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.

Leaving too much overlap. 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. Overlap each panel 1 in.

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. Whatever your measurement is take at least 1 4 or 1 8 on both sides for the panel to slide back and forth. The thicker the vinyl the more obvious the overlap. Vinyl siding comes in a variety of grains thickness and colors making it also a practical choice for many homeowners.

Just keep in mind that you may be replacing some of the boards in the first row much sooner than you thought. So if you goof up the starter strip all the rest of the siding will be crooked. Of the factory prenotched cutouts. Vinyl siding is designed to withstand weather and resist moisture damage.

Vinyl siding and trim expands and contracts with changes in temperature. Compounding the problem most vinyl siding panels are molded to represent double or even triple widths of clapboards. Install vinyl siding with our easy guide. Homeowners who attempt the diy vinyl siding installation method often make the mistake of leaving too much overlap in between panels.

On the sides of the house start each row at the back corner so you don t see the seams. If you don t cut your siding short when it expands in the summer it s going to buckle. When installing the siding portions of these parts need to be cut to overlap and mesh with the adjoining panel strips. You need to leave at least 1 4.

Lap siding is designed to move water down an exterior wall without allowing the water to. Save big with vinyl siding. When cutting vinyl siding it s usually to go into a corner. 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.

From end of panel to allow neat lap. 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. This results in a messy and unkempt look. The industry standard warrants between one and one and a quarter inch of overlap where two panels meet.

On hot days because the siding will contract when the temperature drops. How much does vinyl siding expand. 1 lay out the panels required for the first course along the house.