Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

Sidingspeak: Siding Components

PART1

A home’s siding can be a very complicated thing. Installing it requires precision, lots of planning, and several different components. Each of these aspects has a corresponding term that most professionals use. As a homeowner, you also have to get used to these terms, since you’ll be the first person to check for problems in case something’s

wrong with your home’s siding.

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

There are two reasons why you’d want to get used to the terms used to identify various siding components: it lets you identify which part of your siding is having an issue, and it will also help you describe the problem to the professional better.

BackerboardGoes between the siding and the wall studs. The backerboard provides a good flat surface that the siding panels can be nailed or stapled to.

UnderlaymentA layer of waterproof material (usually felt) that goes between the wall and the siding panels to keep water from seeping into more vulnerable parts of the wall.

PanelsThe most visible part of the siding, siding panels serve as your wall’s first line of defense against weather and other factors. Panels can be installed vertically (side by side) or horizontal on top of each other.

Butt edgeThe lower part of horizontal siding panels. The butt edges are often shaped in a hook designed to interlock with the panel immediately below it.

Sidingspeak: Siding Components

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

BattenThin strips designed to seal the gaps between adjacent vertical panels

FlashingStrips of metal (in some cases, PVC) designed to prevent water from seeping through

Starter stripA strip of metal or PVC that secures the first row or column of panels.

ChannelStrips of metal located at corners that also help secure siding panels in place. Common types of channels are J and F channels (which are named after their appearance).

Sidingspeak: Siding Components

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

Sidingspeak:Siding Materials & Styles

PART2

There are several different siding styles and materials that can be used to protect a home’s walls. Most of these options get their name from the material used or how the siding panels are installed. Because the style and material will dictate how your home’s walls will look like after the project, you need to learn more about these terms so you can tell your siding professionals

exactly what you want.

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

StuccoA common material used in walls, stucco is a mixture of sand, cement, and water. Some walls use stucco to form a smooth, flat surface on the wall, but the material is prone to developing cracks.

ShinglesUniform pieces of wood, asphalt, or PVC. Shingles are often associated with roofs, but shingles are occasionally used for siding, particularly in homes that are going for a more rustic or classic feel.

PVCStands for Polyvinyl Chloride. PVC is the most common material used for making siding panels. This type of material is more commonly known as Vinyl.

Board and BattenA type of siding style that features vertical panels (the board part) sealed with batten (batten part). Commonly used in structures to give the illusion of extra height.

Materials

Sidingspeak: Siding Materials and Styles

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

ClapboardA type of siding style that features horizontal panels laid out in rows and marked by bold lines at the seams.

LapAlso known as lap siding, this siding style features panels that are overlapped instead of directly side by side (or on top of each other).

Double Wall SidingSiding style that features two layers of siding

Tongue and GrooveType of siding where the bottom edge of a panel fits into a groove on the top edge of the panel directly below it

Shiplap sidingof siding where the bottom edge of a siding panel goes underneath the top edge of the panel (which is notched at the top edge) directly below it, creating a tighter seam.

Sidingspeak: Siding Materials and Styles

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

Sidingspeak:Installation and Technical Terms

PART3

During the siding installation process, you’ll probably hear your siding specialist saying terms while trying to explain what’s wrong with your current siding or how they are going to install your new siding. To spare you the trouble of asking your specialist to explain what each new word means to you, here’s a rundown on some of the most common terms used by the pros pertaining to technical things

that happen during and after installation.

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

SquareUnit of measurement used by most roofing and siding specialists. A square is equal to 100 square feet.

BevelA type of cut where the edge or end of an object is narrower than the rest of it. A good example of a beveled edge would be the edges of shiplap siding, but beveling can also be used on individual panels to alter its appearance.

Miter cutA type of beveled cut designed to accommodate an adjacent part. Usually done to the ends of flashing or starter strips that intersect at a wall joint.

ScoringCreating a groove on a surface of the siding to create a weak point making it easier to split.

CaulkingMaterial used for filling holes in order to form a solid, seamless surface. The same term is also used to refer to the process of applying the material.

Sidingspeak: Installation and Technical Terms

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

LapTo overlap the siding panels (as in lap siding). This is usually done to provide enough room for the siding to expand or contract according to changes in temperature.

CuppingA type of problem that happens to siding panels when they expand at the middle, making them bulge out. Associated with wooden siding panels.

CheckingCracks that appear on cupped wood siding. Can be a major weak point for the panel, potentially causing it to split completely if subjected to strong impacts.

BlisteringAssociated with vinyl siding, bubbling occurs when moisture and air causes the top layer of the siding panels to form air pockets.

Sidingspeak: Installation and Technical Terms

Sidingspeak: Knowing the Language of Siding

TWIN CITIES SIDING PROFESSIONALS664 Transfer Road, St. Paul MN 55114

(651) 967 0873www.TCSidingProfessionals.com