Installation Instructions

CertainTeed Vinyl Siding Installation Guide

Section 7 — Installing Horizontal Siding

Top Ten Tips for Installing Vinyl Siding

CertainTeed provides quality vinyl siding and accessories that are

backed by one of the industry’s best warranties. However, even

the best products fall short of expectations if they are not installed

properly. Following these ten recommendations—the basics of a

professional installation—can help ensure a quality installation that

fulﬁlls homeowners’ expectations and reduces call backs.

1. Install all siding and accessories over a smooth, ﬂat surface.

Always install siding over a rigid sheathing, and never install it

over open studs.

2. Vinyl siding is not a watertight material. Install a weather-resistant

barrier, like CertainTeed CertaWrap, and ﬂash around all

windows and doors before installing vinyl siding and trim.

3. There are three recommended ways to cut vinyl siding: For rip

cuts, score the panel with a knife or vinyl blade and bend the

panel back and forth. Use aviator snips or shears to ﬁt panels

around windows and doors. For cross cuts, use a circular saw

with a plywood blade in the reverse position.

4. Always leave room for expansion and contraction into receiving

channels like outside cornerposts, inside cornerposts, and

J-channel. If the temperature is above 40°, leave 1/4"; if the

temperature is below 40°, leave 3/8".

5. When installing horizontal vinyl siding panels 12' 6" in length or

shorter, overlap the factory notches 1" to 1-1/4" (depending on

the temperature).

6. Always nail in the center of the nail slots: 16" on center for

siding; 8" to 12" for accessories.

7. DO NOT NAIL TIGHT! Always leave 1/8" to 1/16" between the

nail head and the wall surface to allow for movement when the

panel expands and contracts.

8. Hang vertical accessories from the top of the top nail slot.

If the accessory is longer than 12', hang it from the top two

nail slots.

9. Lap away from the highest trafﬁc pattern, typically the front of

the house. Keep laps at least 3' apart from course to course,

and install three courses between laps above each other.

10. Finish the last piece of siding into utility trim or dual utility trim.