Installation Guide

Backerboard/Underlayment—a flat mate-
rial used on the face of the house, between
the studs and the siding, to provide a flat
surface for the siding.
Bottom Lock—the bottom edge of a siding
or a soffit panel, or accessory piece, oppo-
site the nailing slots, which locks onto the
preceding panel.
Channel—the area of the accessory trim
or corner post where siding or soffit panel
is inserted. Channel also refers to the trim
itself, and are named for the letters of the
alphabet they resemble (e.g., J-Channel,
F-Channel, etc.).
Course—a row of panels, one panel wide,
running the length of the house. Or, in the
case of vertical siding, from top to bottom.
Drip Cap / Head Flashing—an accessory
installed to channel water away from siding
panels and sub-wall. Drip cap is often used
on the tops of windows/doors and when
transistioning from horizontal to vertical
siding.
Face—refers to the side of a siding or sof-
fit panel that is exposed once the panel has
been installed.
Fascia Board— (sometimes referenced as a
sub fascia) board attached to the ends of the
rafters between the roofing material and the
soffit overhang.
Fascia Cap—the covering installed on the
fascia board.
Flashing—a thin, flat material, usually
aluminum, positioned under or behind
J-Channels, Corner Posts, Windows,
etc., to keep draining water from
penetrating the home.
Furring/Furring Strip—a wooden framing
material, usually 1˝ x 3˝, used to provide an
even nailing base. To “fur” a surface means
to apply these strips.
H-Mold (Double Channel Lineal)—
a siding accessory that joins the ends of
vertical siding and soffit panels.
Housewrap—weather-resistant, breathable
film used to cover wood underlayment prior
to the installation of siding.
Lap—to overlap the ends of two
siding panels or accessory pieces to join the
panels/pieces and allow for expansion and
contraction of the vinyl product.
Lug/Crimp—the raised “ears” or
tabs on a siding panel, created by a snaplock
punch, which can be used to lock a siding
panel into undersill trim when the nailing
hem has been removed.
Miter—to make a diagonal cut, beveled to a
specific angle (usually 45º).
Nailing Hem (or Flange)—the section of
siding or accessories where the nailing slots
are located.
Plumb—a position or measurement that is
truly and exactly vertical, 90º from a level
surface.
Scoring—running a utility knife blade
across a soffit or siding panel face
without cutting all the way through
the panel. This weakens the vinyl
surface in a specific area and allows the
panel to be bent and broken off cleanly.
Soffit—material used to enclose
the horizontal underside of an eave,
cornice or overhang.
Starter Strip—an accessory applied directly
to the surface of the building and used to
secure the first course of siding to the home.
Weep Holes—openings cut into the siding
panel or accessories during the manufactur-
ing process to allow for water runoff.
Nailing Hem
Face
Center Butt
Bottom Lock
Top Lock
7
the basics
terms to know