Installation Instructions
CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Installation Guide
71
Cutting Panels
To cut panels to size, follow these procedures:
Cross cuts
For a precise cut, use a power circular saw equipped with a sharp, 
fine-tooth plywood blade. For best results, reverse blade direction.
Cut one or two panels at a time, carefully advancing the saw 
through the vinyl. A rule of thumb: The lower the temperature, 
the slower the feed rate.
Panels can also be cut with snips. Use a square to mark the cut 
line. Start the cut at the top lock and continue to the bottom of 
the panel.
Rip cuts
Use a utility knife to score the panel along the cut line. 
Bend the panel back and forth along the score line until it 
snaps apart cleanly.
Use a combination of tin snips and utility knife to cut panels to fit 
around windows and doors. 
Overlapping Panels
Refer to the chart on page 35/36 for required overlap spacing.
NOTE: Whenever you cut a panel to be used in an overlap 
area, you also have to duplicate the factory notch at both 
the top and bottom of the cut end.
NOTE: The Carolina Beaded panel is factory-notched in three 
places. For best results, overlap panels using factory notched 
ends only. If a panel must be cut on site, insert cut ends into 
receiving channels in cornerposts or J-channel. If this isn’t 
possible, create an exact duplicate of notches using aviation 
or tin snips.
factory 
notches
Carolina 
Beaded 
factory 
notches
1"










