Vinyl Siding Installation ?????'s

[dipper]

Looking for some advice on getting the garage sided. I originally was supposed to be getting some help from a "friend of a friend" to install the siding but that is not working out very well; so I think I'm just going to attack it myself, I just want to get an idea of where to start and how certain things are done.

I bought all the materials (siding, j-channel,starter strip, corners, vented and non vented soffit etc etc) last year and have it sitting in the shop.

I know all the jchannel has to get installed around the windows and doors first; If anyone can give me tips as far as the procedure for installing the j-channel that would be helpful. I'm looking for tips on bending and installing to alleviate water entry.

The other big question I have is with the Soffits and overhangs? Should that all get installed prior to siding the walls? I guess it could go either way, but what would be easiest?

I feel confident that I can do a good job installing it, it's just one of those things I have not had alot of experience with. My brother is going to help and he's done some too in the past. The garage is pretty basic and I think once I get all the soffit and trim done and start the siding it should go up pretty fast.

I am planning on getting the locking punch, removal tool, and a vinyl cutting blade for my bro's radial arm saw to do the cutting.

Thanks and I'll take any tips/hints/tricks from the pro's at GJ.

pic of the shop:

 

[6t7gto]

here's one link:

http://www.doityourself.com/stry/h2installvinylsiding

david

another:

http://www.customhomeonline.com/industry-news.asp?sectionID=209&articleID=73098

 

[kbs2244]

All I know is put it on real loose. Do not hammer any nails all the way home.
This stuff expands an contracts with temp changes a lot and you have let it slide back and forth.
For the same reason, do not cut it so it sits tight to the bottom of the J channel. Give it room to expand.
The same is true for aluminum.
I had a neighbor that did his own aluminum siding. When the sun came up you could hear it creaking an groaning under the tight nails as it expanded. That was from my yard. I can only guess what it must have sounded like inside the house.

 

[dipper]

Yea i know they have to be loose. I just came back from lowes and read a book on installing it and got some of the tips for installing the j-channel. I'm sure that after the first window I do, I will have a better idea too.

I gotta get this siding done so I can finish up the inside of the garage...and finalize the building permit.

 

[dipper]

6t7gto.....thanks for the links,
browsing them now.

 

[markzrt1]

The other big question I have is with the Soffits and overhangs? Should that all get installed prior to siding the walls? I guess it could go either way, but what would be easiest?

Yes, That the way I'm doing mine, Soffit and fascia first.

Do you have any new homes going up around you? It helps me to go poke around and see how the "pros" do it.

 

[dipper]

btw...i did get two "labor only" quotes on just installing the siding and both were
between 2000 - 2500. For that kind of money I don't mind spending a few days getting it done on my own.

 

[cw_racefan]

Here's another link for you. I used info from here to fix a couple leaking areas on my house where the idiots that installed the siding did it wrong. Figure you can't go wrong with an installation manual from the Vinyl Siding Institute!!

http://www.vinylsiding.org/publications/0804%5FVSI%5F2007Manual%2Epdf

 

[markzrt1]

btw...i did get two "labor only" quotes on just installing the siding and both were
between 2000 - 2500. For that kind of money I don't mind spending a few days getting it done on my own.

Wow, that seems high.

 

[dipper]

Wow, that seems high.

yeah, my brothers friend was supposed to help me mainly get it started, all the j and starter, get the soffits and gable ends done; but he's just not very responsive and I don't want to be doing this in june/july. I was gonna pay him a few hundred bucks for one days work but I suppose I'll just save that for other things i'll need in the garage.

thanks for the link cw - that's the kind of detail i've been looking for.

I should have pics in a couple of weeks. If i can find some time over the next week I'm going to try to start installing the j on the windows and doors.

 

[NWOhioChevyGuy]

You don't have to put the soffit up first but I would recommend leveling off your soffit and locating and installing the trim piece first. If you don't have boxing it would be what is called F channel as it looks like an F and nails to the sidewall. If your soffit is boxed in you can use standard J channel nailed to the boxing.

Just my two pennies......

Also when doing windows make sure you run the top piece of J channel to the outside edge of the side pieces and fold the inside of the top "channel" down into it this will ensure any water that is shed into that J channel is diverted off and around the window.

Sorry if you can't visualize what I'm saying, the DIY books / links should help.

 

[dipper]

I think I did get some f channel for attaching the soffit to the wall. As far as the soffit material, does that get riveted at all, or does it just get cut to the right size so each piece fits between the two channels?

I have to start pulling some of this stuff out and looking at it and get a visual of how it's all going to go together.

I do understand what you mean by installing the J channel on the windows..Thanks.

I wish I could be home working on it right now....its' 80 and sunny here

 

[fish369]

try this link, great information.

http://www.taunton.com/finehomebuilding/how-to/articles/installing-vinyl-siding.aspx?nterms=61654,61678

 

[Kevin54]

I think I did get some f channel for attaching the soffit to the wall. As far as the soffit material, does that get riveted at all, or does it just get cut to the right size so each piece fits between the two channels?

"F" channel is "old school" but to me makes it a heck of a lot easier. The way you use "F" channel is to put it all around on the eave boards, level it back to the wall and install it there. Then you can put the soffit up last or first and don't have to worry about it dropping or using the fascia to hold it up. The way I have always installed it was to turn the "F" unside down and but it up to the bottom of the eave. On the wall the "F" is right side up. On the wall , you can then **** the "J" up under the "F". Then once you have all of that up you can either hang siding or hang soffit without using one to hold the other. Years ago, a lot of the contractors started to cut some corners to save a few bucks then it just became the "norm" to do away with "F".

 

[yard_dawg]

well i put my siding on my shop and is was first time also. ask a lot of people how to do it. i did like you and bought the hole punch and the removle tool also the j and f channle. the stater strip rolled my sleeve's up and went after it. first let me tell ya, take back the hole punch and the removle tool and f channle. all you need is the j channle. first think i did was to put j channle around the shop. all windows and doors. and my sofit area. I then began with my shofit, and bowwored a buddies metal break to bend the roll metal to make all the bired house and my big door opening. then i put my stater strip( make sure it is level. also put j channel on the ouside corners. take your time. it is not that hard, and yes do not nail it tight. leave about a 16th space between the nail head and the siding. check for leveal on each run and make adjustments as you go. also make your seams on your vinal so you will not see them ex. if your looking down the side of your shop from the front, you want to start from the back of the shop that way the seams over lap looking from the rear. less noticable that way. good luck

 

[6768rogues]

Dipper, I live in Brockport and I was in the siding business for over 20 years. If you get in a bind, drop me a message and I will get you back on track.

 

[dipper]

6768rogues: thanks and I'll let you know if I get in a bind. I guess my brothers father in law is coming over to help too, and he has experience so hopefully it doesn't go too bad.
Now i just hope we have good weather on 4/27 cause that is when we are going to work on it.

 

[aerobb]

Couple of tips, I just got done with doing my house.

I used both the perforated and solid soffit. Think about using F channel up agains the house, nailing upside down under the eves can be a pain.

Get the hole punch. Don't ever drive a nail directly thru the vinyl, it won't allow for expansion.

I used the pre-fabbed outside corner pieces for the walls, made for a cleaner install than two j channels back to back.

I also set up my table saw and turned a plywood blade backwards. It was a little messier, but when cutting 20 or 30 short soffit pieces, I would just set the fence and cut away, went a lot faster.

I did get the snips for cutting vinyl, the worked much better than just a pair of tin snips.

 

[Berg]

I just finished a duplex in vinyl siding.... as was mentioned you don't nail siding but rather hang siding.

I used a Hitachi 1/2 crown staple gun with the nose adjuster for depth of staple. Bar far the best tool for the job. $249 . You might consider it and sell it when done. You could rent one as well but the you are on the "clock" so to speak.
I laid out my spacing from the bottom to see where I would come out at the soffit so I did not end up having to put a one inch piece at the top.

I actually enjoyed doing it.

 

[dipper]

Siding went up pretty well over the weekend. It goes pretty quick once I finished all the trim pieces and started hanging panels. Here's a couple of pics. I still have the gable end walls to finish and then do all the soffit.

Thanks for all the tips. Vinyl is relatively easy to work with and looks good.
-Tim

 

[cw_racefan]

Looks good dipper, nice job!

 

[thefairlaneman]

Its not hard. Everything has to be able to move with heat/cold expansion.Start on the backside to get the feel of the job. You start at the bottom and you MUST USE A LEVEL LINE, to start the first piece. When you hook the next row on the bottom pull up and get it snug. then nail it in. It makes no differance if you do the sofit last.Also layer the pieces so yo dont have several **** joints close together .

 

[michon1]

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