Installing Vinyl Siding Accessories

Snapping A Chalk Line

To ensure proper installation, you must establish a straight reference line to guide the positioning of the starter strip and the first course of siding.

If the house is reasonably level, find the lowest point of the old siding (or sheathing if working on new construction). Partially drive a nail at one corner, starter height minus 1/4" above the lowest corner. Attach chalk line. Go to other corner and pull the chalk line taut. Stretch the chalk line from this nail to the opposite corner of the house. Make sure the line is level, using a line level or 4' (minimum) level. Snap chalk line and repeat the procedure around the entire house.

A water level, a long clear plastic tube 90% filled with water, is useful in marking level points around the house and on opposite sides of openings such as doors. Water will always seek a level state, ensuring the markings will always be at the same level.

NOTE: If after establishing a chalk line you find that your starter strip will be positioned below an easily nailed surface, you may have to apply a nailable base.

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If you have added sheathing, you may want to bend trim coil to act as flashing and help prevent entry of insects. Bend the coil in a “Z” shape so the top edge of the coil is on the chalk line and the bottom edge extends down over the foundation. (See illustration.)

NOTE: The general guidelines for cutting and nailing vinyl panels and for allowing for expansion and contraction also apply to vinyl accessory items.

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Installing the starter strip

Position the starter strip with the top edge on the chalk line and the ends 6-1/2" away from the outside and inside corners (when using lineal systems or wide corners), 4" if using standard one-piece corners. Nail to wall following previously mentioned nailing instructions. When hollows occur in the wall surface, shim out the starter strip to avoid a wavy appearance in the finished siding job. Nail every 8" to 12".

As you add starter strip sections, be sure to leave 1/4" space between them for expansion.

Sometimes especially at sills above garage doors, porches or brick surfaces where the siding has been cut lengthwise you may find it easier to use a combination of utility trim and J-Channel as a starter strip to secure a panel.

If you are concerned that the house is not level, measure down from the soffit at one corner of the house to the top of the foundation and subtract the width of the starter strip minus 1/4".

Mark the wall, then transfer the measurement to the other corner of the wall. Snap a chalk line in between the corners at the marks.

Read More:  Equipment and Tools for Vinyl siding installation

Outside Cornerposts

A water-resistive material should be used to flash the inside and outside corners a minimum of 10” on each side before installation of the corner posts.

For cornerposts 12' long or less
Position the outside cornerpost so that the top of the post is 1/4" from the underside of the eave. Extend the bottom of the cornerpost 3/4" below the starter strip.

Before nailing, make sure the post is straight and true. Hang the cornerpost by first positioning a nail at the top of the topmost nail slot. Position all remaining nails in the center of nail slots a maximum of every 8" to 12". Leave 1/8" to 1/16" between the nail head and the cornerpost to allow the cornerpost to move during normal expansion and contraction (DO NOT NAIL TIGHT). Follow this nailing pattern on both nail flanges of each post.

NOTE: CedarBoards corners install similar to standard outside cornerposts.

For cornerposts longer than 12' long

Position the outside cornerpost so that the top of the post is 3/8" from the underside of the eave. Extend the bottom of the cornerpost 3/4" below the starter strip.

Before nailing, make sure the post is straight and true. Hang the cornerpost by first positioning a nail at the top of the two top nail slots slot. Position all remaining nails in the center of nail slots a maximum of every 8" to 12". Leave 1/8" to 1/16" between the nail head and the cornerpost to allow the cornerpost to move during normal expansion and contraction. (DO NOT NAIL TIGHT.) Follow this nailing pattern on both nail flanges of each post.

NOTE: When installing any hanging cornerpost longer than 12', position the fasteners at the top of the top two nail slots on each side of the corner.

Inside Cornerposts

There are three options for trimming inside corners: Standard 3/4" inside cornerpost, single J-Channel, and two J-Channels.

A water-resistant material such as trim coil or self-adhering flashing should be used to flash the inside and outside corners a minimum of 10" on each side before installation of the corner posts.

To install inside corner posts, hang the post from the top of the eave. The bottom should extend 3/4" below the starter strip. Remove the bottom 3/4" of the nailing flange so it does not show below the siding. Set the post straight and true. Position the top nail in the top of the nailing slot. All other nails should be in the center of the nail slots.

If you have to splice the inside corner posts, cut 1" off all but the outer face of the lower post. Lap 3/4" of the upper post over the lower post, leaving 1/4" for expansion.

If you are using two pieces of J-Channel instead of an inside corner posts, hang the J-Channel from the top of the eave. The bottom should extend 3/4” below the starter strip. Remove the bottom 3/4" of the nailing flange so that it will not show below the siding. Use the same positioning and nailing guidelines as inside cornerpost.

To create a narrower corner, you can also use a single length of J-Channel and color-matched flashing. First, install the siding on one wall. Then place the J-Channel lightly against the siding and nail it to the substrate on the adjacent wall. Follow the same positioning and nailing guidelines as inside cornerposts.

Read More: Measuring

Federal Corners

Hang a new construction starter strip. Position the top nail in the top of the nailing slot. All other nails should be centered in the slots spaced 8" to 12" apart.

Position and secure the 3-1/2" lineal. Position and secure an aluminum starter strip. Position and secure the 5" lineal.

NOTE: Aluminum starter can be used for both lineals. If the aluminum starter used for the 5" lineal is not long enough, fashion a starter using a metal brake and coil stock to a length that allows for proper nailing into the substrate.

Inside Federal Corners

Flash the corner with aluminum trim coil or other flashing materials. Position and secure the 5" lineals (or a 3-1/2" lineal) by butting the lineal up to the inside corner. Using a 5" lineal will create a symmetric 3-1/2" exposure in the corner. If two 3-1/2" lineals are used, one exposure will be approximately 2-1/4" and one will be 3-1/2".

NOTE: Attaching the second lineal will keep the first lineal in place. You will not need a starter strip. Always position the top nail in the top of the nailing slot. All other nails should be centered in the slots spaced 8" to 12" apart.

Position and secure the starter strip.

Position and secure the remaining lineal.