Installing vinyl siding is not a difficult task. This vinyl siding installation guide will give you the steps you need for installing vinyl siding to turn your house into your dream home. This vinyl siding installation guide will discuss the different sections of vinyl siding and how to install vinyl siding. A manufacturer may have different instructions on specific areas. If this is the case, follow the manufacturer’s procedures.

Vinyl siding sections:

Vinyl siding comes in horizontal panels, but is made to look like wood lap siding in vertical panels. Installing vinyl siding is made simpler by the different trim pieces and accessories that come with it.

• Siding panels: They are 12’-6” in length. They will have a nailing flange along the top and a J-shaped interlocking flange at the bottom. The nailing flange will have a lip to allow for the panel to be hooked into the top of the panel below it.
• J-channel: This comes in 10’ lengths and is used to trim out the ends of siding panels where they meet a door or window. It is also used to cover cut edges of panels around windows and under the eaves.
• Under –sill or utility trim: This creates a tight loop and is used when the nailing flange has been cut off a panel, generally under a window or eave. The upper edge of the panel has a snap lock punch. This is so the panel can be snapped into the utility trim.
• Inside and outside corner posts: These cover the ends of the panels at the corners.

Tools for installing vinyl siding

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

Steps for Installing Vinyl Siding

1Tie back branches from trees or shrubs. Remove lighting fixtures, downspouts, shutters, etc. Scrape old caulk out of the junctions between the old siding and windows, doors, etc., to allow vinyl to fit better.

2Because vinyl siding expands and contracts, do not nail tightly. Siding should be able to move back and forth after being nailed.

3For uneven walls, nail 1x3 furring strips 16” on center from the foundation to the eaves. Nail furring strips around the doors and windows. Shim out low spots for a flat surface.

4Use a line level to find the lowest corner of the house. Measure up from that corner the distance according to the manufacturer and snap a level chalk line all around the house.

5With the chalk line as your guide, nail a starter strip all around the bottom of the house. Leave ¼” between the ends that butt together.

6Install inside and outside corner posts with a ¼” gap at the eaves. Let the post extend below the bottom of the old siding ¼”.

7Install a J-channel on the sides. Also install a J-channel across the tops of all doors and windows. Put a notch on the J-channel for a drip edge at the corners. Install J-channel along the sloped eaves at all gable end walls.

8Nail the under-sill trim under all windows and along horizontal eaves.

9Installing vinyl siding panels by working from the start strip up. Stagger the joints 4’ apart.

10Overlap panels 1” at each joint. The overlap should be away from entrances or high traffic areas. Leave ¼” gap where the ends of panels butt into J-channel or corner posts.

11Keep checking for levelness every 5th or 6th panel. Panels should hang loose.

12For fitting a panel under the window, mark the section you will be cutting. Cut from the top of the panel with a tin snip. Score the panel horizontally with a utility knife and snap it apart.

13The cut edge should be dimpled 16” on center with snap-lock punch. Lugs should be outside of the panel. Push siding panel into position.

14The horizontal eaves will require you to rip the panel to width with a circular saw. Punch the cut edge 16” on center with the snap-lock punch. Push panel into place.

Installing vinyl siding is simple. Enjoy a new look without the expense of labor.

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Comments (2)

• |2009-11-15 10:58:16 Dave  - Overlap Corner Post
  Hi,
  
  I'm not sure how to go about overlapping the outside corner post. I understand the top over laps the bottom, but how do you make it a smooth look? What type of cuts, or what matterial needs to be cut away to make the fit?
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• |2010-05-01 22:05:33 paul  - help
  how does the windowsill fit with the j channel?? are there any videos on this??
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