Hi guys.
Been awhile since I’ve been here but have an interesting question regarding vinyl siding. I don’t do a lot of the stuff but when a good customer asks if you can, you reply ” I’d love to”. Anyway, I’ve hired another carpenter to help and he says that all panels over 8′ should be locked in the middle to allow for expansion on both sides, as opposed to letting it expand along its full length in one direction. It goes against everthing I’ve read and heard on the subject. The full panel is supposed to move freely to allow for the expansion but if you think about his reason for locking, it makes alot of sense. The panel will still move, but in two directions.
What are your opinions guys
Gary
Replies
Not a good idea.
Sounds okay at first, "it'll expand both ways".
Problem is, the panel also expands and contracts in height too!!
If you pin it down tight, it can only expand down, which might cause the panel itself to become unlocked from the one below.
When it contracts, you'll see a wrinkle where every panel is pinned down.
Vinyl siding moves a lot; leave the nails a little proud.
--Jay A
I've know guys do what your carpenter suggests. I even think that it has been recommended in a published article in FHB. However, FWIW, The Vinyl Siding Institute offers these recommendations:
Do not drive the head of the fastener tightly
against the nail slot. Leave 1/32"
between the fastener head and the vinyl
(about the thickness of a dime).
¡ Do not force the panels up or down when
fastening. Panel locks should be fully
engaged; however, the panels should not
be under vertical tension or compression
when they are fastened.
¡ Since vinyl siding moves as the temperature
changes, make certain that the vinyl panels can move freely
in a side-to-side direction once fastened.
You can read more at their website: http://www.vinylsiding.org Every box of vinyl siding I have seen references the standards put forth by VSI, so I assume they do not endorse this method.
When I say lock the panel I'm not saying nail it tight. The nails are left proud as is the practice. He just puts two nails in one slot on either side keeping it from going side to side not locking it tight against the foam backing. Should have given that info. As far as the panel moving up and down, it still has that ability.
Gary
Edited 8/28/2007 9:13 pm ET by hartlandboy
Actually, that sounds reasonable. If for some reason, as a panel shrank in the cold, one end was just a little stuck so it pulled everything from the far end, it could move enough to pull out of the channel. By constraining the center you assure that this won't happen.Can't see any downside, so long as the rest of the panel is really free to move.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I agree. We finish the trim and soffit today. Probably jump on the siding first thing in the morning. I like the lock idea. Here in the maritimes we get extreme temp changes so the vinyl moves quite a bit. If I can cut the lateral movement in half over the length of the whole piece by sending a bit each side of center I think it's a great idea.
thanks for the input
Gary
Gary, I know at least one manufacturer (maybe Certainteed?) recommends nailing it that way.
I've never done it tho.
Mike
Vin, I just sided my garage addition. The siding I used had this curl above the nailing flange which when you set the nail you left it just barely touching it. I tried to slide the siding left to right and it moved but It was'nt as easy as I thought. Will this be ok. I wondering if I should have lifted the curl and let the nail go under or just nail on top of curl. I'll send a sample picture of the two ways, Can someone resize it for me and let me know what I should do.
Thanks fellas, Lou
Edited 8/29/2007 7:18 am ET by loucarabasi
don't think it matters as long as the siding can expand & contract freely.