How Much Should You Overlap Vinyl Siding

Homeowners who attempt the diy vinyl siding installation method often make the mistake of leaving too much overlap in between panels.

How much should you overlap vinyl siding. Whatever your measurement is take at least 1 4 or 1 8 on both sides for the panel to slide back and forth. This results in a messy and unkempt look. This damage was caused by windows on another house that reflected and concentrated the sun s rays. If you don t cut your siding short when it expands in the summer it s going to buckle.

You need to leave at least 1 4. Because vinyl siding moves as the temperature changes make certain that the vinyl panels can move freely in a lateral direction. Lap siding is designed to move water down an exterior wall without allowing the water to. 1 lay out the panels required for the first course along the house.

Longer panels show fewer visible seams but are generally 25 to 30 more expensive than the standard sized siding panels. How to overlap siding. Mind the overlaps 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. The industry standard warrants between one and one and a quarter inch of overlap where two panels meet.

Overlap vinyl panel ends in accordance with manufacturer s recommendations typically 1 inch. Always pre drill holes into fascia and do not nail tight. Drive these nails through the fascia and only into the v groove of the soffit. 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.

If it gets up over 200f it can melt and distort. On hot days because the siding will contract when the temperature drops. When installing the siding portions of these parts need to be cut to overlap and mesh with the adjoining panel strips. Vinyl siding is plastic.

Certainteed overview on vinyl siding overlapping accessories. When overlapping aluminum vinyl fascia covers make sure to overlap 3 4 19mm. When cutting vinyl siding it s usually to go into a corner. You may also need to face nail the fascia.