siding question (how to)

[Ryan_V]

We are going up to side the house on mille lacs next week. I've never put siding on anything before, so I'm looking for tips to get started. we'll be putting on vinyl siding. I have starter pieces, j-channel and all the siding I need. should I just put the starter on and go up, or should I measure to make sure it comes out right?? I know you start on the starter piece, how should I end??? J-channel??? other???

thanks for any advice!!

[Surface Tension]

Under windows and the top coarse use finish trim.

You'll need a snap lock punch to make the the raised V in siding. That will slip into the finish trim and lock in place.

I use Malco brand and they make a good sized notch. The cheaper ones do not make a good notch.

So you've sided and your at the last coarse. Here you will need to get the hang of the locking system. Since this is new to you use a scrap piece of siding to experiment. What you want to do is get that height just right, not to high so that the siding slips down and the bottom unlocks and not so short that your stretching ever thing to get it locked. In other works you want the top snap lock to engage just before the bottom locks in.

Just keep the starter strip parallel to the soffit and snap a chalk line. Before you commit yourself to the distance down from the soffit check to see that your not going to end up with too narrow of strip of siding that can't lock into the finish trim or end up on a ridge of the siding. Lift or lower the starter strip to adjust.

If you have a gabled roof then you'd use J channel.

[MNice]

Check out this.

http://www.vinylsiding.org/

[ate1cropy]

One other thing is with vinyl siding you want to make sure that you have about a 1/4 inch between the siding and your corners, windows, doors.... you really want all your pieces to have room to flex. good luck

[Ryan_V]

thanks for the advice so far guys, keep it coming, one other thing.... what is the best way to cut it? fine tooth saw blade?? abrasive blade (like a grinder)???

[ate1cropy]

We use a large snips to make all our straight cuts. For cutting a window cut or around a box we make our lines and use a utility knife. you could just use a snips for everything but a knife is just faster for longer cuts. Just make sure your factory edges overlap your cuts so you get a nice straight line.

[Gus]

To cut just flip the blade around on your circular saw. Cordless works very well since they are generally lighter and vinyl isn't much to cut. Just flip around whatever blade you have and it won't chip. Good quality sheers are needed for finish detail and such.

[Redlantern]

How much overlap should you have? I ask this because my last house had gaps in the vinyl siding when it got cold. Didn't seem right to me but I'm not a sider and don't know squat about it.

[Surface Tension]

How much overlap should you have? I ask this because my last house had gaps in the vinyl siding when it got cold. Didn't seem right to me but I'm not a sider and don't know squat about it.

As a rule 1 inch lap and 1/4" away from the J and corner. Nail in the center of the slot. When nailed the siding should be able to slide. There are a lot of variables there. Some of the cheaper siding will cup along its height. The hand that holds the nail pushes the siding against the wall. Drive the nail till it comes 1/8th" to the nailing flange. If your using fanfold insulation it is meant to give you a friction free surface for the siding to slid against when going over old siding but more importantly it is a guide to keep the new siding flat. Don't distort the fan fold by pushing it into those low spots on the old siding.

[crothmeier]

Best bit of advice is nail in the center of the slot and DONT NAIL IT TIGHT!! it expands and contracts with the temp change and needs to be able to move. once you have a peice completely nailed you shoudl be able to slide it back and forth. if you nail tight it will warp and look really wavy.

I put j-channel, corners and started on before I start in with the siding.

[youngie22]

Originally Posted By: Redlantern

How much overlap should you have? I ask this because my last house had gaps in the vinyl siding when it got cold. Didn't seem right to me but I'm not a sider and don't know squat about it.

As a rule 1 inch lap and 1/4" away from the J and corner. Nail in the center of the slot.

You may want to consider a bigger overlap. you may get gaps in the siding that don't cover the wall after a few expansions and contrations. over lap usually depends on how much is cut out of the lock area. make sure you have about an inch to inch and a half gap between locks. Not sure if I read this on here yet or not. start in the back or least visivle part of the wall so the the seams are hidden from the direction most seen. if that makes sense.