Categories: Siding

Essential Siding Terms Homeowners Need to Know

All home improvement projects require research and careful planning. While looking into your siding options, you may have seen some unfamiliar words. It helps to look into what they mean because it will allow you to discuss your project more easily with your siding contractor

Here are key siding terms every homeowner should know. 

Backerboard

Contractors apply backerboard between the studs and the siding or existing wall surface. This flat material creates a flat surface for vinyl siding installation. 

Buttlock

Your siding stays in place because of the buttlock. It is the bottom part of vinyl siding. 

Channel

Channel is the part of your siding that lets your siding replacement contractor insert another piece of trim or siding. 

Course

The row of siding running the length of an exterior wall is called a course. Several siding courses are used to completely occupy your exterior wall. 

Drip Cap

Also called head flashing, a drip cap is the piece of trim that diverts water away from the upper part of vertical siding.

Double Channel Lineal

Double channel lineal is an accessory that connects two panels of soffit.

Face

After the panels have been installed, “face” is the part of the siding that you see. 

Face Nail

Reputable professionals won’t face nail your siding. This method involves installing the siding by nailing the “face.” Instead of hiding nails, this practice makes them more visible.

Fascia

Fascia conceals the intersection of the upper area of an exterior wall and the roof’s overhanging lower edge. 

Flashing

Professionals install flashing under or behind windows, corner posts and other areas where water protrusion can occur.

Frieze

Frieze joins the soffit to the top of the siding.

Furring Strip

Sometimes, furring strips are secured to a house’s exterior for attaching the siding. Other times, they are used to flatten out exterior surfaces for even siding installation. 

Gable

Gables refer to the triangular areas of a wall where the roof pitch intersects.

Lap

It is where the ends of two panels or accessories overlap to give room for vinyl expansion and contraction.

Miter Joint

Typically, the miter joint is cut at a 45-degree angle. In some cases, soffit is trimmed this way at corners because it looks more pleasing. 

Nail Hem

You’ll find the nailing slots at the nail hem of siding or accessories.

Plumb

Square or plumb refers to objects that are exactly 90 degrees from a level, horizontal surface. To create a perfect 90-degree level between two objects, pros use a speed square. 

Profile

Your siding’s shape is called profile. 

Scoring

It’s when a piece of siding is cut in a way that when bent, it snaps into two pieces with a smooth edge for each piece. 

Shadow Line

The shadow that your siding profile casts is called the shadow line. 

Soffit

It is the area where exterior walls intersect with the roofline. 

Starter Strip

The starter strip keeps the course of siding to the wall.

Weep Holes

The bottom edge of your siding has weep holes to prevent moisture from accumulating between it and the backerboard. 

Turn to Shine Construction, Inc. for superior siding, roof and window replacement services. Call us at (508) 278-3300 or fill out our contact form to get a free quote.  

Shine Construction Team

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