Colonial Smooth Siding starter strip?
blownonfuel
| Posted in Construction Techniques on
Hello. I am about to finally install my colonial smooth hardi siding on my addition but can’t seem to find out if the colonial smooth requires a starter strip at the bottom for a kick out.
I went to the hardi site and the install instructions in general say to install a starter strip but I don’t think I have seen colonial smooth with a kick out at the bottom.
I will be installing this over a water table trim/base if that makes a diference.
Thanks
Replies
All your siding pieces should have the same angle relative to the wall. It looks weird if the bottom piece is flat to the wall. It looks OK to me if it angles out a "little" more than than the rest of the wall.
What I'm saying is yes it needs a starter strip, or the equivalent if you have a water table.
Figure your siding layout. At the top, you will have to rip the final piece. Use the drop for your starter strip. This will kick out the siding the proper amount.
The starter strip shouldn't be wider than the typical overlap. I think your Hardi is 1 3/4" over lap so your starterpiece should be about that. If it's a little less, thats okay. I wouldn't put in anything more than 2" though.
Thanks. I'll put up some pics in a little while just to make sure I will be doing this the right way.
You need a starter strip to make the first piece lay at the same angle as the rest of the wall. Just cut a piece of siding into 1 1/2" or 2" strips and nail it to the bottom of the wall first. Then install your first course on top of this strip and your angle will be the same all the way up. Caution --- be sure to leave enough space so the siding or the starter strip don't come in contact with your bottom trim and can wick up water.
I'm not sure if you are going to have bottom trim.. If not, then disregard the caution note above.
Edited 11/1/2009 1:22 pm ET by retiree
Here are a couple of pics of the water table trim. Should the starter strip be a little wider than the top of the trim? Should the first course overhang the water table trim slightly?Thanks
Run a 1" high x 5/16" starter strip on top of the drip cap. Caulk the top of the drip cap to the starter strip, and bring your felt (or whatever) down over the starter strip to keep moisture from getting behind the water table.
Thank you sir. Will do. Oh, btw, should I extend the first course over the drip cap a little?
Edited 11/1/2009 1:57 pm ET by blownonfuel
Post pics so we can keep you right.
Will do.
I would probably set the first course on the top of the sloped part of the drip cap, but I would go ahead and paint the bottom edge of the siding before hanging it.
Something like this?
I like to cover the starter strip with the housewrap if possible, but yes, that's what I do.
That trim seems to be only 1/4 or 5/16" on the top. The starter strip plus the 1st course will equal 5/8" That will be too large an overhang. I think it would work better if you put the starter strip on first, keeping it 1/4" above the ledge. Then put your trim on. Now start your first course 1/4" above the trim and it will come out 5/16", which is about the same as the top of your trim. I would really prefer a metal Z-strip over the table trim to prevent water penetration between the siding and trim.
I assume your are covering your wall with either felt or some other wall covering prior to the siding?
I'm confused!!!! Is that ledge 1 X 6 trim. I originally thought it was a concrete lip. If it's a 5/4" trimboard, then I think you are installing the watertable trim backwards. Put the long side up and use it as your starter strip. Just keep it up about 1/4" to prevent wicking.
Thanks for the info. I'll post more pics tonight just to make sure I'm on the same page.
When installed it should look like dam inspector drawing. His picture doesn't show the cut on the bottom but that is where the water will drip off.http://dallasmartin.shutterfly.com
He has it right.