How Much Should You Overlap Vinyl Siding

Lap siding is a traditional form of cladding a structure against the elements.

How much should you overlap vinyl siding.

Vinyl siding comes in a variety of grains thickness and colors making it also a practical choice for many homeowners. On hot days because the siding will contract when the temperature drops. Compounding the problem most vinyl siding panels are molded to represent double or even triple widths of clapboards. Leaving too much overlap.

This results in a messy and unkempt look. While lengths of wood or cement siding meet in an unobtrusive butt vinyl panels must be overlapped by about 1 inch wherever they meet resulting in telltale vertical lines. A standard 12 foot piece of vinyl siding can expand just over 1 2 inch from what it measures in the dead of winter to a blistering hot summer day. Homeowners who attempt the diy vinyl siding installation method often make the mistake of leaving too much overlap in between panels.

When cutting vinyl siding it s usually to go into a corner. Overlap each panel 1 in. Save big with vinyl siding. How to overlap siding.

Of the factory prenotched cutouts. So if you goof up the starter strip all the rest of the siding will be crooked. Lap siding is designed to move water down an exterior wall without allowing the water to. Whatever your measurement is take at least 1 4 or 1 8 on both sides for the panel to slide back and forth.

Wherever hardie siding meets a trim board the company recommends you leave a 1 8 gap between the siding and the trim and apply a 3 8 bead of approved caulking to protect and seal the edge of the siding. Always refer to the installation guide on the particular vinyl siding that you re installing but most vinyl siding panels should overlap each other by at least an inch. 1 lay out the panels required for the first course along the house. You need to leave at least 1 4.

The thicker the vinyl the more obvious the overlap. Vinyl siding is designed to withstand weather and resist moisture damage. How much does vinyl siding expand. Install vinyl siding with our easy guide.

From end of panel to allow neat lap. Vinyl siding and trim expands and contracts with changes in temperature. If you want siding for your home that looks great and is durable but requires little maintenance look no further. Last nail should be at least 10 in.

If you don t cut your siding short when it expands in the summer it s going to buckle. It can have the look of wood siding without the ongoing work and expense. On the sides of the house start each row at the back corner so you don t see the seams.