How High To Start First Course Of Siding

The method discussed here is an easier and more common one installing corner trim first and then butting the siding to it.

How high to start first course of siding.

Vinyl siding starter strips snap a level chalk line for the first starter strip at the base of the wall no less than 8 inches above ground level after determining the lowest corner of the house. From the top of this row and stretch a string line across the deck. To provide a common reference point measure up 8 in. This project is using an 8 wide siding with a 1 overlap resulting in a 7 reveal.

This will be used as a template for the horizontal cuts. Once you ve decided where you want the siding to begin drive a nail through a point on your chosen starting height and snap a chalk line around the perimeter of the house. Hammer in one nail about 2 inches from each end of each shingle and another nail about 1 inch above each cutout. Make sure to keep nails out of the tar strip as you work.

Add approximately 1 4 6 4mm to both sides to allow for expansion and contraction of the siding. These marks represent the vertical cuts fig. Nail the cut off shingle into place about 6 inches from its lower edge. Begin by installing the first row of siding on both sides of the deck.

Use a table saw to rip a 1 wide strip of the siding. Lock a small piece of scrap siding into the lower panel next to the window. Nail a piece of plywood about 3 5 inches 89 mm thick along the top of the chalk line this will hold out the bottom of the first row of siding. This chalk line should be level and a consistent distance from the eaves or the top and bottom of the windows.

Preparing walls for lap siding. Click here to learn some vinyl siding cleaning techniques that will make your house look new. This is where the new siding will begin. Generally a starter piece is installed underneath the first course to simulate the typical overlap and to orient the panel at the proper angle.