applies to non-vinyl windows.)

   

   • Now you must install Under Sill Trim under all windows. Cut the trim to the length of the window and nail each one in place.

8. How to install Vinyl Siding Panels

   • When installing panels you must begin on the end of the house with the least amount of traffic. This will minimize the visibility of panel overlaps.

   • The images below show the same overlapping joint from two different vantage points.

   • The Top image shows a joint that really stands out, while the bottom image shows the same joint Coming from the opposite direction.

   

   

   • Install a full panel beginning at the starter strip.

   • Insert one end of the first panel into the corner trim leaving a 1/4" gap away from the edge.

   • Install the next panel up cutting it 4' shorter than the previous one. This is to ensure that all overlap joints are about 4' apart.

   • Continue in this manner until you reach a window.

   • Continue the bottom course until you have reached the end of the wall or a doorway. Overlap each panel 1" at each joint and leave a 1/4" clearance wherever the ends of the panels butt into J channel or corner trim.

   

   • If the window is less than the length of a full panel away from the corner, then you will cut all of the panels abutting the window to that exact length.

9. How to measure and cut a panel to fit under a window?

   • Try not to join two panels under a window. Be sure to butt the joints before or after the window.

   

   • Take one measurement 1" from the end of the last panel to 1/4" away from the left inside of the window.

   • Take the second from 1" from the end of the last panel to 1/4" away from the inside of the right side of the window.

   • Measure down to 1/4" from the inside of the bottom of the window.

   • Draw a line joining the two measurements together.

   • This will be the area that needs to be cut out.

   • Cut the vertical lines from the top of the panel with Tin Snips.

   • Cut the horizontal line with the circular saw.

   • You must now notch the panel along the horizontal line that you have just cut. This will enable the cut panel to fit securely inside the Under Sill Trim you have installed at the bottom of the window.

   • Insert panel into place until it snaps in. Repeat this process for all windows.

   • Use the same process for the top of doorways.

   

10. What you will need for this job.

    Vinyl Siding Panels
    Inside Corner Posts
    Under-sill Trim
    Chalk Line
    Utility Knife
    Tin Snips
    Line Level
    Fine-Toothed Blades
    Snap-lock Punch
    Unlocking Tool
    Ladder
    Felt Tip Pen
    Sawhorses
    J-Channel
    Outside Corner Posts
    Hammer
    Steel Tape Measure
    Straightedge
    Level
    Circular Saw
    Galvanized Roofing Nails
    Nail Hole Punch
    Hacksaw
    Carpenter's Square
    Mason's Line